Huntsville, Ala – It’s time to dust off those ice skates, Huntsville! The Huntsville Museum of Art and Lead Sponsor Redstone Federal Credit Union are excited to announce the return of the fourth annual Skating in the Park. The ice rink will open Friday, November 20, at 4 p.m. and run through January 4, 2016.

Located directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Downtown Huntsville, the rink will be open seven days a week, including holidays. Concessions and outdoor restrooms will be available on site. Special skate events are also planned, such as Skating Nights with the Huntsville Chargers and Havoc, the second annual youth hockey tournament, and a Skate with Santa. (Dates TBA)

“Skating in the Park has become a holiday tradition for Huntsville residents and visitors to the Rocket City,” Christopher J. Madkour, Museum Executive Director, said. “It is very rewarding to see downtown so alive and full of families,” Madkour added, “and we can’t thank the City of Huntsville and our loyal sponsors enough for their continued support in helping to make this happen.”

The Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art, under the leadership and guidance of Board President Dane Block, first presented the ice skating rink during the 2012-2013 holiday season to help raise funds for the Museum. Since that first year, Skating in the Park has attracted more than 34,000 skaters, not to mention thousands of spectators, to Big Spring Park.

“We are extremely excited to present our fourth season of skating,” Dabsey Maxwell, current Foundation Board President, said. “This event is a major collaborative effort between sponsors, the City, the Museum board and staff, and we thank everyone who has helped create this tradition in our community.” Maxwell added that with the addition of a 2002 Mini Zamboni, or ice resurfacer, this year, the rink staff will be better able to keep the ice in good skating condition.

HOURS
Rink hours will be Monday through Thursday 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. The rink will open with extended hours during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday and during the area schools’ Christmas break. The rink will open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on November 23-26. On Black Friday as well as Saturday, November 28, the rink will open from 10 a.m. until midnight. Visitors can also skate on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from 2 until 10 p.m.

ADMISSION
Admission will be $10 per person for ages 9 and up, $5 for ages 8 and under, and $8 per person for groups of 10 or more. Skaters have the option to rent skates for $3 and scooters for $5. Skaters may also use their own ice skates.

Following the Thanksgiving break and prior to the release of Huntsville City Schools’ students for the winter break, the museum will offer AREA SCHOOL GROUPS discounted rates: $8 per student for ages 9 and up (which includes skates and scooter rentals) and $5 per student for ages 8 and under (including skates and scooter rentals) on Monday through Wednesday. Dates for this special school rate are Monday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 2; Monday, Dec. 7 – Wednesday, Dec. 9; and Monday, Dec. 14 –
Wednesday, Dec. 16. No reservations are necessary to schedule a school group skate, but schools with questions should contact Andrea Petroff at apetroff@hsvmuseum.org or 256-535-4350 ext. 214.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES ON ICE
To inquire about scheduling a Birthday Party on ICE, event, or other group outing, interested persons should email Candace Bean at cbean@hsvmuseum.org, or call 256-535-4350 ext. 223.

Additional financial support for Skating in the Park was provided by Rosemary and Joe Lee, Progress Bank, Propst Properties, and SEA Wire and Cable, Inc. Media partners include WAAY-TV, Mix96.9, Cumulus, Alabama Media Group/al.com/The Huntsville Times, BBD Graphics, and Our Valley Events.

For more information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call 256-529-7995 for the rink’s direct line or 256-535-4350 for the museum’s main line. Weather related closings and delays will be posted on the Skating in the Park Facebook page at www.facebook.com/skatinginthepark. The public may also follow the fun on Skating in the Park’s new Instagram site at skatinginthepark or by searching for #skatinginthepark.

###