BROOKINGS – Skaters from the Brookings Figure Skating Club will present “Peter Pan” during the 24th annual ice show at Larson Ice Center on April 7-8.
The Saturday performance begins at 7 p.m., while the Sunday matinee starts at 2 p.m.
Discounted tickets are available in advance from club members and at the Hy-Vee customer service counter in Brookings. The discounted ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students K-12. Preschoolers are free.
Tickets will also be sold at the door for an additional $2 per ticket.
This year’s performance will feature 39 skaters, ranging from 3 to 18 years of age, including special solo performances by the club’s two high school seniors.
“This exciting show will be entertaining for the whole family,” said ice show director Haley Patrick. “We had so much fun choreographing all the numbers. We hope to share our joy with the audience through music and skating, so come fly with us to Neverland!”
The annual ice show is a partnership between the Brookings Figure Skating Club and the City of Brookings Parks, Recreation, and Forestry department.
“Beginning each fall, most skaters participate in group lessons through Parks and Recreation,” said BFSC Membership Chairperson Trish Matson Buus. “Some skaters enhance their skills by taking private lessons.”
Ice show rehearsals began in February and have been coordinated by several coaches.
“My favorite parts of coaching are watching the kids have fun with it, seeing their faces light up when they master a new skill, and having all of our hard work pay off in the end,” Patrick said. “I always looked up to my coaches when I was young, and to be that person for these kids now is a great honor for me.”
First-year club member Zayla Groenewold is looking forward to her ice show debut and was cast as an Island Native. Groenewold is just 3 years old and attends preschool in Brookings.
“Skating makes me so, so, so excited!” she said. “I love all my new skating friends. They taught me how to skate, and I’m very good!”
The figure skating club’s two graduating seniors currently attend Brookings High School.
Piper Schulz will play Wendy Darling in this year’s ice show. Schulz began skating when she was 6 years old. She has participated in figure skating competitions, and has been teaching skate lessons for two years.
Influenced by older sisters who skated, Brittney Hogie had an even earlier start when she began skating at age 4. Hogie was cast as Tiger Lily for the ice show.
After graduation, both skaters will leave Brookings to attend college, and they each plan to study nursing.
During intermission at each show, concessions will be available.
Additionally, a variety of fresh flowers will be available for purchase for those who want to congratulate their favorite skaters with a gift after their performance.
Ice show attendees are invited to enjoy photo opportunities with costumed skaters, such as Tinkerbell, Peter Pan, Captain Hook and many others during the “meet and greet” in the lobby after each show. Young fans may even wish to bring a small notebook for autographs.
The Brookings Figure Skating Club is dedicated to promoting the sport of amateur figure skating, providing continual education and training opportunities for its members, and instilling good sportsmanship.
The club provides an ala carte approach to recreational and competitive programming to help encourage each skater to achieve his or her own goals in a safe and healthy environment.
For more information or to inquire about joining, please visit the Brookings Figure Skating Club page on Facebook or email club president Rebecca Barber at brookingsfsc@gmail.com.
Spectrum photo: Thirty-nine members of the Brookings Figure Skating Club will bring “Peter Pan” to life on ice with shows at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8.
