Some places become part of a town’s identity. In Hampstead, one of those places is The Skate Barn, and this month it is celebrating a big milestone. The Skate Barn is turning 30 and inviting the whole community to a free anniversary party, “Skates-giving,” on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, WECT reported on Nov. 10.
Whether you grew up skating there, have kids who are just learning, or you are new to Pender County and looking for ways to connect, here is what to know about the celebration and why spots like this matter to the communities we serve.
Skates-giving: The Details
According to WECT:
- When: All day Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
- Where: The Skate Barn, 155 Pansy Lane, Hampstead
- Cost: Free
- Food: A potluck, with food served from 2 to 5 p.m. The Skate Barn will provide the turkey, and community members are asked to bring a dish to share.
It is a Thanksgiving-style gathering with a skate park twist, and a chance to celebrate a local business that has been part of Hampstead life for three decades.
Thirty Years of The Skate Barn
The Skate Barn opened in 1996. WECT reports that Taylor Maready took over ownership in 2025 after the death of founder Jimmy Ellington. On its website, The Skate Barn describes itself as a staple of the southeastern North Carolina skateboarding scene, owned and operated by skaters, for skaters. It offers a fully enclosed indoor section covered in Skatelite and a full concrete outdoor skate run, a blend the park says makes it one of the few places in the country to offer both surfaces.
General Manager Josh Dunn told WECT the park “is still harboring the new kids all the way to the people who’ve been coming here since the very beginning,” and credited the community for keeping it open. “As a collective we’ve made sure that this place has stayed together, and stayed open, and stayed running these 30 years,” he said.
Visiting The Skate Barn Any Time of Year
If the party sparks your interest, The Skate Barn is open seven days a week. Per its website:
- Hours: Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Price: $8 per person for an all-day pass, with monthly memberships available
- Waiver: Required for anyone who skates, and it can be completed online before you arrive
- Camps and lessons: Offered for skaters who want to learn or level up
Make It a Hampstead Weekend
Nov. 21 is shaping up to be a full day in Hampstead. The same day, the community’s Thanksgiving-week run takes place, covered in our guide to the Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot. And the Christmas in Pender-Onslow Festival of Trees runs Nov. 20 and 21. Pair the run, an afternoon potluck at The Skate Barn and an evening among holiday trees, and you have a true local weekend.
Why Local Gathering Places Matter to Buyers
When people ask us what makes a community feel like home, the answer is rarely just the house. It is places like The Skate Barn, where kids find their crowd, families meet neighbors, and traditions carry on year after year. Hampstead has grown quickly, and new schools, roads and neighborhoods are changing the landscape. Long-running local businesses help keep the small-town character that drew many residents here in the first place.
If you are thinking about a move, our guide to living in Hampstead covers neighborhoods, commutes and everyday life, and our first-time buyer’s guide to Hampstead and east Pender is a great next read.
FAQ: The Skate Barn’s 30th Anniversary
Is Skates-giving free?
Yes. The celebration is free, and guests are invited to bring a dish to share for the potluck.
What time is the food served?
Food is served from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, per WECT. The Skate Barn is providing the turkey.
Do I need to skate to attend?
No. The event is a community party. Anyone who plans to skate the park will need a signed waiver.
When did The Skate Barn open?
It opened in 1996, making 2026 its 30th anniversary.
Love Where You Live
From local traditions to the right neighborhood for your family, we are here to help you find your place in Hampstead and across Pender County. Connect with Aspyre Collective to start the conversation.
