Don’t look now, but Buddy the Elf was spotted skating with patrons at the West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows. Other recent notables included Olaf from Frozen, Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, Ralphie from A Christmas Story and Willie Wonka, all skating and posing for photos with families during the holidays.
This is the 10th year the Rolling Meadows Park District has hosted Holiday Skates, says Superintendent of Ice Arenas, Bob Veller. Holiday Skates takes place every day, between Dec. 20 and Jan. 5 at the West Meadows Ice Arena.
And while a different celebrity skates with patrons each day — watch out for the Bandits from Home Alone on Jan. 2 — these featured characters have become more elaborate in the last five years, drawing from popular holiday films, such as Frozen, Home Alone and A Christmas Story.
Kyle Belluomini, Facilities Manager for both of Rolling Meadows’ ice arenas, is the mastermind behind these special events, even dressing up as some of the characters himself. He coordinates the Holiday Skates events on site and has played a major role in elevating the public skate experience. ln fact, this year’s holiday events are expected to attract more than 5,000 skaters.
“It gets quite busy,” Belluomini says.
Buddy the Elf, played by Kyle Belluomini, facilities manager
Not surprisingly, these creative skating events align with the Rolling Meadows Park District’s vision for providing programming for the community, which is to inspire the community to live happier and healthier lives, by providing exceptional opportunities to play, learn and grow.”
Holiday Skates seems to meet that mission.
“Our Holiday Skates combine seasonal fun with some meaningful time for families to connect during the busy holiday season,” Belluomini says. “By offering a variety of themed skating events, featuring popular holiday characters, we provide the community with unique opportunities to create memorable experiences together.”
Remaining Holiday Skates events include:
Dec. 30 – Ugly Sweater Skate – 12-3 p.m.
Dec. 31 – New Years Eve Cosmic Skate – 12-3 p.m.
Jan. 1 – New Years Day Cosmic Skate – 12-3 p.m.
Jan. 2 – Skate with the Bandits from Home Alone – 12-3 p.m.
Jan. 3- Holiday Skate -12-3 p.m.
Jan. 4 – Holiday Skate -12-3 p.m.
Jan. 5- Holiday Skate – 11-2 p.m.
These skating events have proven to be so popular that the park district has extended them to offer several more on designated dates as part of its weekly Cosmic Skate events. They have included Minecraft Skate, Skate with Barbie, Star Wars and Minions.
Watch the Rolling Meadows Park District website for more details, since they vary between locations. The Holiday Skates all take place at West Meadows, but Cosmic Skates and the non-holiday themed skates take place at Nelson Sports Complex, 3900 Owl Drive in Rolling Meadows.
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