Outdoor ice rink offers family fun

HURRICANE -- Tis' the season for family fun, and Putnam County's Convention and Visitors Bureau invites you to take advantage of holiday activities in your community.

The most anticipated of events was the recent opening of the outdoor ice skating rink located at the Hurricane Valley Park. The 1,500-square-foot rink, which officially opened Monday, is located next to the visitors bureau building and is topped with a synthetic, solid surface that skates like ice without the maintenance and upkeep.

Rink attendant John Pelto said he had been anticipating the opening. "I think having the rink is a really good idea. It's going to give the park something for when the pool is closed. I think people will enjoy it."

The ice skating rink will be open from 2-10 p.m., seven days a week through March, and offers 150 pairs of skates to help customers find their perfect fit. Admission is $5, skate rental is $3, and skate sharpening is $4.

In addition to the rink activities, Linda Bush, director for the Putnam Bureau, said there is also something new this year at County Park in Eleanor.

"We have a one-room school house there and it will be open for tours beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. We'll have refreshments. There's going to be a horse-drawn wagon at the County Park that day also. We're inviting everyone to visit and see what it was like to be in a one-room school house. A lot of the original items are on display in the school."

Built in 1936, the Lett Creek school house was originally located in Poca. The building was relocated to the County Park in 1967 and has been renovated to reflect its original appearance.And if you're still looking for other ways to celebrate, bring your friends and family and enjoy these events scheduled for the Valley Park's "Yuletide in the Park":

• Lights Display through Dec. 30, 6-9 p.m.
• Animated Displays, Dec. 1-30.
• Toyland at Wave Pool Lobby, 6-9 p.m.
• Santa Visits, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 1; 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 7.
• Reindog Parade ($10 registration fee), 11 a.m. Dec. 1.
• Children's Fun Time, 12-2 p.m. Dec. 1.
• Church Choir Singing, Live Nativity, Bon-Fire and Marshmallow Roast, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2.
• Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2-7.
• Children's Ornament Making Classes and Story Time, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3.
• Wreath Making ($15; registration is required; call 562-0518) and Bird Food Ornaments (Free), 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4.
• Rock Around the Christmas Tree Dance and Meet and Greet with Steve and Jenny of V100, Santa to visit, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5.
• Ginger Bread House Open and Jingle Bell Mini Golf, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6.
• Colonial Christmas, Bon-Fire and Marshmallow Roast, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7.
• Train Display at the Museum in the Community, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7-8.

For more information about these events, feel free to call (304)562-0518 or send an e-mail to www.putnamcounty.org/tourism or www.putnamcounty.org/parks.