Red Arrow Park's Slice of Ice rink, 920 N. Water St., opens on Friday for its ninth festive season of Downtown skating. The rink should stay open through at least mid-March (last season it officially closed on March 11).

Skating and blade sharpening are free, if you bring your own skates. Rental is $5.50. The rink's regular hours are Monday through Thursday 2-8 p.m..; Friday and Saturday 11a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.

For opening day, Milwaukee's many sporting mascots will race around the rink and a recital from the Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club launches the season at 4 p.m.