Citi Pond at Bryant Park in New York officially opens for the season

On Friday, October 28, 2011, Citi Pond at Bryant Park celebrated it’s 7th season grand opening, featuring Manhattan‘s only free-admission ice skating rink, the Holiday Shops, and Celsius Restaurant Lounge & Event Space. The grand opening event included Broadway musical performances like “Sister Act” and “Rock of Ages” and live drum line numbers by Hillside Elementary School’s “Drums of Thunder”. Professional ice skating routines were the highlight of the event, as performers included:

  • The Haydenettes- the U.S. National synchronized skating champions
  • Kimmie Meissner- a former World and U.S. National Champion Figure Skater
  • Isabella Tobias and Deividas Stagniünas, two figure skaters representing Lithuania

After the performances, the public was allowed to go on to the ice to skate for the first time this season. Media representatives were taken to preview the Columbia Freezer Tour, which will take place from October 29-November 29, 2011. Participants put on a Columbia coat and go into a freezer (yes, a freezer!) to sing karaoke while being videotaped and photographed. The idea is to show the public how warm the jackets really are. While they certainly keep your upper body very warm, remember to bring socks and gloves, as the rest of your body will still be chilly.