88 Acres of Anarchy- Launched July 24, 2018 - Full multimedia experience: audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - Skatopia is an Appalachian farm where hardcore skating, punk rock and hillbilly culture collide. Mad-Max style demolition derbies and spontaneous car burning partners with 24/7 skate sessions. Tony Hawk calls Skatopia a 'rite of passage' for hardcore skaters. Skatopia's owner, Brewce Martin, dreamed of a place where he could live and breathe skating, a place where people forget their 'outside' lives by diving into high speed insanity. This eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio is owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin. For almost 20 years its been known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual skate and music festivals 'Bowl Bash' and 'Backwoods Blowout.' Heavy metal and punk bands from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, play at the barn that is the center of activity. On one side, there's a stage, and the other, a deep bowl for skating that's known either as the 'Epcot Bean' or the 'Punisher.' One week before Bowl Bash XIV, Martin was severely injured by an explosion at a local tire shop which put him in an extended coma. Since the injury things at Skatopia have settled down a little, signs appeared cracking down on the use of heavy explosives and discharging firearms and he has also discouraged the burning of cars. Martin's son Brandon is an anarchist, and a proponent of 'Natural Law' - which operates on the idea that people can work together to figure out whats best for themselves without a state based authority setting the rules. As for Skatopia's future, Brandon wants to invite speakers to share his anarchist philosophy. Skatopia is for those who wish to live the way they want without feeling trapped by todays modern society.
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June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - An attendee of Bowl Bash Skatopia 2017 was sharpied after he passed out from partying. While skate culture is predominant, drinking and substance use are main draws for many who visit Skatopia. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
July 13, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - A skater sleeps in his car after a hard night of skating and partying.
© Michael McElroy/ZUMA Wire
July 13, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - A skater competes in the best trick contest in the Lula bowl at the annual Bowl Bash at Skatopia.
© Michael McElroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - A car is destroyed before they set it on fire at Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - A car on fire burns in the background during Bowl Bash Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
October 28, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - People flip over a car before they set it on fire at Backwoods Blowout Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as ''a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as ''a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
July 13, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Two attendees at Skatopia's Bowl Bash play in the mud.
© Michael McElroy/ZUMA Wire
July 13, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - A skater performs a Backside ollie in the Lula Bowl at Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Bombing the hill at Bowl Bash Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - An attendee celebrates on top of the bonfire at Skatopia Bowl Bash 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Revelers party around a bonfire. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Attendees party by the bonfire on the last night of Bowl Bash 2017. A common practice at Skatopia is the burning of cars. The younger Martin used to think it was a Freudian thing where people were trying to release from the materialistic world. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Bailing out the Lula Bowl Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
October 27, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Old skateboard wheels Skatopia 2017. Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, OH, USA - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as ''a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society. (pictured) With the help of a band of men who live on his property, Brewce has built an elaborate cement skate park in the middle of rural Meigs County, Ohio.
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 23, 2017 - Rutland, OH, USA - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as ''a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society. (pictured) With the help of a band of men who live on his property, Brewce has built an elaborate cement skate park in the middle of rural Meigs County, Ohio.
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
June 24, 2017 - Rutland, OH, USA - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as ''a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society. (pictured) Skatopia founder Brewce Martin MC’ing the festivities. With the help of a band of men who live on his property, Brewce has built an elaborate cement skate park in the middle of rural Meigs County, Ohio.
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
October 28, 2017 - Rutland, Ohio, U.S. - Skatopia is an eighty-eight acre skatepark near Rutland, Ohio owned and operated by pro skater Brewce Martin and his son Brandon Martin. Skatopia is known for its anarchist atmosphere and annual music festivals Bowl Bash and Backwoods Blowout. It was described by one writer as 'a demented mess that meets halfway between an anarchistic Mad Maxian Thunderdome and a utopian skateboard society.'
© Michael Mcelroy/ZUMA Wire
