Newport Waterfront Events invites one and all to come enjoy a festive celebration with a sprinkle of holiday magic at the Grand Re-Opening of the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI and 34TH Annual Tree Lighting, to take place on Friday, December 11th at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center.
The illumination of the 20-foot evergreen tree, donated this year by Nathan Lister and Nagetuck Tree Farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island, along with Santa & The Elves, carolers, free cocoa and cookies from Stop & Shop, the debut of the Havens Brothers Concessions Food Truck and skating performances with the Island Skating Academy, mark the traditional kick-off to Newport’s holiday and skating season. Entry to the event, sponsored by Peregrine Group, will be hosted by LITE Rock 105’s Amy Pontes, is free.
The rink’s first public skate of the season will immediately follow the event until 9:00 p.m., depending on weather and ice conditions, with admission $7 for adults and $5 for kids 11 and under. An Adult Skate is scheduled from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
“The holidays are all about ‘doing for others’ but those sentiments came a little early for the Newport Skating Center this year. I am so proud of this community and grateful for the companies, organizations and individuals around the state and especially here in Newport who played a part in making the return of the Skating Center a reality,” said Michele Maker Palmieri, President and CEO of Waterfront Productions, the parent company of Newport Waterfront Events. “We encourage everyone to come catch the holiday spirit, take a spin on the ice and once again enjoy our winter wonderland in downtown Newport!”
Santa Clause is looking forward to meeting everyone who comes to celebrate, as well as listen to what the children are hoping they see under their own tree. Kids can download a wish list form at skatenewport.com and fill it out at home or there will be forms available at the rink to present to the man in the red suit! Holiday carols sung by Salve Regina University’s popular female a cappella group, Pitches with Attitude, and DJ Nook will add to the festive mood.
Other key upcoming events at the Newport Skating Center include:
The BankRI Coat Drive from December 11th, 2015 to January 4th, 2015. Donate new or gently used coats to help those in need this winter. Each donor will receive a pass for 2 for 1 admission to the rink. Coats received will benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport.
Skate With Santa on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. complete with complimentary hot cocoa and Santa of course! He will be visiting with all the kids after he skates so bring the camera!
Ugly Sweater Date Night on Friday, December 18th, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and enjoy 2 for 1 skating admission if you show up in an ugly holiday sweater.
Win free tickets to the ‘Home Alone’ 25th Anniversary Special Screening at the Jane Pickens Theater & Events Center set for Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Just sign up for Newport Skating Center updates, follow us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram and Newport Waterfront Events will randomly pick winners of movie passes or skate passes each week through December 21st. The
Learn to Skate Program, directed by professional skater, Meghan Lamarre, is once again being offered by the Island Skating Academy for beginner and advanced students. Check out www.islandskatingacademy.com to learn more about the programs and skate camp.
Nightly specials at the rink return this year and include: Free Skate Nights on Mondays courtesy of ALEX AND ANI and Wednesdays thanks to Cox Communications (not offered during the holidays or during school vacation); Stop & Shop Night on Tuesdays sponsored by Stop & Shop when skaters receive 2-for-1 admission with a Stop & Shop card; and People’s Credit Union Family Fun Night on Thursdays with discounted admission.
The Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI, located at the Newport Yachting Center at 4 Commercial Wharf, first opened in 2000 and features a 9,000 square foot skating surface large enough to accommodate up to 100 skaters at a time. Skate rentals, hot beverages, comfort foods, lighting for night skating, regular admission discounts, FREE parking and viewing spaces for the public are also featured at the rink. Frequent Skater Cards and Season Passes. are available for stocking stuffers and can be purchased at the rink.
The skating center’s Season Schedule, which includes all days EXCEPT school vacations and holidays, is Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with an Adult Skate session from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon – 5:00 p.m.; Newport County School Vacation and Holiday Skating Schedule hours will run Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Friday from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Adult Skate); and Sunday from noon – 9:00 p.m.
General three-hour skate admission passes are just $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children between 3-11 years of age. Children under 3 are free with an adult. Passes for Adult Skate hours are $5 each. Skate rentals are also available on site from $3 -$5, as is skate sharpening for $5. Season passes, Frequent Skater Savings Cards and group rates are also available. For those interested in hosting a party on the ice, the skating center also offers group discounts and private rentals.
The rink failed to open last winter due to the sale of the Newport Yachting Center by Newport Harbor Corporation to Scott’s Wharf. In the spirit of cooperation, the Newport Harbor Corporation agreed to donate the skating rink equipment and assets to Newport Waterfront Events while Scott’s Wharf, LLC, a division of Peregrine Group, is providing the Newport Skating Center’s former space at the Newport Yachting Center for the coming skating season.
This year’s partners/sponsors of the Newport Skating Center presented by ALEX AND ANI include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Peregrine Group/Scott’s Wharf, LLC, Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group, Stop & Shop, Cox, RIPTA, People’s Credit Union, Haven Brothers Concessions Food Truck, Viti Auto Group, Rob Levine & Associates, Discover Newport, BankRI. Amica Insurance, Think Thin, KVH, NAVSTA Newport Homes, Cumulus Radio, Hyatt Regency Newport, Aquaball, Roger Williams Park Zoo. Community Partners include Island Skating Academy, Bowens Wharf Company, Bannisters Wharf, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Blackstone Caterers, Style Newport, Admiral Fitzroy Inn, Jane Pickens Theater, What’s Up Newp, William “Mr. Bill” Medeiros, and Newport Lobster.