When we first imagined bringing a real outdoor ice-skating rink to Atwater, many people thought it was impossible. An ice rink in the middle of California’s Central Valley? It sounded like a dream. One that would take an incredible amount of planning, determination, and community support to become a reality. But in the winter of 2021, that dream became real.
What started as an ambitious vision quickly became one of the most memorable holiday traditions our community has ever experienced. For five incredible seasons, families gathered together, children laced up skates for the very first time, friends created lifelong memories, and visitors from throughout Merced County and beyond discovered something truly special in the heart of Old Town Atwater.
Today, as we reflect on this journey, we do so with overwhelming gratitude. From the very beginning, our goal was never simply to build an ice rink. Our goal was to create an experience—something that would bring people together, inspire joy, encourage families to spend time together, and show what is possible when a community believes in a shared vision. Looking back, we are incredibly proud to say that we accomplished exactly that. Over the course of five unforgettable seasons, thousands upon thousands of people stepped onto the ice. For many children growing up in the Central Valley, this was their very first experience skating on real ice. The excitement on their faces, the laughter that filled the rink, and the confidence they gained after taking those first wobbly steps became the true measure of our success.
One of the accomplishments we are most proud of was our commitment to making this experience accessible to local students. Each season, we partnered with schools throughout the Atwater Elementary School District to provide thousands of complimentary skating admissions and educational field trips. Many students who otherwise may never have had the opportunity to visit a real ice rink were able to experience something completely new without cost becoming a barrier. Watching school buses arrive filled with excited students became one of our favorite traditions. For so many children, their day on the ice wasn’t just another field trip, it was a memory they would carry with them for life.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. We are deeply grateful to our title sponsor, Razzari Auto Centers, whose commitment helped make this vision a reality year after year. Their belief in our mission allowed us to dream bigger and continue improving the experience with each passing season. We are equally thankful to our many generous community sponsors, including Larissa Sherman, United Way Merced, and so many other businesses, organizations, and individuals who invested in this project because they believed in what it meant for our community. Every sponsorship represented more than financial support
Behind the scenes, the ice rink was an enormous undertaking. What many visitors experienced as a magical evening on the ice required months of preparation, countless hours of planning, logistical coordination, fundraising, equipment management, staffing, volunteer recruitment, maintenance, marketing, weather monitoring, and problem-solving. Every season brought new challenges. There were obstacles we anticipated and many we did not. Like any ambitious community project, there were moments when we were forced to adapt, innovate, and find creative solutions. Every year taught us valuable lessons, and every season made us stronger than the one before it.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of the ice rink isn’t measured by attendance numbers or event statistics. It is measured by memories.
It is found in family photos taken beside the rink. In first dates. In grandparents watching grandchildren skate for the first time. In siblings helping one another across the ice. In children discovering a new confidence after falling down, getting back up, and finishing their first lap around the rink.
These moments cannot be measured. But they are exactly why this project mattered. Over five seasons, the rink became more than an attraction. It became a tradition. Families planned annual visits. Friends reunited each holiday season. People traveled from neighboring communities throughout Merced County and beyond to experience something unique that could only be found in Old Town Atwater. Seeing our downtown filled with life, laughter, and smiling faces reminded us why community events matter so much. They create connections. They strengthen local businesses. They build hometown pride. Most importantly, they remind us that communities thrive when people come together.
As we close this chapter, we do so with immense pride. From the beginning, we set a five-year goal to bring real outdoor ice skating to Atwater. Today, we can proudly say that we accomplished that goal. What once seemed impossible became reality because so many people chose to believe in the vision.
With heartfelt appreciation,
To every sponsor…
To every volunteer…
To every community partner…
To every family that visited…
To every school that joined us…
And to every child who stepped onto the ice…
Thank you for a magical 5 years.
