December 3, 2004

Ice & Lights

Two downtown San Jose attractions you won’t want to miss

Looking for a diversion from the “must do” holiday obligations on your list? Wrap a scarf around your neck, throw on a heavy coat and bring your ice skates to downtown San Jose for Downtown Ice and Christmas in the Park.

Evergreen’s Pack 264 Cub Scouts were among 350 community organizations that placed their name in a lottery to decorate a tree at Christmas in the Park. The boys choose a “Recycle Bells” theme, with crushed cans serving as the ringer in plastic cup bells. Pictured from left are Andy Jacobs and Alex Casper in the back row and Cody Casper, Elliott Herman, Allen Spears, Max Herman and Ryan Allen in the front row.

Skate your holiday pounds away as the Downtown Ice grand opening celebrates its move to the Circle of Palms, a new seasonal outdoor rink under the palm trees between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont San Jose. Admission to skate is $10 for 12 and under and $12 for 13-over.

“We wanted to be in the center of holiday activity downtown, and by being located next to Christmas in the Park, we are,” said Rick Jensen, communications manager for the San Jose Downtown Association.

If ice skating isn’t your activity of choice, take a stroll through the 25th Annual Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, directly across the street from Downtown Ice, between San Carlos and San Fernando Avenue.

This free spectacular display of lights, animation and holiday hoopla comes together in true winter wonderland style. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. - midnight until Jan. 1.

Other features include a computerized light show synchronized to holiday music, 350 community-decorated trees, two novelty booths, three brand new donation kiosks, 11 food booths, “snow” machines and a 60-foot Community Giving Tree! Nightly entertainment makes each Christmas in the Park experience unique.

For Downtown Ice information call the San Jose Downtown Association at (408) 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com. For Christmas in the Park information, call (408) 995-NOEL (6635) or visit www.christmasinthepark.com.