West Homestead Community Day offers ice skating in the summer

It may be August, but outdoor “ice” skating will be one of the main attractions at West Homestead Community Day on Aug. 19.

A portable 40-foot by 20foot ice skating rink, complete with a snow machine, lights and music, will be brought to Calhoun Community Park for the event.

The rink, provided by All Year Sports Galaxy, a Wheeling, W.Va., company founded by retired Ukrainian hockey playerVadim Slivchenko, has a surface made of acrylic polymers that allow skaters to glide just as they would on ice, according to the company’s website.

Skates will be available, and free blade sharpening will be offered for those bringing their own skates.

Carnegie Library of Homestead also will take part in community day and will give each child one free book and supervise a science, technology, engineering and math-related craft. The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will be on hand to provide information and giveaways.

The event also will include a 5K run/walk, carnival-style games, music, food and fireworks.

The the ice skating and most other activities will run between 4 and 8 p.m. at the park, 650 Fieldstone Drive. Some will continue until after fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks International at 8:30 p.m.

The5K run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the park and offer awards for men and women indifferent age groups.

The registration fee is $25. Runners and walkers can register online at www.runhigh.com. On Aug. 21, West Homestead will host an eclipse-viewing party at Calhoun Community Park with lunch and activities. Special glasses will be provided for safelyviewing the eclipse.