Construction will begin in less than four months on the largest Downtown outdoor ice rink in the state of North Carolina as Greensboro’s center city hosts the second annual WFMY News2 Piedmont WinterFest. The centerpiece of the eight-week, holiday event is a temporary outdoor ice skating rink that will be 65 feet wide by 85 feet long, making the rink bigger than similar outdoor facilities in Raleigh and Charlotte. Skating and other events will take place at the Price Bryan Performance Place at Festival Park in Downtown Greensboro.
“We are excited to bring back the WFMY News 2 Winterfest for its second year,” said festival organizer Elijah Lovejoy, with Renovo Designs, LLC. “The rink attracted nearly 30,000 visitors in its first year and has already become a holiday tradition for the entire community,” he said.
The WFMY News 2 Piedmont Winterfest rink will be located at 200 N. Davie St. and will open on November 16, 2011 at 4 pm. While school is in session, the rink will operate 4-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 4-10 pm on Friday, 10 am -10 pm on Saturday and 12-6 pm on Sunday. During school holidays, the rink will be open all day from 10-10 pm. Admission to the rink, including skates, will remain $8 per person. Groups of 20 or more skate for $6 per person. Discounts will also be periodically available that will offer a $6 skating session. Private rink rental times are also available for parties and corporate events before or after public skating hours. The rink will close for the season on January 29, 2012 at 6 pm. The full schedule and additional programming details will be posted on the event website: www.piedmontwinterfest.com
WFYM News 2 has re-committed to be the title sponsor for the event. “WFMY News 2 Winterfest is good for the Triad”, said Larry Audas, President and General Manager of WFMY News 2. “The skating rink not only draws business to downtown, it is a source of joy and magic in the wintertime. We want to remind families that wonder and happiness still exist in the modern world and they live in young hearts around Greensboro. We are proud to play an important role in this wonderful project for the Triad,” Audas said.
Several other sponsors have also committed to continue the connection for the upcoming season. Cone Health has returned as a Platinum Sponsor. The News & Record will be the official print sponsor. Clear Channel’s 99.5 WMAG and 105.7 WMKS will be the official radio sponsor and Dutch Barns has returned to provide a quality shed for skate storage. Other sponsorships are available and on the web site.
The event is being led by the original partnership that includes Downtown Greensboro Incorporated, the City of Greensboro, The Greensboro Ice House and Renovo Designs, LLC. Over the past few months, the team completed a successful fundraising campaign to raise private funds to purchase the rink and equipment to insure the rink’s sustainability over time.
“Downtown is the premier gathering place for our community,” said Ed Wolverton, President and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. “We are delighted to continue our work with this wintertime event that fits perfectly with other holiday activities in Downtown including the holiday tree in Center City Park, the Jaycees Holiday Parade, the Festival of Lights, First Fridays and holiday shopping,” he said.
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