The largest seasonal ice skating rink in Ohio (10,000 square feet), with free admission to everyone, opens Saturday, November 21, at 11:00am.

Skaters may rent skates for just $2, the same as in previous years.

Hours through December will be Thursdays, 11am - 9pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11am - 10pm; and Sundays, 12pm - 6pm. The rink will not be attended by staff Mondays through Wednesdays, and is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Skaters with their own skates may use the rink at their own risk during daylight hours at times when the rink is not attended by staff.

FirstMerit Bank will again be the presenting sponsor of Holidayfest. With support of the Akron Community Foundation, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Sterling Jewelers, Roetzel & Andress, the Testa Companies and other local foundations and businesses, most of the costs of the Lock 3 ice rink will be paid from private contributions.

Plusquellic said the city's ice rink vendors worked hard to reduce their costs this year, understanding the budget crunch that all cities have been in because of the national economic slowdown.

The City will also offer a Chriskindl Market for the sixth year, but will not be hosting its sister-city vendors from Chemnitz, Germany. Instead, local non profits have been invited to sell hand-made or hand-baked goods and products for the holidays.

However, Plusquellic reported, three of the German vendors from prior years' markets will return on their own, without city support, to offer hand-made items from the Chemnitz region.

The official lighting ceremony of the city's Christmas tree will take place Friday, November 27 at 7:00pm and fireworks will be paid for by the Downtown Akron Partnership. The city's fireworks vendor - Pyrotechnico of New Castle, Pennsylvania - has also made a contribution, to produce a quality fireworks show that night for families.

Akron's annual "Welcome Santa" parade will be Saturday, November 28 at noon. WONE personalities Tim Daugherty and Christi Nichols will host the annual event this year on South Main Street.

"Lock 3 will become a destination for those who wish to help the neediest in the community," said the mayor.

The downtown venue will be the city's major collection point for new toys --- which will be delivered to more than 150 needy families supported by Akron's Victim Assistance Program and Furnace Street Mission--- gently-used winter coats for the Salvation Army, and non-perishable food items for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.

Inquiries regarding Lock 3 cottage sales should be directed to the Lock 3 staff at 330.375.2877, or lock3@ci.akron.oh.us. Approved vendors will be required to share some of their sales proceeds with a Akron charities - especially those who are serving the neediest during the holidays.

SCHEDULE
2009 HOLIDAYFEST & CHRISKINDL MARKET AT LOCK 3

NOVEMBER

• Sat., Nov. 21 Ice Rink Only 11am - 10pm
• Sun., Nov. 22 Ice Rink Only 12pm - 6pm
• Fri., Nov. 27 Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 11am - 3pm
• Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks 7pm
• Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 7:30pm - 10pm
• Sat.,Nov.28 Welcome Santa Parade 12pm
• Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 11am - 10pm
• Sun., Nov. 29 Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 12pm - 6pm

DECEMBER

• Thursdays, Fridays Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 11am -9pm
• Saturdays Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 11am - 10pm
• Sundays Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 12pm - 6pm
• Dec. 21, 22, 23 Ice Rink 11am - 9pm
• Chriskindl Market 5pm - 9pm
• Dec. 24 Ice Rink & Chriskindl Market 11am - 6pm
• Dec.25 CLOSED
• Dec. 28, 29,30 Ice Rink 11am - 9pm
• Dec 31 Ice Rink 11am - 11pm

JANUARY

• January 1 CLOSED
• Thursdays Ice Rink 11am - 9pm
• Fridays, Saturdays Ice Rink 11am - 10pm
• Sundays Ice Rink 12pm - 6pm

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