By ROBERT JUMPER
ONE FEATHER EDITOR
A unique feature of the Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas event at the Fairgrounds will be a synthetic ice skating rink.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 28, the rink will be open for skating. Hours of operation will mirror event hours. There will be plenty of time for fun on the ice. Cherokee Lights and Legends is scheduled to open Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day, then every Wednesday through Saturday until Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015J (except Christmas Eve and Christmas day).
The ticket to skate is $3 for 30 minutes (in addition to the $5 admission fee to the event). There will 30 minute segments of skating to minimize confusion and ensure that everyone gets a fair amount of time on the ice. There will be a 15 minute break between skating sessions.
Persons wishing to bring their own skates may skate at a rate of $2 for 30 minutes. The rink has been constructed on the Fairgrounds and is made of a synthetic material. The regular hockey type skates are ok, but figure skates may not be used.
According to www.futureskate.net, “Synthetic skating rinks are made to simulate real ice as closely as possible, while delivering the best, most economic system available… All components are thoroughly tested and carefully engineered to make installation and removal as easy as possible, and…to provide a unique skating experience for many years, no matter what the season.”
Marty Coyne, president of Future Skate, was in Cherokee to oversee the Fairgrounds installation. He said, “This is an awesome opportunity for us. I appreciate the opportunity that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has afforded us and working with Frieda, Howard and the Fairgrounds staff. I know this will be something that will have a lot of use”.
In addition to the skating rink, custom Christmas lighting, food and craft vendors, carnival rides will be available, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, glass house, giant slide and pony rides.
Community nights will be Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Dec. 6, and Wednesday, Dec. 31. Enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and any other federally recognized tribe will just need to show their enrollment card or other proof of enrollment at the front gate.
30 minute Ice Skating sessions starting at 6:30pm
Friday, Nov. 28
1st session – 6:15pm
2nd session – 7:00pm
3rd session – 7:45pm
4th session – 8:30pm
Saturday, Nov. 29
1st session- 5:30pm
2nd session – 6:15pm
3rd session – 7:00pm
4th session – 7:45pm
5th session – 8:30pm
6th session – 9:15pm
Wednesday, Dec. 3
1st session- 5:30pm
2nd session – 6:15pm
3rd session – 7:00pm
4th session – 7:45pm
5th session – 8:30pm
For more information on Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas, contact Frieda Huskey 554-6492 or Howard Wahnetah 554-6471.
