Wahoos extend Winter Wonderland
From noon-6 p.m. on New Year's Day at Bayfront Stadium, winter revelers will be able to skate on the infield's synthetic ice rink, slide down a massive inflatable toboggan run, play oversized outfield games like checkers, Twister and bowling and take advantage of better-late-than-never holiday pictures with the giant Sacred Heart Christmas Tree.
Shelley Yates, the Blue Wahoos' special event coordinator, said the decision to bring the winter festival back for one more day was based on huge demand by wonderland-goers, as well as a community need for family-friendly New Year's Day festivities.
"For so many of our fans and families, New Year's Day is the last chance to enjoy one last day together before getting back to the normal routine of school and work," Yates said. "We've had such a great response to our first-ever Winter Wonderland, so we decided to put on an 'encore presentation' for the community. This is our last chance to skate into 2013 before we start preparing the field for baseball season, so we hope everyone will come out and join us for a great afternoon of holiday fun on New Year's Day."
The Winter Wonderland was part of the Blue Wahoos' non-baseball event schedule, which utilized the multi-use stadium for concerts, beer festivals, youth football and, now, a synthetic ice rink and toboggan run. Yates said the team had worked hard to make the stadium a true community asset.
"The Blue Wahoos believe that we're not just a baseball team but a part of the community. So we've tried to make sure that people have several ways to enjoy this great facility and we're hoping that everyone will come out to enjoy the Winter Wonderland on New Year's Day," Yates said. "It's not always that you can say you've ice skated in Florida on a baseball diamond!"
Tickets for Winter Wonderland are $10 plus a $1 city surcharge to pay for maintenance of the facility. Children 5 years old and younger are admitted free. For more information, call the Blue Wahoos at 934-8444 or go to www.BlueWahoos.com.