The rink is the latest addition to Winter Wonderfest—the holiday exhibit in its second year at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal.
The new rink is three times larger than last year’s rink and has real ice. It sits alongside carnival rides, a Christmas village where guests can visit with Santa and a drive-through light display at Cape Henlopen state park.
The rink cost the state $100,000 but will return revenue charging $10 for adults and $8 for kids to rent skates and use the rink. Skating lessons are also available. Delaware Tourism Director Liz Keller says this is an investment in off-season beach tourism.
“By being able to have thousands of visitors coming to the beach area in December, we’re hoping to capitalize on that and make them return visitors when the summertime comes along,” said Keller.
The non-profit Festival of Cheer puts on the event and Keller says the group has already succeeded in boosting tourism to Delaware beaches. 47,000 people visited Winter Wonderfest last year from 26 different states.
“So they have a wonderful organization that has come together and brought in sponsors and the community to rally around it,” said Keller.
The rink opens Friday and closes after New Year’s Eve.
