Temperatures in the Twin Cities are dropping just in time to lace up the ice skates and head to either downtown.
On Wednesday, Wells Fargo opens its Minneapolis WinterSkate at the Loring Park skating rink near Willow and Grant streets. The rink offers free skating daily from Nov. 15 through March 4 during normal park hours.
In addition, the Warming House, sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, will be open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Complimentary skates are available for use during all Warming House hours. A full schedule can be found at mplsdowntown.com/winterskate.
Wells Fargo also will once again play host to St. Paul's WinterSkate in Rice Park, beginning with a grand opening Saturday.
The ceremony is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include dance and music performances, the Winter Carnival button unveiling with festival royalty and Vulcans, and the 10th annual lighting of Rice Park, featuring a 60-foot-tall holiday tree lit with 15,000 LED lights. The lighting ceremony, followed by a fireworks show, is expected to start at 6:30 p.m.
St. Paul WinterSkate features a free, outdoor, artificially chilled ice rink next to Landmark Center and will be open from Nov. 18 through Feb. 11.
For more information on Wells Fargo St. Paul WinterSkate check out visitsaintpaul.com/winterskate.
James Walsh
