OKC’s Downtown in December winding down, officially ends New Year’s Day
Children look at the state Capitol display at OK CityScape, the Lego recreation of Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Downtown in December officially ends on New Year’s Day
With the holidays winding down, merrymakers have until Sunday to try snow tubing, check out the Lego recreation of Oklahoma City or see the festive lights displays
With the holidays winding down, merrymakers have just a few more days to take part in most of Oklahoma City’s Downtown in December festivities.
“We’re really excited to continue Downtown in December through Jan. 1,” said Gentry McKeown, communications coordinator for Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. “People usually think of it as a Christmas event. But we like to extend it through the New Year because we know families still have guests in for the holidays and they’re still looking for ways to entertain.”
Skaters glide across the Devon Ice Rink at the Myriad Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City on Dec. 22. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
While Downtown in December officially ends Sunday night, one of the most popular attractions, the Devon Ice Rink at the renovated Myriad Botanical Gardens, will remain open for skaters through Feb. 5.
“There’s no point in closing it on the first when we’re going to have really good ice-skating weather for the next few months,” McKeown said.
Chesapeake Snow Tubing at RedHawks Field will offer thrill-seekers 90-minute sessions on the man-made slopes at noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday.
In its second year in Automobile Alley, the OK CityScape Lego recreation of downtown Oklahoma City’s skyline will go dark after New Year’s Eve. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission to popular toy-block realm benefits Oklahoma City Educare, a school for disadvantaged children.
Although the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory won’t have daytime hours New Year’s Day, it will be open and offering free admission from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday as part of Downtown in December.
“More and more people come out every year. Downtown in December has been more successful as the years go on, and this year is no exception. There have been more people at this year’s event than last year’s, and we hope to continue that for years to come,” McKeown said.
The light displays in Automobile Alley, Midtown and the Myriad Gardens will remain illuminated through Sunday night, and Sonic Segway Santa will continue making the rounds in downtown handing out gift cards through the weekend.
It will be a particularly bustling holiday weekend in downtown, with the Arts Council of Oklahoma City staging its Opening Night 2012 New Year’s festivities in eight different venues, the Oklahoma City Thunder playing the Phoenix Suns Saturday night in the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Oklahoma City Barons taking the ice Saturday night in the Cox Convention Center, and the Flaming Lips ringing in New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at the Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center.
“We love seeing lots of foot traffic in downtown Oklahoma City. It just makes it feel more festive. And it’s really exciting to see people coming downtown and making it a destination,” McKeown said.
GOING ON
Downtown in December
When: Through Sunday.
Where: Various locations in downtown Oklahoma City.
Information: www.downtownindecember.com.
-BAM
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[...] OKC's Downtown in December winding down, officially ends New Year's Day Children look at the state Capitol display at OK CityScape, the Lego recreation of Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman From Friday's Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. … Read more on NewsOK.com (blog) [...]