From January 7 to 22, the Southern Riverina will have a patch of winter wonderland right in our own backyard.
It may be hot outside, but you will need your winter jacket and gloves to go ice skating, indoors, at the Finley Showgrounds.
The Finley Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with Berrigan Shire Council to access funding from the NSW State Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program.
This has made it possible for entry costs to be kept exceptionally low.
Finley Chamber president Rick Shaw said ice skating is fun for all ages, and chamber members hope the whole community will come out to enjoy this unique event for Finley.
"It is a costly event to run, however the chamber has been looking to bring something completely different to our community - and I think we have found it,“ Mr Shaw said.
“We are budgeting to break even and hope that locals and visitors will come from far and wide to cool off and try something they might never have done or even thought of doing.”
“Finley can draw day and overnight visitors from Deniliquin, Echuca Moama, Shepparton, Albury and Wagga Wagga and we think that ice skating in the middle of summer will get people on the move to visit Finley.
“We hope that our main street traders will get on board as we will only be offering limited refreshments at the event site. We will be encouraging people to stop in town for meals.
“It’s time for everyone in our community to have all their friends and relatives over for a visit, and make a party of it at the ice skating”
To avoid disappointment, you should book your ice skating tickets early at www.finley.starsonice.com.au/tickets.
Tickets would even make a great Christmas gift.
A skating session will last for 45 minutes, with a 15 minute changeover in between to give everyone enough time to get skates on and get accustomed to being 8cm taller than when they sat down.
Skaing will be available from 10am to 8pm each day the skating rink is in Finley.
Tickets are $7 per person, plus a booking fee. Family tickets are available.