Skate park fulfills artist’s dream of creating world’s largest inedible breakfast
Don’t expect breakfast at Washington’s newest landmark even though it has what might be the world’s biggest piece of bacon.
Four years after planning began in earnest, a Wilkeson artist has realized his vision of creating Washington’s newest roadside attraction — and you can skateboard on it.
“It’s my dream come true,” creator John Hillding said Thursday as he looked over a 50-foot-wide frying pan holding a 30-foot-long strip of bacon and two eggs, sunny side up. “It’s bigger than I had imagined.”
The world’s largest non-edible breakfast is made of concrete and is a combo art project and skate park. On Thursday, several boys and a couple of older skaters past their prime were rolling around the pan like melting balls of butter.
Only two weeks since it was completed, it’s already drawing the curious.
“This is one of the most creative things I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Californian and lifelong skater John Jacobs, 59, who diverted from Interstate 5 while headed home to Tehachapi. He had seen social media posts about the Wilkeson attraction in various skate groups to which he belongs.
“It’s kind of blowing up,” Jacobs said, skateboard in hand. “Pictures of it are all over the place.”
Hillding, 77, an artist known for making larger-than-life inflatable pop art pieces, began his quest to create the monumental sculpture after he was inspired by an element of the neighboring skate park. It had a wavy feature that bears a passing resemblance to bacon.
Soon, Hillding had a vision for an entire skillet of breakfast foods that could double as a skate park. Hillding ran his idea by Seattle-based Grindline Skateparks, the creator of the original park.
Grindline said they could handle any Grand Slam breakfast Hillding could imagine.
The town of Wilkeson secured a $25,000 grant and then threw in another $25,000. Hillding raised $8,500. In December, construction began. A hoped for spatula was scrapped due to costs.
The final staining, which gives the bacon its realistic meaty look and the eggs a farm-fresh yellow, was completed in early April.
The frying pan and its high cholesterol subjects attract more than just teen skaters.
“It’s fun to see moms with their little kids and scooters, and they’re just rolling over the eggs,” Hillding said.
Austin Merryman, 12, of Graham was taking his first spin in the pan Thursday.
“It’s way different,” said Austin, who skates daily. “You can do a lot of tricks on it, like air and stuff.”
Austin used his skill to fly repeatedly off the pan’s handle and land on the wavy bacon. A few times he crashed into the pan. Don’t worry, it’s non-stick.
There are always critics, and one of them on Thursday was Wyatt Cowan, 15.
“It’s hard to adapt to, coming from other parks,” Cowan said.
The Buckley teen was surveying the scene while propped up by crutches. He recently injured his knee at another skate park.
The roadside attraction will undoubtedly become a must-have selfie for people headed to Mount Rainier National Park on state Route 165 or to get a pizza at The Carlson Block.
“I lived in the Carlson for 37 years, and we had a skateboard half pipe in the first floor of the hotel,” said Hillding, himself a former skateboarder.
The Foothills Trail passes next to the skate park, offering a bird’s-eye view of the new landmark.
On Thursday, a couple walking on the trail spotted the frying pan and stopped. After a few minutes of staring and pointing, they continued their walk.
This story was originally published April 18, 2021 at 5:05 AM.
