Rabbitman Extravaganza returns to skate park

ALBANY — The Rabbitman’s End of the School Year Extravaganza, back at the 125 College Drive business that is connected to the Albany Skate Park after a two-year COVID-forced cancellation, will return Saturday, but with a bittersweet vibe hanging over the day of fun.

While owner Tony Williams, who with his sister Grindal Laster — the Rabbit Lady — runs the Albany shoe repair shop that is a landmark Albany business, says he is excited to bring the school’s-out event back, there will be a tinge of something-missing in the air.

“We’re holding this year’s Extravaganza in honor of our brothers, Johnny and Elijah, who both passed unexpectedly in the last six months,” Williams said. “They loved to do this every year, and you know how much it meant to Johnny. They both went peacefully within a few days of each other.”

The Williams siblings’ brother, Cornelius Williams, who runs a Rabbitman shop in Columbia, S.C., said the Extravaganza has always been a family event.

“Johnny and Elijah were always a big part of this,” he said. “It’s going to be strange without them here.”

Still, the Williamses vow, the annual end-of-school event is going to be as big as — if not bigger than — ever. Along with free food, prizes, giveaways and access to the skate park, special guests will be on hand to encourage young attendees.

“We have boxer Oshea Jones, who was a bronze medalist at the Olympics and a gold medalist at the Pan-Am Games,” Tony Williams said. “And Bobby Jackson from the NFL is going to be here.

“We’ll have skateboard competitions … just a fun day for the kids to kick off their summer.”

The Williamses started the Extravaganza shortly before moving into the College Drive building adjacent to the skate park. Their desire to “do something for the young folks here” led to the daylong event that has grown each year.

“We first thought of doing this around Easter, but there was so much going on then,” Tony Williams said. “Then we started looking at a back-to-school event, but, again, there was so much going on. We finally got around to doing it after school let out, as a way to kick off the summer.

“The event has grown every year, and we hope that, after missing two years because of COVID, everyone will be ready for this year’s Extravaganza. We want kids from all the area schools to come on out and have a great time.”

The Rabbitman’s Extravaganza kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until 4 p.m.

Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher