Philadelphia's version of Rockefeller Center's ice-skating rink is open for business.
The open-air, Olympic-size rink is located on the Delaware River waterfront at Market Street.
While New York skaters in Rockefeller Center have the famous christmas tree looming over their ice rink, Philadelphians get their own 30-foot tree, donated by the Fairmount Park Commission.
Unlike Penn's Class of 1923 Ice Skating Rink, the new rink offers views of the Philadelphia skyline and the Delaware River, all in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Penn's Landing Corporation, which runs the Blue Cross RiverRink, says that the arena is part of a broader campaign.
"Our whole concept of the rink is not to make money. It's to bring people to the waterfront year-round," said Laurie Heinerichs, a Penn's Landing Corporation spokeswoman and College graduate. "It's an extension of the events that we have at Penn's Landing in the summertime."
This weekend, Penn's Landing will play host to a variety of events celebrating tomorrow's Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. WXTU-FM will be broadcasting fan reaction to the game from inside the rink.
From 12 to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, there will be free ship tours and vehicle displays to visit after skating.
The rink, which traditionally opens the week after Thanksgiving, is commemorating its first year since 2000 at its original at Penn's Landing location. It had meanwhile been located at Festival Pier.
"We moved back to Penn's Landing this year because of the great location and easy access to public transportation," Heinerichs said.
While most of the events planned this holiday season at the RiverRink are geared toward children, the rink's organizers will be offering several events targeted at college students.
"We have great programs that are open seven days a week to all shapes and sizes, but we are also open Friday and Saturday nights until 1 a.m.," Heinerichs said.
On those nights, a DJ will be present. Then, starting Jan. 8, the rink will be host to Wired 96.5's "Battle of the DJ" every Sunday night from 6 to 8 p.m.
Skates in all sizes can be rented for $3, and entry to the rink is $6.
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