The ice rink at Fountain Square opens Friday, 21 days earlier than usual. 3CDC spokesman Joe Rudemiller says the rink has traditionally been open from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, and attracts about 50,000 skaters a season.
Rudemiller says the goal of the skating rink and programming at Fountain Square is to attract people downtown.
"Having the rink open the entire month of November, which is typically a tough month in which to program outside activities, allows us to offer fun events that attract different audiences to the heart of our city."
Rudemiller says the Fountain Square skating season was also shorter than rinks in other cities.
The rink will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The rink will be open every day, including holidays, until February 15th.
