Ice skating returns to Atlanta's Centennial Park

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Ice skating returns to Atlanta's Centennial Park

Photo gallery of ice skating at Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. Part of AJC.COM's Atlanta Holiday Guide.

Centennial Olympic Park opened its ice skating rink for the holiday season on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. Skating like a pro was Sky C. Johnson, 5, who has been taking lessons since she was 2 at the indoor Marietta Ice Center. She begged her mother to take her outdoor ice skating for the first time.

Branch Rouse, 2, of Atlanta experienced ice skating for his first time at the ice skating rink at Centennial Park. Here, he is being helped by his dad, Hudson.

Kaeli Feagans, 9, came in with her mother from Chickamauga in far northwest Georgia for the weekend opening of ice skating at Centennial park.

People of all ages came to the opening of the ice skating rink at Centennial Park. The ice skating rink will open daily until Jan. 4, 2009. The fee to skate is $7 and the ice skate rental fee is $2.

Elizabeth Knox, 11, said she had so much fun ice skating for her first time at the ice skating rink at Centennial Park. At first, she held on to the rails, but very soon, she was ice skating on her own.

There were a few mis-skates along the way Sunday. A group of students from the Art Institute of Atlanta who live in MetroPointe come to the aide of a fallen comrade.

Gerardo Mendoza, 12, from Flowery Branch, laughed off his fall on the ice.

Azeneth Mendoza, 13, from Flowery Branch, took a few spills, too, but kept getting up with a smile to perfect her skills.

Many children and adults took a minute to watch others skate -- and sometimes fall -- before trying it themselves.

Two-year-old Branch Rouse, 2, took a second to peek back at those on the outside of the rink while ice skating.

Dejeonee Mauvais, 4, of Atlanta was not immediately ready to let go of the rail but said she enjoyed her time learning to ice skate.

Isabella Rouse, who turned 6 on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, takes her little brother, Branch, 2, to exchange his skates for a better fit at the skate rental booth at the rink.

Ashley Rouse, from Atlanta, waited to get her other ice skate at the skate rental at Centennial Park. She came with her whole family and said she enjoyed watching her children learn how to ice skate.

Johnny Chancey of Dalton pulls on a pair of skates at the Centennial park rink. He said he brought his family to Atlanta for the weekend with the idea of visiting as many places as possible during the time they had.

Shannon Watson, left, originally from Kentucky, and Michael Devone, originally from Connecticut, enjoyed their time practicing their skills. They said they had been ice skating a few times since they were young.

Kelli Mendenhall ice skates with her daughter, Kaeli Feagans, 9. They rode in from Chickamauga.

The Mendoza parents watched their children ice skate. Sometimes, their children took a break to come and share falling stories.

The opening of the ice skating rink at Centennial Park was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, but heavy rain made rink operator Rick Glueckert decide to wait until Sunday since the ice had not had time to fully harden.

This sign at the rink lays out the schedule and prices.

This is the place to look for, already surrounded by Christmas decorations, at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.

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Centennial Olympic Park opened its ice skating rink for the holiday season on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. Skating like a pro was Sky C. Johnson, 5, who has been taking lessons since she was 2 at the indoor Marietta Ice Center. She begged her mother to take her outdoor ice skating for the first time.

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