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Featured image provided to TVL by ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s newest attraction adds to Christmas City’s charm
BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Thousands of people strapped on skates and made The Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital part of their holiday celebration during this season’s inaugural run. The area’s only outdoor rink featuring authentic ice opened to much fanfare and excitement Tuesday, Nov. 22, hosting its final session –and last group of skaters – to welcome the new year Sunday, Jan. 1.
“Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital was honored to sponsor the Ice Rink at SteelStacks in its first year,” said Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital President Anne Baum. “Seeing the Levitt Pavilion lawn transformed into a beautiful wintery wonderland was magical! As the region’s only children’s hospital, we know just how important family fun is for kids as they grow and develop. We are thrilled to have sponsored this new tradition and enjoyed seeing our community out on the ice!”
With blast furnaces serving as its backdrop, the Ice Rink at SteelStacks quickly added to the Christmas City’s charm, providing opportunities to create new traditions and memory-making merriment. Presented in partnership with Rink Management Services Corporation, the new attraction served to complement ArtsQuest’s beloved Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, presented by Univest Financial.
“The Ice Rink at SteelStacks welcomed 12,264 guests during its first year,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “We’re grateful to LVRCH for the generous partnership that enabled ArtsQuest to present this exceptional addition to our holiday offerings.”
During its inaugural season, 75-minute skating sessions were offered daily. Children 13 and younger were admitted free Monday nights, courtesy of LehighValleyNews.com, with LVRCH presenting sensory-friendly skates Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
According to Ryan Hill, ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming, the Bethlehem-based nonprofit is excited to be reviewing plans to bring the rink back in 2023.
“We received so much positive feedback on the rink, from how it ties our campus together to how adding it further enhanced the holiday experience for patrons,” said Hill.
Hill explained that throughout its first season, the rink featured themed night events geared for all ages. “We had a lot of fun with the theme nights,” he said. “A number of them were sellouts and people were thrilled to participate either via costumes, by playing trivia or by simply singing along.”
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of IFEA, the International Festivals & Events Association, NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.
Information provided to TVL by:
Kelley Andrade, ArtsQuest
Public Relations Coordinator
http://www.artsquest.org/
