This Friday, December 14, is the grand opening of Penguins Pond and the public’s first chance to experience the long-awaited  Highmark Stadium. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Highmark Stadium are celebrating the third annual Penguins Pond with some very special entertainment activities for skaters. Grand opening events will take place at Penguins Pond all throughout the opening weekend. All grand opening weekend activities are included with the price to skate.  Regular admission for public skating is $7/person and $3 for skate rental.

The grand opening weekend schedule is as follows:

Friday, December 14 at 2 p.m.
The grand opening of the ice rink, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, is scheduled for 2 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and then enjoy public skating, free of charge, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, December 15 at 6 p.m.
Some of Pittsburgh’s most beloved mascots, AMO, from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Iceburgh, from the Pittsburgh Penguins  will be on the ice for this rare opportunity to skate with these mascots.

Sunday, December 16
Open skate times will be inter-mixed with world-class figure skating shows the entire family can enjoy when The Robert Morris University Island Sports Center presents “A Magical Christmas.”

Some of the most accomplished adult and child figure skaters in Western Pennsylvania will bring the magic of the holidays to life with professional skating shows based on your favorite characters and Disney classics, including Ken & Barbie, The Incredibles, Toy Story and Tangled.

Sunday’s skating shows will be around 10 minutes in length each and will take place at approximately 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:35 p.m. during breaks in open skating times.

The 2013 Penguins Pond outdoor ice rink will operate from December 14 to January 13. The ice rink will mark the first public event held at Highmark Stadium. The rink is a collaborative effort of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Highmark Stadium and 84 Lumber.

Since 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins have constructed an outdoor ice rink in Pittsburgh at locations like Heinz Field and Southside Works.  Last year, more than 30,000 individuals visited the Penguins Pond.

Penguins Pond “public” hours will be Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. and Sundays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. The rink will also offer rental rates to hockey leagues. The Pond is closed Christmas Day.

The public is encouraged to follow Highmark Stadium on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on Penguins Pond and for special offers.