Hows this for timing? The Panasonic Open kicked off on June 21, which is what else, but International Go Skateboarding Day. There are skate events, fundraisers, contests, protests, demonstrations, and massive sessions going down in cities all over the world, but its no coincidence that many of the best skaters in the world are gathered here today in Baltimore.

Charm City is a great place to be for Go Skateboarding Day check out the video archives from Charm City Skatepark for some great local action. Rolling into Camden Yards Sports Complex this morning, kids could be seen skating all over the streets; stoked!

Open Qualifiers for the Skate Park and Skate Vert events went down earlier today, and Prelims action in both events will be going down this evening. Australian skater Jake Brown claimed the top spot in the Vert Qualifiers, and Brazilian skater Carlos De Andrade won the Skate Park Qualifier, proving that skateboarding has come a long, long way from its coastal California roots. Other skaters on the Dew Tour will be representing from France, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Spain, and Israel. International Go Skateboarding Day, indeed!

Of course, folks around here will be more interested in the hometown heroes; two-time Dew Tour champ Bucky Lasek is a Baltimore native and continues to be the biggest threat in Skate Vert, and street skater Rodney Jones is a Charm City legend, sponsored by Pramus, a terrific local skateshop in Baltimores Station North Arts District.

Stay tuned right here for full coverage of tonights Skate Park and Skate Vert Prelims, and for the big show on Friday when Skate Park goes down and as well as on Saturday with Skate Vert Finals. If you havent done so already, or even if you have, now would be a good time to step away from your computer and Go skateboarding! As if you needed an international holiday for inspiration.