U.S. Figure Skating and the San Jose Downtown Association extended the schedule of events at Downtown Ice, an outdoor rink located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose.
Now in its 16th season, Downtown Ice is traditionally open from mid-November through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend. This year, the rink dates were extended as part of a partnership between U.S. Figure Skating and the San Jose Downtown Association.
Several special events will be held in conjunction with the 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating
Championships, which are set for Jan. 22-29 at HP Pavilion. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 17, Downtown Ice
will be branded with the look of the U.S. Championships.
A comprehensive list of events and hours of operation is below.
Public Skating
The rink will be open daily from Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 29.
Admission, including the use of rental ice skates, is $15 (age 11 and older) and $13 (10 and younger).
Special Ticket Offer
Patrons can show their Downtown Ice receipt at the HP Pavilion box office for $5 off admission to
any ticketed session at the 2012 U.S. Championships while supplies last.
SkateFests
Two SkateFests will be held in celebration of the 10th anniversary of National Skating Month.
Each January, U.S. Figure Skating promotes National Skating Month as an opportunity for rinks
and local programs to celebrate skating and host activities that will attract new families to
the world of skating. SkateFests are scheduled for 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 and Sunday, Jan. 29.
SkateFest registrants will receive free professional instruction in a group setting. Registration
will be open onsite one hour prior to each SkateFest. Space is limited. The outer ring of the rink
will remain open for public skating.
Local bands will play free concerts in the plaza adjacent to Downtown Ice during both SkateFests.
San Jose-based bands Pantheon and Adventure Book take the stage Jan. 21, while Blood and Water and Rin Tin Tiger, both hailing from San Francisco, are set to perform on Jan. 29. Concert times are listed below.
“Skate with Champions”
From 6-7 p.m. nightly between Jan. 23 and Jan. 27, fans will be joined at Downtown Ice by former members of Team USA for “Skate with Champions.” Fans will find clues as to who will be featured daily by following U.S. Figure Skating on Twitter (@USFigureSkating).
“Schools on Skates”
Downtown Ice will extend its “Schools on Skates” program through the Championships and welcome two area schools to enjoy free ice skating. Dorsa Elementary (Jan. 23) and Rocketship Discover Prep. (Jan. 25) students will spend 30 minutes on the ice before attending a competitive session at the U.S. Championships. Tickets and transportation assistance are courtesy of Prudential, the title sponsor of the 2012 Championships.
Business Lunch Skate
A free lunch skate for employees of downtown businesses is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26. Businesses located in the downtown area are encouraged to participate.
Credentialed Media
Any member of the media may present his/her credential for the U.S. Championships for free entry to Downtown Ice.
EVENTS SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Thursday, Jan. 19
Public ice skating – 5-9 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 20
Public ice skating – 5 p.m.-midnight
Saturday, Jan. 21
Public ice skating – Noon-midnight
Free SkateFest (limited space) – 3-6 p.m.
Free concert – Pantheon – 3:20-4:20 p.m.
Free concert – Adventure Book – 4:50-5:50 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 22
Public ice skating – Noon-9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 23 through Wednesday, Jan. 25
Public ice skating – 5-9 p.m.
Skate with Champions – 6-7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 26
Free business lunch skate – 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Public ice skating – 1-9 p.m.
Skate with Champions – 6-7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 27
Public ice skating – 1 p.m.-midnight
Skate with Champions – 6-7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Public ice skating – Noon-midnight
Sunday, Jan. 29
Public ice skating – Noon-9 p.m.
Free SkateFest (limited space) – 3-6 p.m.
Free concert – Rin Tin Tiger – 3:20-4:20 p.m.
Free concert – Blood and Water – 4:50-5:50 p.m.