Bend Park and Recreation holds holiday skate sessions, with afternoon being the busiest time slot

(Update: Adding video, comments from staff, skaters)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It's that time of year - people are putting on their jackets and lacing up their skates, to get on the ice rink. Bend Park and Recreation District's Pavilion started its holiday skate sessions. 

"It's really fun," Bend resident Kane Robinson said. "Like, sometimes I like it. If I had trouble, I would just go and get into the penalty box."

This year, Bend Park and Rec. say they see an increase in the number of skaters on the ice this winter season. 

"Generally we think that their numbers might be slightly above where it was last year over the holidays," Julie Brown, Bend Park and Rec's Community Engagement Director said Monday. "But, you know, day by day, it's just been a really, fun activity for skaters of all ages."

The holiday skate is also popular among visitors, spending time with family for the break. Clara Brown and her family are visiting from Olympia.

She said, "I enjoy ice skating and this is a really pretty rink. My mom took me and my siblings, my sister and my brother, and so it's a lot of fun."

The Pavilion holiday skate session goes all the way through January 4, 2025. People are big fans of the activity.

Bend resident Corbin Podwils said, "I like it very much. It's super fun. It's kind of like a sport."

For open skate, it's typically seven dollars and skate rentals available for three dollars. Helmets are also offered for free. 

At the rink, there's morning, afternoon and evening sessions offered. 

Brown said, "That afternoon session seems to bring most people out. If you are looking for maybe a slightly, slower, time of day, I would definitely encourage taking a look at that earlier in the day or in the evening, but the middle of the afternoon has been our busiest session so far."

 Once the holidays are wrapped up, Bend Park and Rec. will continue to have open skate sessions, through the beginning of April.