'It's really fun to hang out with family and friends': Slice of Ice opens at Red Arrow Park

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park opened Friday, Christmas Eve at 11 a.m. Families and friends grabbed their skates and headed downtown. 

It's the perfect way to "skate" into the Christmas weekend. People say it was their first stop of the day.

"We spent the night at Saint Kate last night and the kids been watching from the window, waiting until 11 a.m. when it opened," Brian Sterricker said. He and his wife brought their kids to the rink. 

High temperatures in December melted the ice at the rink. Workers had to start from scratch to get the ice ready.

"It's really fun to hang out with friends and family," George Sterricker said. 

Some people were not good skaters, but they survived the ice. 

"Do you know how to skate?"

"Uh, 'ish'..." Katie Randall laughed. She went skating with her son Foster. 

"It's not something I grew up doing, but the kids love to do it and they will try anything five times, so here we are," Brian Sterricker said. 

CBS 58 met 6-year-old Harris Radtke. He says his skills are top tier.

"I can get up off the ice without even putting my hands on the ground." 

After skating, he's heading to grandma's house. 

"We're planning to go to grandma Susie's house for Christmas and I think she will give me money, enough money. I told her to give me enough money." 

The rink will be open on Friday, Dec 24 until 8 p.m., Christmas Day from 3-11 p.m. and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. until Jan 1.