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It's said that the early bird catches the worm, but this Saturday, the early bird scores free admission to ice skate at Wollman Rink. The first 75 skaters at the door on Saturday, January 25, will get into the rink for free as Wollman Rink celebrates its 75th birthday. The rink opens at 10am, so prepare to get there early!
Even if you don't nab free admission, skating this Saturday promises a nostalgia-packed experience with an interactive photographic journey through Wollman Rink's storied history, plus classic treats inspired by the past seven decades.
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A birthday party wouldn't be complete without sweet treats, of course. So to celebrate the occasion, there will be a retro-inspired candy bar that takes skaters on a sweet journey through the last seven decades. The Café located in The Clubhouse will also serve free hot chocolate, an ice skating staple that never goes out of style.
As for entertainment, skaters will be treated to performances by members of The Skating Club of New York and Ice Theatre of New York, who will perform special routines at 12pm and 2pm. Those performances harken back to the rink's opening day in 1950 when skaters from the Junior Skating Club of New York took to the ice for a festive performance.
Though this weekend's festivities celebrate 75 years, ice skating has been a part of Central Park's DNA for much longer. In fact, original drawings by Central Park's star designers Olmsted and Vaux labeled a body of water in the park as a "skating pond;" skating quickly became a popular wintertime activity for for New Yorkers.
"When Wollman Rink opened in 1950, it was a pivotal moment for outdoor recreation in New York City," Bret Pidgeon, general manager of Wollman Rink, said in a press release. "The opening of Wollman Rink provided skaters with a safe and accessible space to create lasting memories on the ice, which is a legacy that has been present over the last 75 years and one we hope to continue for years to come."
More birthday celebrations will continue throughout the year and will be announced at wollmanrinknyc.com.