Oakland debuts its first outdoor ice rink

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU/BCN) - Oakland's first outdoor holiday ice rink opens Friday in the city's historic downtown neighborhood.

Oakland Central, which is sponsoring the celebration, is a marketing initiative of the Downtown Oakland and the Lake Merritt Uptown District associations.  

Organizers are aiming to make the rink an annual tradition. More than 25,000 visitors are anticipated to skate and twirl each year on the rink, which has been named the Old Oakland Holiday Ice Rink, 
according to Oakland Central. 

Mayor Libby Schaaf and councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney will attend the celebration at 6:30 p.m. The rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 6.