PHILADELPHIA, PA–(Marketwire – November 22, 2010) – The Blue Cross RiverRink is the area’s only Olympic-size outdoor ice skating rink located on the Delaware River waterfront at Columbus Blvd. at Market Street. During the 17^th season, the Blue Cross RiverRink will host a variety of spectacular special events and exciting promotions that will engage everyone visiting the RiverRink.

Opening Day for the Blue Cross RiverRink on Friday, November 26, 2010 will be dedicated to the firefighters and police officers that keep us safe every day! From 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., anyone who presents a police or fire department badge or ID will receive complimentary admission for them and up to 4 people. $1 of each paid admission on opening day will be donated to the Hero Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and Pierre Robert from 93.3 WMMR will take part in the ribbon cutting for the Blue Cross RiverRink at 12 noon. There will be fire boat water displays on the Delaware River, photographs with local firefighters, fire ladder truck and fire engine trucks open for public tours and fire safety videos played throughout the day in the Blue Cross RiverRink pavilion.

Area DJs keep the party happening every Friday and Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. until 12 Midnight for the 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and the 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. skating sessions. You can make your request and within minutes, ice skate to your favorite song.

Skate with Santa and Friends will take place on Sunday, December 5, 2010, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Santa and local mascots will arrive at the Blue Cross RiverRink aboard the Philadelphia Belle. Children will have the opportunity to skate with Santa and to tell Santa their Christmas list during the 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and the 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. sessions. Skate with Santa and Friends is a FREE event with themed Santa activities for skaters and spectators. There will be free holiday face painting, a free photo keepsake, and make and take crafts such as decorating reindeer antlers. TD Bank, Presenting Sponsor of Skate with Santa and Friends, will distribute 300 free Elf Hats along with Philadelphia Belle distributing 300 Santa Hats at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing.

The traditional New Year’s Eve Party on Ice will be 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., with fireworks at midnight. An additional New Year’s Eve Party on Ice will begin at 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and an early fireworks show will take place at 6:00 p.m., at the Blue Cross RiverRink. Both of these parties are perfect for all ages and ideal for families as a non-alcoholic way to bring in the New Year. For more information about the New Year’s festivities at the Blue Cross RiverRink or to purchase tickets to the New Year’s Eve Party on Ice, after November 26, visit www.riverrink.com.

The Blue Cross RiverRink will take on the sights and sounds of a tropical island, with a steel drum band and hula dancers during Cabin Fever Reliever on Sunday, January 23, 2011, from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. There will be complimentary leis (while supplies last) and hula lessons taught by Aloha Style (of Narberth, PA), along with tropical themed music and videos in the Blue Cross RiverRink pavilion. You can also take a walk outdoors along the waterfront and enjoy the scenery while learning about the importance of taking care of the majestic Delaware River courtesy of the Wissahickon and Pennypack Environmental Centers.

Attend Groundhog Day on February 2, 2011, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Blue Cross RiverRink. Throughout the day, visitors to the Blue Cross RiverRink can crawl through tunnels and dig for prizes during the “Groundhog Games” and watch the movie “Groundhog Day.” You can also learn about the diet, living habits and habitats of groundhogs and other hibernating animals during a special presentation by the Wissahickon and Pennypack Environmental Centers during the 12:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. sessions, since Philadelphia School District is closed. Look like a groundhog and get your face painted, whiskers and all for free, and of course, ice skate on the Blue Cross RiverRink Olympic size rink. 

Pennsylvania’s legendary Punxsutawney Phil will forecast the weather for the remainder of the winter season. To add to the Groundhog Day activities at the Blue Cross RiverRink, if Phil sees his shadow, then free skating admission for boys all day. If Phil does not see his shadow, then free skating admission for girls all day!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 14, 2011 during a special Sweetheart Skate Session, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Advance tickets will be available at www.riverrink.com. Ladies will receive a complimentary red flower (while supplies last). A live DJ will play romantic love songs while couples skate at the Blue Cross RiverRink. Each couple will receive a special free sweetheart photo keepsake (while supplies last). The Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing is a popular destination during this romantic holiday!

Regular skating session hours are Monday to Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and Friday hours: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Saturday hours are: 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. and Sunday hours are: 12:30- 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Special Holiday Hours and other extended sessions are outlined at www.riverrink.com. Skating admission is extremely affordable at only $8 and $9 for the Friday and Saturday 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. sessions. Skate rental is available for $3. Convenient parking is also available on site for only $10.

Independence Blue Cross is the founding and title sponsor of the Blue Cross RiverRink. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation owns and operates the Blue Cross RiverRink. Other supporters include: TD Bank, Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, CBS 3 and the CW Philly and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.

The Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia’s only outdoor public ice rink, is located on Columbus Boulevard at Market Street. For more information on skating sessions, ice skating lessons, birthday parties or private receptions, please call 215.925.RINK or visit www.riverrink.com.