Very, Merry Mobile promises weeks of whimsy, wonder
Riverside Ice Nov. 14, 2015
Above: Visitors to Riverside Ice are ice skating (and falling) in downtown Mobile. (Mike Kittrell/Alabama NewsCenter)
For the second straight year, Mobilians can expect a 100 percent chance of snow downtown this holiday season as Winter Wonderland returns to Cathedral Square Saturday, Dec. 19 as one of a half-dozen events slated to bring residents and visitors a “Very, Merry Mobile.”
The festivities actually begin in Bienville Square Nov. 20 with the “Lighting of the Trees” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson will be joined at the ceremony by Santa Claus, with the Jolly Old Elf hanging around afterward to visit with those on the nice list while offering guidance to those with a few weeks left to work their way off the naughty list.
The switch for the Lighting of the Tree and the Ceiling of Lights down Dauphin Street will be thrown promptly at 6:10 p.m.
Meanwhile, city of Mobile spokesman George Talbot confirmed Riverside Ice is expected to resume operations this weekend after inclement weather earlier in the week forced the outdoor rink’s closing and maintenance.
An offshoot of the Mayor’s Initiative on Tourism, Riverside Ice is intended to bring a little wintry activity to Lower Alabama through Jan. 12 at Cooper Riverside Park. Sponsored by Airbus Group, the rink will be open 7 days a week from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Click here for more information.
Other upcoming “Very, Merry Mobile” events include:
- The second annual Menorah Lighting in Bienville Square, featuring free crafts, food, dreidels and music. The date and time have not yet been announced.
- Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. “The great thing about Small Business Saturday in downtown Mobile is that, in addition to friendly, helpful salespeople and locally produced, one-of-a-kind gifts, shoppers can take a much-needed break at one of 40 restaurants,’’ said Carol Hunter, spokeswoman for the Downtown Mobile Alliance. “They can sit in a sidewalk cafe and enjoy a meal or beverage and watch the world go by as they recharge for a second – or third – round of shopping.
- Elfapalooza at ArtWalk from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 in Bienville Square as Mobile attempts for the second time to break the Guinness World Record for most “elves” in one place. Participants must wear red, green, an elf hat and – most importantly – pointy ears. The official “Walk of Elves” is slated for 7:10 p.m.
- Winter Wonderland from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 in Cathedral Square. Modeled after the Christmas market in Hamburg, Germany, the Winter Wonderland will treat revelers to machine-made snow ample enough for snowball fights, but Santa will be on hand for photos, and last-minute presents, locally grown produce and baked goods can be purchased. After shopping and snow shenanigans subside, participants are asked to consider wandering a few blocks to Bienville Square, where the Bay Area Food Bank will be accepting donations.
- MoonPie over Mobile from 6 p.m to 12:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. The eighth edition of Mobile’s New Year’s Eve celebration will feature R&B artists En Vogue as the headliner alongside a host of family-friendly entertainment. Where else can you ring in the new year with the world’s largest MoonPie Drop?
“Mobilians are born to celebrate, and the holidays are especially reason to visit,” Stacy Hamilton, spokeswoman for Visit Mobile, said. “With special events every weekend from now until the new year as well as special holiday rates at many hotels, holiday visitors will find something exciting for the entire family.”
