Help me plan an event in the Midwest

We're planning a rail jam in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and I'm looking for ideas on prizes. It seems that no one has extra cash lying around these day so I'm trying to get creative. What would it take to get the best riders in the Midwest to drive over for an event? $100? $1000? Has anyone ever seen any creative prizes? I hate giving away a wakeboard or a life jacket because you never end up with something that fits or is your style of board. Any ideas?

What about some older boards that have no need to be ridden anymore? Get a couple of boards that were considered good back in the day, and present them as trophies with a little plaque attached? Skurfers are the new Mareks.

"If you build it, they will come"

If you make an incredible rail park, people will show up!

Traveling to these events costs a good bit of money, and if there is not an economic incentive (cash, expensive boards) then there must be an emotional incentive (such as the opportunity to hit as awesome rail park).

Good Wakeboard and Wakeskate rails are hard to come by. If you build a lot of really large and fun rails, then people will have a reason to show up...

But Cash is still King. Last year, the Adventure Games in Deep Creek, MD was having some trouble getting some good riders to show up to their event, then they got a shop to pitch in $2,000 a cash purse. Once that was announced, people from as far as the state of Indiana showed up to compete. Here are some pictures I took from the event: http://www.wakeboardpittsburgh.com/2008/07/adventure-games-at-deep-creek-lake/

$1000 would do it. or a winch, or both