By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – The Winter Ice Village in downtown Port Angeles is back for its fifth straight year.

Volunteers have been busy over the last several days getting all the pieces into place and building the ice in the skating rink in layers. Chamber of Commerce Director Mark Abshire says opening day is coming up this week.

“We’re opening Friday. Friday morning 9-to-9. That’s the only school day that we’re opening at nine in the morning. The rest of the season, if it’s a school day, we won’t open until noon. So, other than that, we’re open 9-to-9 every day starting on Friday. Well, actually the truth is, we will be having some skating going on…actually school kids. So, some of the classes are going to be coming in the morning between 9:00 and noon, when we normally otherwise would have been open, but they’ll be private school skating. So, it just won’t be open to the public until noon.”

Abshire stopped by KONP’s Morning Scramble Show Monday to fill in the details. He says there are 3 main things he wanted to get out to the public. Volunteer, skate, and get your waiver signed. Abshire says they’ll need hundreds of volunteers again this year, and it still comes with some sweet perks.

“Lots of fun positions. It’s just fun to be down there with the kids, and you get a free skate ticket if you do a shift. It’s transferable. You can give it to your grandkids, or your kids or whatever.”

If you or your kids do want to skate, you’ll have to sign a waiver, but you can do that ahead of time by going to the website at wintericevillage.org.

Tickets go on sale Friday, and skates are available if you don’t have your own.

“Most people would just pay when they come to skate. Because, when you buy a ticket, it’s good all day.” “You can leave and go to lunch and come back?”. “Yes. Yeah. You’re good all day. The $15 is good for the entire day.” “That’s great.” “Or 10 bucks, if you’re a kid.”

Again, volunteers are needed now for all kinds of positions and shifts. Learn more at wintericevillage.org.