Twin rinks hosts 'Holiday Spectacular'

Samantha Cesario was an alternate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi last February.

Susan Grieco/Herald

The Twin Rink Skaters performed at the Twin Rinks' Holiday Spectacular ice show last Sunday at its Eisenhower Park facility.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Dean Karahalis and the Concert Pops Orchestra entertained a sellout crowd of 2,700.

Susan Grieco/Herald

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A sellout crowd of 2,700 arrived at the Twin Rinks Ice Center in Eisenhower Park last Sunday for Nassau County’s Holiday Spectacular, a mix of musical and skating performances.

Local skater Samantha Cesario, of Oceanside, who was an Olympic alternate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi last February, was among the performers who entertained the crowd. Other skaters included Sara and Howard Zhao, Simone Kim and Jae Woong.

Atop the musical bill was Dean Karahalis and the Concert Pops Orchestra. Also featured were guest vocalists Deana Verone and Jim Sergi, and performances by the Floral Park Memorial High School Chorus, directed by Samantha Koch, and the Bethpage High School Choir, directed by Deborah Stehlik.

The event was the first of upcoming holiday shows planned at the ice center, said CJ Nizich, the facility’s marking and events coordinator. On Dec. 20, it will host Holiday Dreams on Ice, at 5:30 p.m., featuring a tree lighting, fireworks, and prominent figure skaters. Tickets can be reserved now at holidaydreamsonice.com.

The facility will also host a Skatin’ New Years Eve party, said Nizich, coinciding with the county’s annual New Year’s Eve Dash that begins at midnight. The party, he said, will have DJ entertainment, buffet food, desserts and drinks, as well as public skating, a demonstration by figure skaters, and mini hockey games. “Our goal is to try and make it a fun and safe environment, with a carnival-like atmosphere at Twin Rink,” Nizich said.

Registration is open at www.newyearsdash.com