BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - There is another reason to hit Mall of America this holiday season -- an activity that is truly Minnesotan.
Visitors are able to lace up their skates and make their way around a 12,000-square-foot custom ice rink called "Skate the Star." The oval ice track will be constructed around MOA's north entrance star sculpture, and is free to the public.
Until Dec. 23, the hours are Monday - Friday from 3-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, the hours are Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Hours change from Jan. 3 to Jan. 27. During the week, hours revert back to 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday hours will start at 11 a.m., not 10 a.m. On Jan. 17, hours end at 5 p.m., not 6 p.m.
Holiday hours are as follows: Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Christmas Day- closed; New Year's Eve from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; New Year's Day - closed; MLK Day from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
The rink will be constructed by local company Minnesota Ice, using an estimated 18.000 gallons of water.
Guests are welcome to bring their own skates or rent a pair for $5, with 100 percent of the skate rental proceeds going directly to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities (BGCTC). Funds raised from skate rentals will help the BGCTC provide activities and support to more than 9,000 young people from across the Twin Cities, ranging in age from kindergarten through graduation from high school.
For more information about Skate the Star, including hours of operation and group rental opportunities, visit the MOA website.
