Get Off The Couch: The ice rink cometh

photo Lisa Denton and Barry Courter

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, in addition to all of the eating I plan to do this week - and it's a considerable amount - there are quite a few big events on the schedule. Thanksgiving is Thursday, of course, so that's the big one, but that also means the Lighted Boat Parade is the next day, and there is something new that a lot of people are excited about. Ice on the Landing - the outdoor ice skating rink down at the riverfront - opens that night as well.

I know you can rent skates there, but I failed to ask if they will have skates with training wheels available. Or maybe I can rent one of those giant sumo wrestling suits they have at some bars.

LISA DENTON: Training wheels sound like a great idea. I'm sure I'll need something like that. This rink will be 50 by 70 feet, and I expect I'll cover every inch of it on my backside. But it should be a good time for people who know what they're doing.

BARRY: Maybe we could volunteer as a Zamboni.

LISA: Or a Bambini, which is a Baby Zamboni. I saw it on the Google.

BARRY: Ice on the Landing will be located on the Green at Ross's Landing and will be open until Jan. 4. The hours will be centered essentially on when kids get out of school for the holidays, so nights and weekends for the next couple of weeks, then afternoon and evening hours.

LISA: This is a cool addition to the riverfront kickoff to the holiday season. The Lighted Boat Parade usually has about 40 boats that circle between the Walnut Street Bridge and the Olgiati Bridge. Then a fireworks show signals the illumination of downtown buildings and bridges and parks. And there's music and food and a live Nativity. Plus, you can donate to local nonprofits at Gifts That Give Hope. It's really a special night.

BARRY: And just because I saw them a hundred years ago at a party on the lake, I want to point out that The Tams will perform Wednesday at Gem Theatre in Calhoun, Ga. Who doesn't love "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"? Going to have to work on my Shag dance steps.

LISA: The Watusi is another good beach dance -- and a good word in general. Maybe that's what I should call my moves on the ice. Watusi ... ice-tushy. I'll give it some thought.

You should work on your Texas two-step, too. Vince Gill will be at the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday for "A Song for the Children," the annual benefit he does for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County. The opening act will be Season 12 "American Idol" finalist Janelle Arthur, who's from Oliver Springs, Tenn., near Harriman.

BARRY: There are a couple of other opportunities -- in addition to the dancing -- to get rid of a few calories after -- and even before -- all the eating. The Grateful Gobbler Walk is Thanksgiving morning at Coolidge Park.

And Tennessee state parks, including Red Clay State Historic Park in Cleveland, are hosting after-Thanksgiving hikes on Friday.

But the biggie, of course, is that it's Black Friday, so there will be power-shopping going on. I understand it can get pretty physical.

LISA: That's where I need a Zamboni. When I kick into high gear, get outta my way.

Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

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