COLUMBUS, Ohio — In honor of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships coming to the city later this month, the Columbus Metropolitan Library is rolling out a new way to skate.
Leading up to the championships on Jan. 22-28, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, U.S. Figure Skating and the Columbus Metropolitan Library are teaming up to bring figure skating fun to the library.
They call it “sock skate.”
It’s an activity that’s perfect for fans of figure skating and critics of the cold.
A synthetic ice rink was put in the atrium at the Main Library, located at 96 South Grant Ave., on Jan. 3. The synthetic ice rink is perfect for those who love sliding around in socks and it doesn’t require the skater to get bundled up.
The library plans to keep what they’ve dubbed the “Sockefeller Center” out until the end of January.
In collaboration with the U.S. Figure Skating, pieces of historic memorabilia are out on display in the library as well.
The items on loan include:
- Carol Heiss’ dress from the 1960 Olympic games (Ohio native)
- Alysa Liu’s dress from the 2019 Championships (youngest-ever women’s champion)
- Hand-painted ice skates by Columbus artist Gabby Anderson
- Historic magazines and much more
The library noted that the first hour of parking in the attached garage is free.
For those wanting to see some real figure skating, the Main Library, alongside 22 other branches, will offer the chance for a visitor to win a family-four pack of tickets to the Junior Rhythm Dance session on Jan. 23 at 6:25 p.m.
Interested people can fill out an entry form at the libraries by Tuesday, Jan. 16 to enter. Winners will be notified by email on Jan. 17.
During championship weekend, two figure skating legends will stop by the Main Library for a visit.
Gracie Gold, who won two national championships and skated for Team USA in the 2014 Olympics, is doing an author talk on Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. for her memoir, “Outofshapeworthlessloser” that comes out in February. You can register for tickets here.
Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan will be doing a book reading from her children’s book, “Stronger Than She Thinks.” The talk will take place on Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can register for tickets here.
Find more information about the figure skating-inspired events here.
