Skate Fest Fun for All Ages and Abilities
Skate fans and even those new to the ice are welcome to take part in Skate Fest at the Riverfront Park Ice Palace on Monday morning.
The free-to-the-public skating event will take place in the ice arena on Jan. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m., with morning registration starting at 8:30. The mid-morning session will offer skaters from novice to advanced a chance to lace up some skates -- also free-of-charge for the two-hour session courtesy of Group Health -- and learn some tips and tricks from local athletes and professional competitors.
"This is a special event and it's part of the festivities for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships," says Paula Keller, events coordinator with Spokane Figure Skating Club, one of the three local ice clubs, including Lilac City and Inland Northwest, to host the session.
In addition to some professional athletes and U.S. Figure Skating Association figures in attendance from the national competition taking place in town, members of all three local skating groups will be on hand to offer instruction at Skate Fest, which is part of the National Skating Month celebrations taking place around the area. The event will also feature prizes, giveaways, autograph sessions and more around the park's pavilion.
A Skate Fest was also held in 2007 during the previous national figure skating championships.
"In 2007, we held a similar event and we had a huge turnout," Keller offers. "It was a big success last time."
From finding the right skate fit to tying them up to getting off the ice, volunteers will cover the gamut in figure skating skill levels and abilities, she adds. And visitors are welcome to stick around after the Zamboni clears the ice for an 11 a.m. public skate session, which, however, isn't free to the public.
Keller's one piece of advice for those interested: get there early for registration. If it was anything like two years ago, she says "I suggest people come early because it will fill up quick."
For more info, visit http://spokanefigureskating.org, or e-mail Paula Keller at paulakisnow@comcast.net