Winter Park has installed an outdoor ice skating rink right near Central Park. I went to the opening ceremonies on Saturday. The rink is perhaps 20 yards long and 10 yards wide. It is enclosed in a party tent which protects the ice from the direct sunlight. Even so the temperature was in the 80’s so it must be quite an effort to keep the rink open in the heat. Teenagers in blue vests were always on the rink to help anyone who fell down. It was fun to watch because lets face it not many native Floridians are talented skaters. People were falling down left and right. I sat at the top of some metal bleachers that were set up on the side lines. I should note that I had no desire to skate myself. I have week ankles and that ice is slippery! Skate rentals were $10 for all day. The rink was installed as part of “Winter in the Park Holiday Festivities“.Besides the rink itself there was an old fashioned sleigh set up with a photographer to take family pictures. In the background of my sketch you can see a group of skaters leaning against the rail who have gathered to watch an abridged performance by the Orlando Ballet School of “The Nutcracker”. A makeshift stage was erected directly behind the skating rink where sugar plume fairies and a troupe of dancers dressed like flamenco dancers performed. Everyone looks beautiful at the Ballet. I am sure the graceful dancing must have inspired the ice skaters. Most skaters however struggled just to stay upright, forget about pirouetting or standing on point.
The rink will be open Monday to Thursday 3 PM to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 10PM and Sunday Noon to 6 PM. Don’t ask me when the ice might melt.