BROOKINGS – Skaters from the Brookings Figure Skating Club will present “Wizard of Oz on Ice” during the 25th annual ice show at Larson Ice Center on Saturday at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Discounted ice show tickets are available in advance from club members and at the Hy-Vee customer service counter in Brookings. The discounted prices are $7 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Preschoolers are free. Tickets will also be sold at the door for an additional $2 per ticket. 

This year’s performance will feature 44 girls and boys, ranging from 4 to 18 years of age, including special solo performances by the club’s two high school seniors.

The annual ice show is a partnership between the Brookings Figure Skating Club and the City of Brookings Parks, Recreation, and Forestry department.

“Each fall, many of our club members participate in group lessons through Park & Rec. Some skaters also enhance their skills by taking lesson with private coaches,” explained the club’s membership chairperson, Trish Matson Buus. “The annual ice show is the culmination of our membership year, and the skaters look forward to the performances all season.”

Ice show director Katie Bratberg said, “The Wizard of Oz has been an all-time favorite for so many folks from several generations, and we’re delighted to bring the characters to life on the ice. The skaters have been working so, so hard – several of them are at the rink fives times a week! Between the dedication of the skaters and the collaboration with my fantastic team of assistant coaches, I couldn’t be more proud of this program.”

First-year club member Aleah Olson was cast as a “Citizen of Oz” and is looking forward to her ice show debut. Olson is a first-grader at Volga Christian School and stated, “It’s really fun, but it also takes a lot of patience. When I first started, there was a lot I couldn’t do, but I kept practicing, and now look at me! The coaches really helped me, and that’s what makes it so fun.”

The figure skating club’s two graduating seniors currently attend Brookings High School.

Emily Stratmoen has skated for many years, has participated in figure skating competitions, and has enjoyed teaching skate lessons through the Park and Rec program. Next year, Stratmoen plans to attend the University of Nebraska, majoring Criminology and Criminal Justice with intentions to attend law school.

Charlotte League began skating when she was six years old and she has enjoyed participating in many ice shows and figure skating competitions over the years. After graduation, League will be attending Northern Colorado University in Greeley, Colorado, majoring in Music Education.

During intermission at each show, concessions will be available. Additionally, a variety of fresh flowers will be available for purchase for those who want to congratulate their favorite skaters with a gift after the performance. Ice show attendees are invited to enjoy photo opportunities with costumed skaters, such as Dorothy, Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and many others during the “meet and greet” in the lobby after each show. Young fans may even wish to bring a small notebook for autographs.

The Brookings Figure Skating Club is dedicated to promoting the sport of amateur figure skating, providing continual education and training opportunities for its members, and instilling good sportsmanship. The club provides an ala carte approach to recreational and competitive programming to help encourage each skater to achieve his or her own goals in a safe and healthy environment. For more information or to inquire about joining, visit the “Brookings Figure Skating Club” page on Facebook or email the club’s board of directors at brookingsfsc@gmail.com.