knoxville holiday on ice

Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, the ice-skating rink on Market Square in downtown Knoxville, returns for a third season in 2007 under the umbrella of a newly formed non-profit organization, Center City Events.

The primary mission of Center City Events is to organize and produce distinguished special events that compliment Knoxville's bustling downtown and increase community involvement with City revitalization.

"DoubleJay Creative recently went through a significant reorganization. Upon deciding to get out of the events business, it was clear that the ice rink was one event that needed to continue for the betterment of the City. That's where the idea for this new non-profit began. I think Knoxville needs an organization dedicated to signature events within the downtown area, to help connect Knoxvillians with their ever-improving downtown," said DoubleJay Creative President Larsen Jay.

For the past two years, tens of thousands of Knoxville residents and regional visitors laced up and took to the ice - reaffirming Knoxville's Holidays on Ice as a permanent holiday tradition. Families, children, friends and groups came from all over East Tennessee to experience this one-of-a-kind venue in the heart of downtown Knoxville.

"The ice rink has quickly become one of my favorite things about downtown Knoxville. I love it because it brings out everyone- from downtown dwellers to suburban families- from all over our region. It has also become an economic driver for downtown and the center of holiday life," said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam.

Generous sponsor support over the past two years helped launch this family friendly ice skating event on Market Square. To ensure the long-term success, Knoxville's Holidays on Ice requires additional community support. The upcoming 2007 seasons marks a pivotal financial turning point for Knoxville's Holidays on Ice as a permanent part of the holiday season.

"This event is an enormous logistical feat that requires all the resources we can find. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we've been able to revive the tradition, but now need businesses and organizations to understand the magnitude of the event and step up to the plate to ensure the ice rink's stable future in downtown Knoxville," said DoubleJay Creative President Larsen Jay.

For the past two years, the rink operated under the support of the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) and was produced by DoubleJay Creative. The event's success and need for longevity now dictates it stand alone as a non-profit entity under Center City Events. Center City Events has elected a Board of Directors and in the coming weeks will be applying for non-profit status under a 501(c)(3) with the IRS.

2007 Dates:    Friday / November 23, 2007 through Tuesday / January 1, 2008