While Silver Springers have enjoyed the long-awaited ice rink on Veterans Plaza since December 18, the skating venue received the VIP treatment on Saturday with the official dedication celebration hosted by County Executive Ike Leggett.

Local band dc motors took the stage just before noon, entertaining the crowd with a mix of classic rock, R & B and modern rock, while people enjoyed cookies from Potbelly and kept warm with hot chocolate from Eggspectation.

Silver Spring Regional Center Director Reemberto Rodriguez was both excited and anxious.

“What a great place this has become for the public; we are finally in the business of having a real public square. I am totally thrilled, yet challenged, since I still don’t know how to skate!”

Rodriguez formally opened the event by thanking city and council officials, as well as Tri-State Ice Management, LLC for making the ice rink a reality, then introduced “the one person most responsible for this great public space,” County Executive Ike Leggett.

Leggett offered his appreciation to Rodriguez, Department of General Services Director David Dise and “the veterans for whom this Plaza in named after.” Leggett also beamed about the “chance for us to show the continued revitalization of the great community of Silver Spring."

After a ceremony featuring the cutting of a ribbon made up of ice skates, the Blair High School hockey team wowed the chilly crowd with their skating and puck-shooting prowess before the general public was invited to skate.

Citizens who brought either a food donation to benefit the Manna Food Center or a gently used winter coat to aid Shepherd's Table received a pass for a free 50-minute skating session. While Shepherd’s Table Executive Director Jacki Coyle was pleased with the turnout — estimating that they had received approximately 150 coats — she reiterated the ongoing need that Shepherd’s table and other local charities experience during winter months for warm clothing.

“Who could have imagined this 10 years ago?” said Silver Spring resident Laura Jacobsen, who was placing a coat in the donation bin. She continued, “I like to do whatever I can to help out in my community and the free skating pass is a nice bonus.”

While waiting for their chance to skate, some children participated in Downtown Silver Spring’s “Make a Penguin Craft,” while others simply enjoyed the strolling entertainment of clowns and an ice queen.

Silver Spring Ice Skating is open from noon – 10 p.m., Mondays – Thursdays; noon – 11 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sundays.