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The Ice at Canalside
The Ice at Canalside

The Ice at Canalside is open throughout winter recess

by jmaloni

Submitted

Tue, Dec 23rd 2014 06:45 pm

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation's newest waterfront destination attracted 6,000 visitors its opening weekend; even more to do on the ice when the kids break from school

The Ice at Canalside presented by BlueCross BlueShield of WNY is the place to be this winter recess. With open ice-skating every day, including Christmas and New Year's Day, bring visiting family members and meet up with old friends.

Ice bike rentals and curling will be available most days.

An estimated 6,000 people visited The Ice at Canalside during its opening weekend, kicking off what will be an exciting winter season on Buffalo's newest waterfront destination.

Whether you're new to skating or an old pro, the canals on Downtown Buffalo's waterfront are a unique experience. The Ice at Canalside will be open for public skating from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve; 3 to 7 p.m. Christmas Day; noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 28-30; noon to 10 p.m. New Year's Eve; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 2-3; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.

If the rink needs to be closed due to warm weather, rain or heavy snow, organizers will post to both Facebook and Twitter and update the online calendar to keep skaters informed.

Here is some good news for hungry skaters: For the next two weeks on Fridays, Lloyd Taco Truck will serve food from 3-8 p.m. at the Ice at Canalside. On Saturdays, Lloyd Taco Truck will be there from noon until 9 p.m. On Sundays, The Cheesy Chick will be rinkside from noon until 6 p.m.

Admission for ages 13 and over is $5; ages 6 to 12 costs $3; and children age 5 and under are free. Skate rentals are $3. Those with a BlueCross BlueShield card can show it for a healthy discount: $1 off admission and $1 off skate rental.

While there, try out Buffalo's newest Canalside attraction, Ice Bikes of Buffalo, which allows visitors to ride a bike while on the surface of the ice. This stable unit allows visitors to pedal and steer their way around the rink in the same manner they would if they were going for a traditional bike ride. These unique bikes were designed and manufactured locally and cannot be found anywhere else.

Ice Bike rentals are available for $10 (plus tax) per person for 30 minutes. They will be available for rent throughout the winter recess, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check www.canalsidebuffalo.com for times.

Curling is not just for Olympians anymore. Starting Friday, using strategy and teamwork, visitors to Canalside can now test out their skills with the stone on two curling lanes available to reserve during open skate hours. The cost is $15 per person for one hour (minimum of four people, max of 10) and includes an instructor and all necessary equipment (stones, grippers and sliders, brushes). For reservations, call 716-574-1537. Walk-ups will be accommodated based on availability.

Take a break from the skates and shop local. Artisans and merchants will be set up Thursdays through Sundays (except for Christmas and New Year's Day) through throughout the winter season at The Ice at Canalside. Up to five local vendors will be set up in the Winter Village, next to the Immigrant Steps and ice bike rentals. The artisan market schedule will be every Thursday and Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and every Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

For a complete schedule at The Ice at Canalside, visit www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

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