Grab Your Skates! Iowa City Ice Skating Pond Open, Downtown Skating Rink Available Next Week

Tis' the season for ice skating and here are a few opportunities to get out there and show off your moves.

The City of Iowa City announced today that the small pond and the warming house are available for use at City Park.

Free Downtown Skating Rink

The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) is hosting a free ice-skating party in Downtown Iowa City on Friday, January 11 through Sunday, January 13, 2013. The ice skating rink, recently purchased and presented by Big Ten Rentals, will be located on the idyllic Iowa Avenue between the intersections of Dubuque and Linn Streets. The entire community is invited to bring the whole family Downtown to enjoy the ice rink for the weekend.

The rink will be open Friday (1/11) from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m., Saturday (1/12) 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., and Sunday (1/13) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  The ice rink will be lit for skaters during the evening hours and host food vendors and music.  The City will provide free parking for skaters in the Clock Tower parking garage from 4pm through 10pm on Saturday evening to further support the event.

One Book, Two Book Festival

On Saturday (1/12), the ICDD is partnering with the UNESCO City of Literature "One Book, Two Book" festival, which includes a children’s book fair, face painting, and live performances at various locations across the Downtown, to also bring you some of your favorite children's book characters to the ice rink. Local author Andrew Sherburne, who wrote "Ben and Lucy Play Pond Hockey," will also be present to add to the fun.

This community ice rink event has been presented to you by the generous sponsorship of Big Ten Rentals, the ICDD, Quality Care, Hawkeye Construction & Snow Removal, Iowa City Summer of the Arts and the UNESCO CIty of Literature.  For more information, please contact the Iowa City Downtown District at (319) 354-0863 or info@downtowniowacity.com.