Ice Skating show comes to Belize
Last year when a Mexican circus brought polar bears to Belize people were amazed that these big animals so used to cold weather could stand the tropical heat. Well, if you thought that was impressive, another traveling show has gone one better. They have brought an entire ice rink and a team of ice skaters. Belize’s children are sure to flip when they see, for themselves, something they thought they could only see on TV. News Five’s Janelle Chanona not only spoke with the Hollywood on Ice crew, she actually laced up some skates and had a little audition…well kind of.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Tonight for perhaps the first time in history, there will be ice-skating in Belize. And it’s not just any your usual skaters, everybody from Barney to Barbie to the Little Mermaid will be whipping by.
This may be ice but that doesn’t mean it’s cool under the big top. But don’t worry, Hollywood on Ice brought their own state-of-the-art equipment that can handle even Belize’s heat.
Daniel Acosta, Promoter, Hollywood on Ice
“There’s a wooden platform of about sixty centimeters in height and underneath it, there are tubes that contain a liquid that freezes the water when we pour it on top. And we do this until we get the desired thickness, which is about three and a half to four inches. So far we have frozen forty tons of ice in about ten hours.”
The ice may only takes a few hours to harden but getting inside this rink takes years. Julia Mospan has been skating since she was four. She says it was difficult to learn to move around on the blades on her feet but now, she got it down pat.
Julia Mospan, Skater
“Yeah, for some parts, I can do it with my eyes closed but not every part is so easy, sometimes I get dizzy. I have to practice a lot.”
Little Ernesto is seven years old and he’s already got two years under his belt. He convinced me that skating was as easy as it looked.
Unfortunately, the ice machine isn’t able to keep things cold all day and still be good for the evening shows so for the public can’t just come in and skate. But you are invited to stop by the City Center to see show. I promise the performers will be better than I am.
Okay, so I’m not going to give up my day job but hey, with a little more practice I might just be the newest edition to Hollywood on Ice.
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
The first show started a half an hour ago but there will be another at 8:30 tonight. Hollywood on Ice will also be in Belize City Friday so get your tickets early. The show will also travel to Dangriga, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, Corozal and Belmopan for nightly performances. Hollywood on Ice have been to just about every country in Europe, Latin, South, and Central America.
