Pump Those Kicks

After sneaker enthusiast Gary Hughes purchased a pair of knock-off Nike Heineken Dunks thinking they were the real deal, he wanted to avoid being ripped off again. So he created a sneaker exchange in a bar ten years ago; now called Dunkxchange, the international traveling sneaker-culture festival comes to Denver...

By Alex Brown

December 5, 2013

Audio By Carbonatix

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After sneaker enthusiast Gary Hughes purchased a pair of knock-off Nike Heineken Dunks thinking they were the real deal, he wanted to avoid being ripped off again. So he created a sneaker exchange in a bar ten years ago; now called Dunkxchange, the international traveling sneaker-culture festival comes to Denver today.

“Denver, to be honest, encompasses all the elements we have for the event,” says Dunkxchange spokesman Antonio Facey. “The city is all about sneakers, music, fashion and definitely the art. We’re really trying to blow up the art side of things.”

The event will feature a live art battle judged by Denver street artist Jolt. Attendees are encouraged to bring up to three pairs of sneakers to exchange with other sneaker heads. Various vendors who travel with the show, along with local shops like Sneaks Indahouse, Family Affair and 303 Boards, will also be a part of the exchange. Local fashion will be showcased, and there will be performances by Pries and the Foodchain.

Dunkxchange runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at the EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th Street. Admission is $10 to $20; go to dunkxchange.com for tickets and information.
Sun., Dec. 8, 2-8 p.m., 2013

Alex Brown is a freelance writer from Denver, Colorado. You can find him around town falling off his skateboard, eating burritos and petting dogs.

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