Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice Returns on Market Square!

On Thursday, October 25 the City of Knoxville and Holidays on Ice announced plans for 2007’s Christmas in the City, an annual event celebrating the holiday season in East Tennessee. Returning annual events included in Christmas in the City are the Christmas Market, the WIVK Christmas Parade, and the Fantasy of Trees. Some new events include Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee and the Regal Celebration of lights. And of course, Center City Events is proud to bring back Market Square’s favorite icy holiday tradition for the third year running.

  On Friday, November 23, the City of Knoxville will be skating right into the spirit of the season: Holidays on Ice is back! For the third year in a row, Market Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland skating spectacular, with skate rentals and lessons, concessions, special events, and more.

“The ice rink has quickly become one of my favorite things about downtown Knoxville,” said City of Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. “I love it because it brings out everyone—from downtown dwellers to suburban families, from all over our region. It has also become an economic driver for downtown and the center of holiday life.”

After only two years of operation, more than 37,000 skaters and 50,000 spectators from all over Tennessee have ventured to Market Square and participated in this unique pastime.

Kids of all ages (and those who are just young at heart!) will find plenty of special events if just gliding around the ice isn’t entertaining enough. For the little ones, Santa will be on hand every Tuesday night to double-check his naughty and nice list, and take any last-minute present requests while circling the rink. For a different type of skater, on Monday nights visitors can pass the puck with Knoxville’s own Ice Bears and see how their hockey skills measure up to the pros.

Want to participate but not sure how steady you’ll be on skates after all these years, or worried because your kids have never been on the ice? No problem!  There are free lessons every Thursday night, sponsored by the Ice Chalet, and every Wednesday evening is B97.5 Family Night, so you can be assured of a good time that everyone can enjoy. Finally, if the idea of all that ice and winter makes you shiver, Saturday morning is “Coffee and Curling” time at Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice: warm up with some java while you learn a new sport!

Thanks to generous sponsorship by U.S. Cellular and many other businesses around Knoxville, admission prices are $7 for adults and $5 for children, and include the price of skate rental and unlimited time on the ice. 

“U.S. Cellular is proud to be the presenting sponsor for Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice,” said Tom Catani, Regional Vice President for U.S. Cellular. “U.S. Cellular is a responsible corporate citizen and committed to Knoxville, and we love to support organizations and events that matter most to our customers and communities.”

Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice begins November 23rd and continues through January 1, 2008, every day except Christmas Day. Find out more about our hours of operation, and check the Holidays on Ice website frequently for more information.