Lace up your skates, Milwaukee!
Ice skating returns to Red Arrow Park's Slice of Ice rink, 920 N. Water St. on Friday, Jan. 5!
"We are so excited to announce the opening of Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park, and welcome all to come join us in the amazing experience of gliding beneath Milwaukee's open skies," said Milwaukee County Parks Director, Guy Smith.
"Come skate and create memories in our frozen wonderland in the heart of Milwaukee!"
Skating is free if you have your own skates. If you don't, skate rentals are $8 a pair for ages 17 and under, $11 a pair for adults, and $5 a pair for pre-scheduled school and nonprofit groups. Rentals will be available whenever the rink is open.
Skate sharpening will also be available for $6.25.
County Parks will also sell snacks, hot chocolate, coffee and bottled beverages when the rink is open.
Skate helpers will return this year for a $1 rental fee and $5 refundable deposit or photo ID, courtesy of the Milwaukee Admirals. ADA ice sleds for skaters with mobility impairments are free on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Holiday decor this year in the park was created by by Christina Persika of Persika Design Co.
Slice of Ice will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. in January and February.
For more info on scheduling later in the season and organized group skates, visit SliceofIce.com.
“Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park is a cherished winter tradition in our community, and I invite all Milwaukee County families, children, residents, and visitors to take part in this special ice-skating adventure,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
“Thank you to our Milwaukee County Parks staff for once again hosting this family-friendly activity in Downtown Milwaukee for folks to enjoy throughout the season.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
