Sacramento’s ice rink is back for its 33rd holiday season on the corner of 7th and K streets, providing an entertainment option for skaters of all ages and encouraging economic activity in the city’s downtown core through mid January.
Amelia Chew, events manager with the Sacramento Downtown Partnership, played a large part in setting up this years’ rink.
She told CapRadio that the rink is ready to handle the 40,000 or so visitors they expect throughout fall and winter.
“Our rink is in the heart of downtown. We are just one addition to anyone’s holiday tour while down here,” she said. “ We’ve become an integral part of the community’s holiday tradition, so we really hope to see those numbers come back this year.”
The holiday programs at the ice rink include multiple events on and off the ice.
According to Chew, one of their most popular events – Princess and Superhero Day – is fast approaching on Nov. 15.
“That’s a great one for honestly all ages,” she said. “You get to skate with Elsa and you get to skate with Spiderman.”
For those who have two left feet, Chew said that they are hosting crafting workshops off the ice at the picnic bench spaces next to the rink, as well as performances for people to watch.
One of those performances includes a “Drag Queens on Ice” on Dec. 12, which manifested through a partnership between the Sacramento Downtown Partnership and local nonprofit Court of the Great Northwest Imperial Empire, which supports Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community.
“ They are bringing out some queens to not only do a little show for us, but then to skate with us,” Chew said.
Outside of events, the rink serves as a place for some to practice their craft, like Westlake Charter School student Elijah Bustamante. She has been figure skating for a year and has been going to the rink almost daily since it opened on November 6.
The rink gives her a place to practice that’s less congested than the others in the county.
“ There’s not a lot of rinks out here. There’s one in Roseville and one in Vacaville and that’s it,” Bustamante said. “They’re both indoors and they’re always packed because it’s the only two in the area, and I love when this one opens up.”
For those who only skate seasonally, the cost of admission includes a pair of rental skates, the sizes ranging between a youth 8 to a men’s size 15.
The rink is also well-suited for beginners trying to get their bearings– such as the reporter assigned to this story.
11-year-old Piper Hocking gave CapRadio a lesson.
“You want to go off of your toe pick, at the front of your shoe,” Hocking instructed. “Then once you get the first little glide, when you push your foot out, you kind of want to turn your foot out.”
Hocking has been coming to the rink with her dad since she was 5-years-old.
“I do ice skating for fun and sometimes my dad teaches me things, like going backwards,” she said.
The rink will remain a fixture on Ali Youseffi square until January 19. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. as weather permits. Skaters of all levels can hit the ice for $15 at general admission price and $8 for ages 6 and under.
More information on discounts, events and the skating schedule can be found here.
Disclaimer: No CapRadio reporters were harmed on the ice in the making of this article.
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