Local Events, Things to Do »

Move over Rockefeller Center, tonight the Worcester Common Oval will be officially open for skating.  As part of the annual Worcester Festival of Lights the rink is finally opening for public ice skating.  Even without the rink this event is a must for Holiday fans.  The festivities will open with singing of course brought to you by the Seven Hills Show Choir and other local chorus groups from the Worcester Schools.  More details per the City of Worcester press release include:

The holiday tree lighting is scheduled to take place at 5:45 PM and then children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa on the Worcester City Hall Plaza. The ceremonial first skate will be led by members of Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Greater Springfield and North Section Bowling, Sailing and Skating, as well as members of the Worcester Junior Sharks Youth Hockey, Skate Club of Worcester, North Star Figure Skating Club, Colonial Figure Skating Club, Why Me/Sherry’s House, Becker College Ice Hawks, the College of the Holy Cross Women’s Ice Hockey, Assumption College Ice Hockey Team and Finz. The Colonial Figure Skating Club’s 2013 New England Regional Champions and 2013 Eastern Sectional Competitors will cap-off the procession with a mini-skate show performance for attendees.

It will be pretty cold tonight with temperatures being forecast in the 20′s and low 30′s with possible snow flurries so dress accordingly.  Making sure the kids are ready for the weather will allow them to enjoy the events as well as the skating that will be open to the public from 6:30 to 8:00.  Also be sure to bring a toy gift for Toys for Tots if you are able.  One of the things I enjoy so much about the holidays is the spirit of giving so if you can, give.

Worcester’s City Manager Michael V. O’Brien touts this as “another success story for our Downtown”.  I can’t agree with him more.  Making downtown Worcester a destination for family friendly activities will keep people in town after work and will also attract people from other Central Mass towns.  For the ice skating please note that Skate Rentals will be available for $3, admission is $2 and children 6 and younger can skate for free.  More details about the Worcester Common Oval Schedule and tonight’s Worcester Festival of Lights can be found at the below links.

Worcester Common Skating on the Oval

 Worcester Mass Festival of Lights

Here is a video announcing the skating festivities for tonight’s opening of the oval and a quick view of the Worcester Oval as it stands today ready for skating.