Ice rink opens for holidays at Pershing Square downtown

The holiday season will get off to a slick start Thursday when inner-city youth open the annual downtown Los Angeles ice skating rink in Pershing Square.

Two-time Olympian Tai Babilonia was scheduled to skate with the cartoon character Snoopy from Knott's Berry Farm in an 11:30 a.m. ceremony launching the rink's 15th season.

Children from San Pedro Street Elementary School and the Sheenway School & Cultural Center participated in a skating clinic after performances by U.S. National dance team competitors Elizabeth Addas and Jonathan Shultz and members of the Los Angeles Ice Theatre Ensemble.

The annual ice skating is sponsored by the city's Recreation and Parks Department. Admission for skaters is $6, with skates available for rent for $2.  The rink will be open through Jan. 21.

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-- Bob Pool

Photo: The outdoor holiday skating rink at Pershing Square in 2011. Credit: Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times