By Cami Stump

In the spirit of winter, with temperatures dropping and the holidays around the corner, a new ice-skating rink will open this weekend at Triangle Park in the heart of downtown Lexington.

Steve Grossman, president of the Triangle Park Foundation, said the United Trust Company Ice Rink is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Saturday and will be open through January.

“The park is set up to be a nice, fun little winter wonderland,” Grossman said.

Along with the 85- by 60-foot ice rink, the park will also boast a café tent serving hot chocolate, coffee and various snacks, as well as a seating area near the rink.

Penny Ebel, vice president of Special Events and Programs for the Downtown Lexington Corporation, said the opening of the ice rink this weekend is just one of many seasonal activities scheduled for Triangle Park.

On Saturday, Nov. 25, the Downtown Lexington Corporation will host Lexington’s Tree Lighting Festival beginning at 2 p.m.

“The festival will celebrate the opening of the seasonal attractions new to the park,” Ebel said. “Including the United Trust Company Ice Rink and the Holiday Market, which will include art vendors and food vendors.”

Mayor Jim Gray will help Santa Claus with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. and will give remarks on the project along with Dr. Greg Kasten from Unified Trust Company.

Along with the tree lighting, ice-skating performances will be a part of the opening ceremony, including a performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Lexington Ice Center students and a performance by local figure skater Kate McSwain, Ebel said.

“We know a lot of people won’t be able to make the festival because of the holiday weekend,” Ebel said. “But if they’re in town, we want them downtown at Triangle Park.”

Though the festival is not until next weekend, the rink will be open this weekend and all of next week, excluding Thanksgiving Day.

Skaters may bring their own skates, but rentals are free. Admission for all skaters is $10 for 90 minutes of skating time.

The rink will be open to the public Monday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 9 p.m.

During the Fayette County schools winter break, the skating rink will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.