Zack Schlemmer 
Last night Vans kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration by throwing themselves some epic birthday parties at House of Vans locations in New York City and Austin, Texas. The main event was at House of Vans Brooklyn, where a performance by hip-hop legend Nas headlined a night filled with free drinks, pizza, and burgers (served up by Steve Van Doren himself), along with appearances by Vans skateboarding legends and current pros. A special museum-like display was also enjoyed by all as they walked in, featuring an array of rare and classic Vans models and ephemera on display. Meanwhile in Austin at this year’s SXSW music festival, Vans presented a retrospective of their various music-related collaborations throughout the years from bands including Motorhead, Bad Brains, and Public Enemy, while Erykah Badu serenaded the crowd. Check out a photo recap of the 50th birthday bashes, and expect plenty more from Vans throughout their anniversary year.
