A community that has suffered great shock and pain over the last week is coming together to demonstrate love and support for the families impacted by the tragic events that have transpired in our hometown over the last several days, including all who have been impacted by this traumatic loss in one way or another.  With the strength and resilience born of a community which has suffered great loss in recent decades—a flood, tornado and now the taking of human lives—residents of Sumter County are uniting in solidarity around an already-planned community event to offer hope and healing to all in our community, Sumter on Ice.
 
The 21-day event in Downtown Americus opened at Rylander Park with words of comfort, unity and prayer at Rylander Park.  The event is open to the public where religious and civic leaders will come together in a spirit of love and graciousness to provide hope to a hurting community and offer a moment of calm as we remember that we are one community together despite tragedy.
 
Sumter on Ice will be a place for community unity in the spirit of the season and promises to bring joy to the hearts of all who will enjoy the ice-skating experience—whether it is this afternoon at the formal grand opening ceremony—or any day throughout the month of December. Children of all ages will enjoy this unique hometown experience, creating memories of happiness for years to come!
 
Sponsored by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, the ice officially opens for the 21-day experience Friday, December 9, at 4pm with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting by City of Americus Mayor Barry Blount and Reverend Melvin McCluster of Friendship Baptist Church.  Sumter on Ice will be brought daily to families throughout South Georgia throughout the month of December, closing on December 30 in time to ring in the New Year.
 
Skates in all sizes will be available for children and adults of all ages to rent. The cost to skate is $5 per person for an hour; and groups can rent the rink on Mondays for holiday parties and gatherings for a group rate of $300 an hour.
 
Hours of operation are listed below:
 
·         Mondays – Closed to Public/Open to Group Sales

·         Tuesdays-Fridays – 4-9pm

·         Saturdays – 10am-9m

·         Sundays – 1-6pm
 
The ice is open Christmas Eve during regular operating hours, but will be closed Christmas Day in observance of the holiday to allow guests and volunteers to spend time with family and loved ones.
 
In appreciation of our law enforcement officials and their families, and all that they do every day around the year on behalf of our community in order to make it a safe place to live and work, we are opening the ice on Monday, December 26, to any and all law enforcement offers and their families for a day of “free skating.”  Honoring our Heroes Behind the Badge, a day of “Skating for Service,” will be held in their honor the day after Christmas.  This special event will be open to law enforcement officials from around the region, as our way of saying thanks for your service and sacrifice to our community.
 
The ice reopens to the public for its final run on Tuesday, December 27, and will officially close out the holiday season on Friday, December 30.
 
The Chamber of Commerce is proud to be able to partner with the City of Americus and Americus Main Street to create memories to last a lifetime for young and old alike. Downtown merchants will offer specials throughout the holiday season for those who join in the festivities. Church groups and live performers will be on-hand at varying times with songs of the season. If you or your organizations have an interest in performing or caroling, please contact the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at 229.924.2646.
 
Volunteers to work the event are still needed during the 21-day extravaganza so please sign up! You can go online to the Chamber’s Face Book page to access the Volunteer Registration site—or, you can call the Chamber office at 229.924.2646.