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The event will take place from Feb 24 through 26 on a 40-foot-by-80 foot synthetic ice rink stretching from the Post Road to the gazebo in the center of the green, said Al DiGuido, owner of Saugatuck Sweets, who is organizing the fundraiser.
“It’s actually plastic, but you get 90 percent of the friction you get on regular ice,” he said.
The event will benefit DiGuido’s Al’s Angels, a charity that helps provide meals and toys for families in need at holidays, and Liv Free, a nonprofit that supports children with cancer and rare blood diseases by providing family fun events such as theater and sports tickets.
Al’s Angels provided about 3,200 holiday meals last year, in addition to collecting 12,000 toys for children.
“We’re trying to raise about $40,000 over the weekend,” DiGuido said. “The more money we raise the more kids we can help.”
Related story: Click here to read more about Al's Angels.
Tickets to the event, which are available only at Saugatuck Sweets of Westport or Fairfield and at the event itself, are $10 for a half-hour session. Skate rental is included in the fee.
The rink can hold about 90 skaters per session. Sessions begin at 4 p.m. each day.
DiGuido said he got the idea for the skating weekend when he saw a beautifully lit ice sculpture on the green during a holiday event.
In addition to skating, families can enjoy popcorn and hot chocolate, music and costumed characters, such as SpongeBob Squarepants at the Sherman Green.
DiGuido has already lined up 20 sponsors for the event, though he would be happy to take more at the $500 level. Sponsors will be recognized with banners around the rink.
“This town has got so many families with young kids,” he said. “It’s going to be like a winter carnival.”
Skating tickets must be purchased in person at Saugatuck Sweets at 575 Riverside Ave., Westport, or at the Saugatuck Sweets across from Sherman Green at 28 Reef Road, Fairfield. Tickets may be purchased at the event, but they may sell out before then, DeGuido said.
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