The Huntsville Museum of Art and presenting sponsor Redstone Federal Credit Union are excited to announce the return of Skating in the Park for its ninth year. The annual event will bring some much-needed holiday cheer to downtown Huntsville. The outdoor ice-skating rink officially opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, with opening remarks by Mayor Tommy Battle. The rink will be open through Sunday, January 10.
“We are thrilled to open our ninth season of Skating in the Park,” said Foundation Board President Stephanie Lowe. “While this year has its own unique challenges, the City of Huntsville, our sponsors, and the Museum Board and Staff are working incredibly hard to make this event a safe and fun activity for our community. We are grateful for the continued support to make this holiday tradition a success and bring some normalcy to this holiday season.”
Skating in the Park was created nine years ago to welcome families to downtown Huntsville while fundraising to support the Huntsville Museum of Art. The rink’s policies have been updated this year due to COVID-19. To mitigate the virus’s spread, the rink will be limited to 125 skaters at a time. Masks will also be required by all patrons and employees while inside Skating in the Park’s boundaries. Social distancing should be practiced when possible. Employees will wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant every 90 minutes and will disinfect all skates and scooters when they are returned.
“Skating in the Park brings our community together each year to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Huntsville,” said Museum Director of Development Andrea Petroff. “After a year filled with uncertainty, we need this family-fun event now more than ever. We are proud to host this outdoor event with a focus on keeping our guests and skaters safe as they enjoy their time on and around the ice. Skating in the Park enriches our economy by bringing more people downtown to enjoy all the unique happenings in our flourishing city. There are so many incredible holiday traditions in Huntsville each year, and I’m ecstatic to include Skating in the Park in a group of festivities that brings so much joy to North Alabama.”
Located directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring Park, Skating in the Park will be open seven days a week, including holidays. Rink hours change at different points of the season and can be found at hsvmuseum.org. Admission will be $15 for ages 10 and up; $10 for ages 9 and under; $13 for groups of 10 or more; and $5 for a scooter rental. There is a $5 discount for those who bring their own skates, and visitors who show their skating wristbands may take advantage of a 20% discount at the Museum Store.
Be sure to follow the Facebook and Instagram pages, @skatinginthepark, to stay updated on all Skating in the Park events and any weather-related closings or delays.