NEWSLETTER
Empire State Plaza Rink Opening on December 2 with the First Hannaford Free Skate Rental Saturday of the Season on December 3
New York State Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks Festival at the Empire State Plaza Presented by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York on December 4
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem on December 8
Albany, N.Y. (November 30, 2022) – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the official opening of the Winter at the Plaza season at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on Friday, December 2, and the annual tree lighting at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem on Thursday, December 8.
"I am excited to announce the start of the many winter festivities that New York has to offer, and I can think of no better way to celebrate the season," Governor Hochul said. "I encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of these events, and I thank the teams at the Office of General Services and Empire State Development, and our sponsors for their support of these annual traditions in Albany and Harlem."
Schedule of Events in Albany and Harlem
· Empire "Skate" Plaza Ice Rink Opening Day: Friday, December 2, noon to 8 p.m. The Plaza rink will once again play a significant role in a series of free events and activities planned for the season, which will kick off with the opening day at the Plaza ice rink on Friday, December 2, weather permitting, with music provided from 6 to 8 p.m. by DJ Ketchup.
· First Hannaford Free Skate Rental Saturday of the Season: Saturday, December 3. The Empire State Plaza ice rink will feature free skate rentals each Saturday of the 2022-23 season, courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.
· First Learn to Skate Clinics of the season presented by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York and hosted by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club: Saturday, December 3. The 45-minute clinics will begin at 9 a.m.,10 a.m., and 11 a.m. Additional clinics will be offered on January 7, February 4, and March 4, 2023. Online pre-registration is required at empirestateplaza.ny.gov. Please remember to dress the young skaters in warm clothes, hats, gloves, and socks.
· The Great Train Extravaganza: Sunday, December 4, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Empire State Plaza Convention Center. One of New York's largest model railroad and toy train hobby shows featuring dozens of vendors offering new and used trains for sale, plus parts, clothing, memorabilia, photographs, and accessories. The ticketed event will also include railroad history and artifacts, and a Roaming Railroad for rides on the Empire State Plaza concourse. Tickets are $7 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.
· New York State Holiday Tree Lighting presented by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York: Sunday, December 4, noon to 8 p.m. Celebrate the season with outdoor activities the family is sure to love, including an afternoon rock-and-skate with live music, skating demonstrations by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, performances by Tuba Christmas, caroling with The Rusty Pipes, ice sculpting demonstrations, and photo opportunities with Santa at Cornerstone at the Plaza. Stewart's Shop will offer samples of eggnog and holiday-flavored coffee while supplies last. Refreshments will also be available for purchase at Cornerstone at the Plaza. The official tree lighting and fireworks ceremony, hosted by the News 10 ABC Morning Team, will start at 5:15 p.m. OGS will provide- free parking at the Empire State Plaza for this event.
· New York State Holiday Tree Lighting at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza, Thursday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to bring their family and friends to this free event, which is being organized by OGS in collaboration with promoter Greg Mays of Harlem Presents. The evening full of family fun and live entertainment will include musical performances, a visit from Santa, train rides, giveaways, and free hot chocolate courtesy of Starbucks while supplies last. The official tree-lighting ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. The Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building is located at 163 West 125th Street.
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "It's an honor to continue the annual tradition of transforming the Empire 'Skate' Plaza into an exciting winter destination with activities that give visitors fun ways to stay active during the winter season. Team OGS is also thrilled to continue New York State's longtime annual tradition of lighting a tree for the holidays at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem. I want to thank all the generous sponsors of these celebrations and events, which bring friends, family, and neighbors together to celebrate the season."
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York State's holiday season is a magical time of year, and festivities in Albany and Harlem are a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Pairing these special events, plus skating at the Empire State Plaza ice rink later in the winter, with a museum visit, a holiday show, local cuisine and a stay at a cozy bed and breakfast allows travelers to enjoy the season with a great getaway and memories that last a lifetime. We encourage residents and visitors alike to come be a part of the wintertime fun and find what they love in New York State."
Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York Community Affairs Manager Nicky Chlopecki said, "As a long-time partner of the Office of General Services, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York is proud to continue our tradition of bringing healthy activities to the community all four seasons. The Plaza is an inclusive gathering place for our entire community, and as we mark the start of our 14th year as presenting sponsor of the Learn to Skate clinics and the 3rd year as presenting sponsor of the Holiday Tree Lighting, we are excited to kick off another winter season."
Hannaford Supermarkets External Communications Manager Caitlin Cortelyou said, "It is a privilege to partner again this year with the New York State Office of General Services for another exciting winter season at the Empire State Plaza. For the past decade, Hannaford has underwritten a free skate-rental program and is thrilled to have seen its popularity grow. We encourage everyone to stay healthy and active this winter season, and there's no better way to do so than to lace up the skates for free on Saturdays at the Empire State Plaza."
Sponsors
Sponsors of Winter at the Plaza events include Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY, Hannaford Supermarkets, MVP Health Care, I LOVE NY, Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, CDTA, Stewart's Shops, Times Union, PYX 106, 99.5 The River, 98.3 TRY, NY State of Health and News 10 ABC.
The Harlem tree lighting sponsors include Harlem Community Development Corporation, WBLS, Harlem Presents, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, P.C. Richard & Son, NY State of Health, Touro College of Medicine, and Starbucks
Empire State Plaza Ice Rink Information
· Hours of Operation: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, weather permitting. Closed 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 2 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. on weekends and holiday for maintenance. The rink will be open on three Mondays: December 26, and January 16 and February 20, 2023.
· Cost to skate: Free
· Skate Rentals: $4 for adults, $3 for children 12 and younger. A photo ID is required to rent skates. Every Saturday is Hannaford Free Skate Rental Saturday.
· Amenities: Lockers, skate rentals, and refreshments are available in the glass pavilion adjacent to the rink. Children's helmets and ice walkers/trainers for beginning skaters are also available for free.
For Empire "Skate" Plaza rink status updates and additional information on Winter at the Plaza events and activities, including parking, directions, and ground rules, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @PlazaEvents on Twitter, or call (518) 474-4759.
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