Skating party at DARE field

RUMFORD -- The Rumford Parks Department will host an Old Fashioned Family Fun Day on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the ice skating facility on the DARE field, across from Aubuchon's.

Plans for the event were announced last week during a workshop by the Rumford Parks Commission. Member Dan Richard said the skating party will take place from 3-7:30 p.m., featuring music of all types coming from the nearby warming shack. The rain date will be on Feb. 13.

Beginning at 4 p.m., skating participants will be treated to free hot dogs, chips and hot chocolate. People are also encouraged to bring sticks and marshmallows for the old fashioned bonfire that will be held from start to finish.

Richard said the shack has about 50 pairs of skates available to use in various sizes. However, it's encouraged that people supply their own skates if possible.

He added that there may also be a surprise or two for those participating in the skating party. If all goes well, they would like to do this next winter as well.

Parks Commission Member John Martin noted that thanks to a combination of good weather and care with scraping and sweeping the ice, participation this winter has been "the best it's been in a lot of years" with the skating.

He said they've been averaging 60 or more people during the weekends. "People have been skating when it's been cold and I've seen one person skating alone between 10 to 12 at night."

Martin said the Peak-A-Week Club has been down to skate, and a group from a school will be skating here this week.

People can skate here, as well as the hockey rink beside the horseshoe pits, anytime. Each of the rinks has a warming shack, with music as well as ice skates available for people to use for free. All one needs to do is sign a paper with their name to use the skates, which are in an assortment of sizes.

The Hosmer Field rink also has hockey equipment available. Skate sharpening is available here for $2 a pair.

People can skate anytime, but the hours of the shacks are 1:30-7:30 p.m. on the weekends, and 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays.

The rinks are also available for birthday parties. For more information or to check on ice conditions, call the Parks Department at 364-7758.