For the third consecutive January the City of Danville kicked off the year’s First Fridays events by holding FIRE AND ICE at the David S. Palmer Arena. The Danville Fire Department was there, along with the usual loads of fun and treats. And down by the ice; helping with the ice skating, and saucer sledding for the little kids; was Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr.
AUDIO: I love the joy of seeing the parents, the aunts, the uncles, their faces; and how excited they are going around the corners with the kids on this ice. They just love it. It takes you right back to your childhood, just to watch the parents light up, and kids’ faces light up. I think that’s the most important thing is that they’re building memories.
(1st Picture) The styrofoam snowball fight has become a tradition at FIRE AND ICE.
And when it comes to the little kids seven and under being pulled across the ice in saucers; Danville Community Relations Administrator Rheanna Ollis says she gets specific requests for that.
AUDIO: I had a bunch of parents reach out and basically say “our kids love this. They would hate skating because it’s too rough on them.” So we’re really happy to just be able to offer it; and offer an opportunity to come out and skate and sled.
(2nd Picture) D102’s Tommy B works the PA microphone at FIRE AND ICE.
And just like the Downtown First Fridays events, plenty of visitors drive into Danville for the fun.
AUDIO: Here we are bringing in people from not only surrounding counties in Illinois, but now Indiana, it’s just fantastic.
One those Indiana visitors was Natalie from Perrysville.
AUDIO: This is the second year we’ve come. We’ve really enjoyed in both times; especially for people with younger kids. It’s really great.
