Downtown New London’s first-ever outdoor skating rink being installed this week.
Rink installation happening through Friday, Nov. 18.
New London Main Street, New London’s downtown revitalization organization, is bringing something new to “The District” just in time for the winter holidays!
The Rink at Parade Plaza has arrived for installation. This week (Nov. 14 – 17) work crews are installing the rink from 8am – 4pm. Sub-flooring and surface will be installed through Tuesday and the outer walls and peripheral buildings will be installed through Friday.
People will enjoy skating in the heart of New London’s historic downtown on a 45 x 90 synthetic outdoor skating rink located on Parade Plaza across from Union Station. The rink will have a soft opening Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 26, and a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 3 p.m. during New London Main Street’s holiday festival - Celebration of Lights and Song around the World.
THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION ON DEC. 3
The grand opening ceremony will kick-off with Main Street’s annual Children’s Reindeer & Elf Procession, a parade of families, guest stars such as Steve Elci & Friends (popular children’s band), Princess Fiona of Shrek the Musical and other surprise guests who will lead Santa to Parade Plaza to help start the opening festivities, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony and figure skating performance.
Skating will be open to the public following the figure skating performance at 3:30pm until 10pm. Skaters are encouraged to stay downtown for multi-cultural entertainment, visits with Santa and Sugar Plum Fairy, readings of New London’s The Nutcracker in English and Spanish, restaurant and store specials and the lighting of the downtown holiday tree at 5:30pm with community carol sing along.
Attendees are encouraged to stroll throughout downtown to judge the Windows of the World storefront decorating contest and catch a preview of Eastern CT Ballet’s The Nutcracker in storefront windows.
MORE ABOUT THE RINK AT PARADE PLAZA
The Rink at Parade Plaza will include everything from theme nights such as “Heat Up the Ice” Latin dance Night to Top 40 Hits and Disco Nights. There will be free community open skate times courtesy of a variety of sponsors. The skating rink will be open seven days a week until it closes for the season on February 29, 2012. Shops and restaurants in The District will be extending their hours and offering specials throughout the season for skaters.
Currently scheduled hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 1:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Rental skates and sharpening are available. Skating lessons are available at the ice rink throughout the season.
For more information about The Rink at Parade Plaza, visit www.newlondonwaterfrontdistrict.org or call 860-444-2489.
