**** Due to rain, the January 27 event has been postponed until February 3 ****
Hartford Winterfest is having an incredibly successful run this season! The outdoor public ice skating rink is located on the east side of
Bushnell Park, and is open every day of the week from 11am until 9pm. There is no fee to skate, and skate rentals are also free. The rink opened on November 25, 2011 and as of January 10, 2012 had already hosted over 35,000 skaters! Jared Kupiec, Mayor Segarra's chief of staff, described Winterfest to the Hartford Courant's
MaryEllen Fillo as "a special experience for residents of and visitors to Connecticut's Capital City. The rink [is] twice as large as last year's, accommodating up to 140 skaters at one time." Kupiec also pointed out, "Winterfest is a joint partnership (City, corporate, non-profit and philanthropic) designed to showcase Bushnell Park as a year-round event destination, all to the benefit of our wonderful shops, restaurants and arts and culture destinations." The rink will stay open through February 20.
If free skating and skate rentals weren't enough, Winterfest has gone
above and beyond by providing free skating lessons for Hartford children. The Learn-to-Skate program takes place on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The 9:00am class is for children aged 5-8, and the 10:00am class is for 9-12 year olds.
(This program is only open to Hartford Children, and parents must register their children at the rink.) Participants often arrive without gloves or hats to keep them warm during their time on the ice, and Winterfest coordinators are turning to the community for help. Donations of hats, gloves and mittens are being accepted at the rink. Children in the Learn-to-Skate program will be able to use the winter accessories during class, and then take them home to use all winter long.
HYPE has decided to help with this effort. On
Friday, January 27th, we invite HYPEsters to come down to Bushnell Park and join us at the rink
between 4pm and 9pm. We welcome donations for the Hat/Gloves/Mitten Drive, and hope you take a few laps on the ice! We'll also be staffing the Skate Shack that night, distributing and collecting free skates. If you'd like to volunteer with us, please contact Alex Koenigsberg at akoenigsberg@metrohartford.com and let him know your availability between 4pm and 9pm.
HYPE Cup Participants: Volunteering and/or donating at least 3 items to the drive will earn you an extra point! (Maximum 1 point per player)