‘Ice on the Landing’

Glide around the Choo Choo gardens beginning Friday

Chattanooga Presents is partnering with Volkswagen Chattanooga to open Ice on the Landing on Friday, Nov. 17, in the gardens of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.

Ice on the Landing is a 140-foot by 40-foot open-air skating rink that offers the fun and nostalgia of outdoor ice-skating surrounded by gas lanterns, fountains and holiday grandeur at the Southside landmark.

The rink will open at 6 p.m. Friday with a live performance by organist Buddy Shirk. Ice on the Landing will be open daily for a nine-week season, closing on Jan. 21.

Through Dec. 19, hours of operation will be 2- 9 p. m. Monday-Wednesday, 2-11 p. m. Thursday- Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

Weekly promotions will keep the schedule lively with theme nights including Family Night, Student Night, Charity Night, ’ 80s Night, Pajama Night and Tacky Christmas Sweater Night. There will also be gingerbread- decorating opportunities.

“We love being part of the entertainment district in t he Southside,” says Carla Pritchard, Chattanooga Presents owner. “It would be hard to imagine a more picture- perfect setting than the beautiful gardens in the Choo Choo. We feel like this location will offer a lot of amenities for our guests such as convenient parking, shuttle service, indoor restrooms and area restaurants.”

Rink- side vending will include hot chocolate, soft drinks and water, along with Nutella crepes and hamand- cheese crepes from Adelle’s Creperie.

Birthday skating parties will be offered, with pizza and cupcakes being served in the Choo Choo’s side lobby. Additionally, Ice on the Landing will offer a basic skills skating course each Saturday and Monday morning prior to opening hours. New this year: free hot chocolate to every skater who comes to skate wearing an Ice on the Landing T- shirt.

Ticket pricing is $ 10 for adults, $8 for skaters ages 12 and under. The ticket includes skate rentals and a two- hour skate session. Individual season passes will be $100 and family season passes $200. Gift cards, a good stocking stuffer, will also be sold.

For more information on hours of operation and theme nights: www. iceonthelanding.com.

STAFF PHOTO BY TIM BARBER People enjoy skating at last season’s Ice on the Landing at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.