Update:
The rink did open Sunday to a "very good crowd," said Stephanie Coston, the event's operations manager.
Original:
After weather and technical difficulties delayed Marietta's much-anticipated ice skating rink, it's slated to open Sunday, the city said Friday morning.
The rink was "ready to go" for the Friday opening date and "the ice was beautiful," said Stephanie Coston, the event's operations manager. But early Thursday morning one of the parts that makes the ice malfunctioned.
One problem: The part was under the ice. That means crews had to rip up those weeks of hard work.
"As if it weren't enough to pour an ice rink outside in Georgia we've managed to do it twice this week," Coston said.
She said Friday they were back to nearly 100 percent.
An estimated 15,000 people came to the inaugural ice skating rink last year in Marietta Square. The total sales neared $180,000.
Organizers expected to open the rink as part of the Winter Wonderland kickoff from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. The skating costs a flat $12.
The city announced the specifics of the skating rink in late October.
Here are the hours of operation when school is in session:
» Monday to Thursday: 4:30 to 9 p.m.
» Friday: 4:30 to 11 p.m.
» Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
» Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Hours when school is out:
» Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
» Friday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
» Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Holiday hours:
» Thanksgiving Day: 2 to 10 p.m.
» Christmas Eve: 10 am. to 6 p.m.
» Christmas Day: 2 to 9 p.m.
» New Year's Eve: 10 a.m. to "LATE"
» New Year's Day: 2 to 9 p.m.
But of course you know about the rest of the festivities, like the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 that includes the arrival of Santa Claus on a Marietta firetruck at 5:20 p.m. followed by the Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m.
If you want a picture with Santa, you can reserve a time with the jolly man online.
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