Move to indoors will make for "a cosier experience," say ice rink organizers
LUMA Ice is returning to the Petaluma Fairgrounds for the holidays.
The city has made a few changes, though, following the successful 2024 inaugural season, all designed to make LUMA Ice an even more enjoyable event this year.
Opening day will be December 10. LUMA Ice will run through January 6.
According to Jamieson Bunn, the City of Petaluma's communications program manager, even though LUMA Ice is the brainchild of the Parks and Recreation department, the whole staff pitched in to make it the best event they could.
"The city was given direction from the community to pilot new uses on the fairgrounds after we took over property management," she explained. "This is one of the new uses that we're trying. We're excited to give the community something to rally around for the holidays, somewhere fun to go that the whole family can enjoy."
Bunn said last year was a big success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from locals who loved having something fun, nostalgic and wholesome to do for the whole family.
"Last year we had families come, and the grandparents could watch the kids skate, even if they didn't want to get out on the ice themselves," Bunn said. "We had teenagers come on New Year's Eve and it was a great place to celebrate."
She said people were excited that the rink is made with real ice.
"Being able to skate on real ice is something that's unique to Petaluma," Bunn said. "People like to see their city providing something fun for the community, drawing tourists here to spend money at restaurants, but also just giving back to locals, giving people a place where they can spend time together over the holidays."
Last year the rink was outside, under a large tent, but there were a few very cold and rainy days, so this year the city is bringing the rink inside the Fairgrounds Expo Hall.
"We found that we could save on generator costs, make it a more climate efficient, fuel efficient event if we brought it inside," Bunn said. "It will also give folks a little bit more protection from the elements. So bringing it into the Expo Hall is going to give us a little bit of a cosier experience."
This year they're also partnering with Mickelson Christmas Trees, whose popular tree lot is already open at the fairgrounds.
"I know that's a tradition for a lot of people," Bunn said. "Once Luma Ice opens on the 10th, Mickelson's will also be offering tractor rides from the area near the tree lot over to Luma Ice down this beautiful lighted concourse."
Mickelson's is also putting out holiday themed jumpy houses for the kids.
HopMonk will be catering with their food truck during most LUMA Ice hours, and on the weekends there will also be other food trucks available. Exchange Bank is the LUMA Ice presenting sponsor. Many other local business sponsors are listed on the LUMA Ice website and Bunn noted that all this support from local businesses is helping to make the event the best it can be.
On Dec. 13, LUMA Ice will host an event called Warm Hearts, Cold Noses. North Bay Animal Services will be on site with their cuddle shuttle and Clo the Cow will be greeting guests at the rink.
And what's an ice rink without a bit of hockey breaking out?
"In January, there will be a Guns & Hoses Hockey Tournament, where the Sonoma County police and fire fighters will be battling it out on the ice for a game that everybody can come out and enjoy," Bunn said. There will also be a hockey youth skate three days a week, so kids can come out and play hockey on the ice rink.
Additionally, LUMA Ice will be hosting a number of Glide and Give events, fundraisers for local organizations where 15% of all ticket sales during that time period go back to the nonprofit. Organizations are encouraged to go onto the website to learn how to participate.
One corner of the hall is to be set aside for birthday parties.
"The birthday parties there are super fun," Bunn said. "We had a lot of folks celebrate their birthday parties on the ice last year. We're also hosting school field trips as well."
An adult skate pass for 14 and older is $25. A youth skate pass is $20 for kids 3 to 13 years old. There will be military and (65+) senior passes and ADA skate passes for $20, and an entry pass with no skating is just $4. Expect to see package deals for those who might want to combine youth skating, the jump zone and tractor rides together.
"We're excited to welcome people to the Expo Hall at the fairgrounds and bring back Luma Ice," Bunn said. "We're all excited to get out there and skate. It's a pretty magical place this time of year, so we hope people will come out and bring their families and have a great time."