Community Event - Smiths Falls/Perth/North Grenville - SKATE THE LAKE on Family Day Weekend

Excitement is building for the 15th Annual Skate the Lake on the Big Rideau, the largest lake on the Rideau Canal, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. This year on the Family Day Weekend, (Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th ), the zamboni will be making ‘the rounds’ to ensure that the world class oval will be ready for both international competitive skaters and recreational skaters who just want to have fun. After the Opening Ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. and greetings from the Dutch Ambassador, Henk van der Zwan, for the first time in the history of Skate the Lake, 60 skaters from The Netherlands, along with local and North American skaters will participate in a 100k timed race.  On Sunday, there are 5, 10, 25, 50 and 5 x 1k races and for children under 12, a 5k.  Registration is required for these events and further information about registration fees and start times can be found on the Skate the Lake website  www.skatethelakeportland.com. Other activities include an Ice Stock demo (a winter sport similar to curling), youth curling and a children’s skating area. You can warm themselves around a bonfire, take a horse-drawn wagon ride or grab a bite to eat or drink; Snert (a Dutch pea soup), Skate Tails, Chili and of course, hot chocolate or, you can shop at the Portland Outdoors Boutique. After the races, everyone can skate to music