Kick Off The Holidays with Local Shopping and a New Ice Rink!

Thanksgiving is almost here, and your MetroParks are gearing up for their biggest holiday season ever. In addition to the full palette of family-friendly, nature-inspired programming you’ve grown to love, we’ve got a couple special events happening this week in our urban parks that I’d like to share with the DaytonMostMetro.com community.

Tomorrow, November 24, is Stock-Up Wednesday at the PNC 2^nd Street Market. The Market is opening a special day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those who are hip to this trendy downtown facility have already put in their pre-orders to their favorite vendors that will make their Thanksgiving entertaining a breeze. I’m picking up a few farm-fresh ingredients (plus some of my own backyard herbs) to create a delicious, locally grown feast for my family. Not sure about how to prepare the bird or your designated side dish? Ask a vendor; they’re more than happy to share the secrets to unlocking the flavor of their home-grown produce, meats, cheeses and more. And since I’ll be preparing the meal at my parents, I’m looking forward to a delicious lunch on Stock-Up Wednesday that someone else will cook for me!

I love bringing my out-of-town guests to this venue for Saturday brunch, and I can’t think of a better way to wake up from your tryptophan-induced coma than lunch at the Market on Black Friday. Forget fighting crowds at department stores—I’ll use the free Wifi at the Market to scoop up deals while relaxing with a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee. If you’re not ready for turkey sandwiches, turkey salad, turkey gravy, turkey hash, turkey a la king, or gallons of turkey soup quite yet, stop by the Market the day after your buffet bonanza for a light, healthy lunch and get ready to work off those calories—on ICE!

That’s right, after its construction hiatus, the MetroParks Ice Rink is ready to open! Stop by RiverScape MetroPark this Friday, November 26, for the grand opening festivities. The fun kicks off at 11 a.m. Friday and lasts all weekend long. Skate 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. There will be ice sculpture carving, concessions by Skyline, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday music and, of course, ice skating. This rink is about 50 percent larger than its Festival Plaza predecessor and you’ll enjoy a longer skating season, extending to March 13, 2011. If you’re no stranger to this summer’s cultural festivals like Cityfolk or Dayton Celtic festivals, you already know where the hotspot will be this winter—right under the covered pavilion.

Love to skate? Hit the ice all week long. If you’ve got your own skates, bring them to the rink Monday through Thursday; there’s no admission fee, so you can carve those figure-eights for free. Rentals are still just $3 on these weekdays. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be action-packed with music and lights. Your $5 admission on these days gets you into the rink and covers the cost of skate rentals. Bring the kids—skate sizes range from preschool size 8 to women’s 11 and men’s 15. Lessons, programs and special events will take place at MetroParks Ice Rink all season long. Grab the current issue of the MetroParks’ quarterly publication, ParkWays, or check the website for details.

Make plans to host not just a local feast but a truly Dayton experience this Thanksgiving!