Photos: Marion Ice Loop opens at renovated City Square Park

Uptown Marion opened the new ice loop during its Christmas in the Park event on Friday.

Dec. 6, 2025 6:01 pm, Updated: Dec. 8, 2025 10:13 am

Community members skate around the ice loop during uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. The ice loop is open Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday and Friday, the loop opens from 5-10 p.m. On Saturday, it is open from 12-10 p.m. On Sunday, the loop is open from 12-6 p.m. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

A sign saying “Marion Bright” was in uptown Marion during Christmas in the Park on Friday. Alpha-Lit Iowa, located in Cedar Rapids, set up the sign. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Justin Scott (right), of Hiawatha, Tristen Scott (center), 12, and Kearston Teats, of Hiawatha, warm up by a fire pit near the ice loop during uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Justin said he enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the music playing in the ice loop during the event. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Ice loop employee Caleb Fox hands ice skates to community members during uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skate rentals are $3 per pair of skates, and admission onto the ice loop is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children ages 4 and under get free admission. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Jerica Christensen, of Cedar Rapids, exchanges a pair of skates for another size at the Skate Shack during uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Ice loop season passes are $32 for adults and $24 for children. For more information on prices and hours visit the Marion Parks and Recreation Facebook page. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Volunteer Tristen Lester, 16, takes a photo of the Dunn family in front of a light display during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Lester said this is her first year attending and volunteering for Christmas in the Park, and she said she’s enjoyed being able to help families make memories. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Katie Shao (left), of Anamosa, plays in the snow with Elyse Shoa, 3, during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Katie said she and her family have enjoyed seeing the lights throughout Uptown Marion.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Ice operator Jochen Ideker, of Marion, drives a Zamboni on the ice loop during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Ideker said he’s always wanted to drive a Zamboni, and decided to apply once he saw the position online. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Uptown Marion's city Christmas tree is reflected on the surface of the ice loop after the ice operator Jochen Ideker, of Marion, drove the Zamboni to resurface the ice during Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skate rentals are $3 per pair of skates, and admission onto the ice loop is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children ages 4 and under get free admission. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club member Taylor Labelle Weber, of Iowa City, performs during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skating coach Tanya Street Pope said the club has been around for nearly 25 years, and they teach all levels of skating. For more information on the club, visit eifsc.org.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Community members line up around the Depot Pavilion for a chance to see Santa during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. For information on Santa visits, visit Marion’s Chamber of Commerce website. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Andrew Marshall (left), of Tiffin, Jessie Marshall (center), of Tiffin, and Teddy Marshall, 2, walk through the light displays during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Jessie said they have enjoyed walking through local shops and seeing Uptown Marion decorated with Christmas lights. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Antioch Christian Church members Alyne Lopes (left), of Marion, laughs at a joke April Smith (right), of Marion, says as they tear down their snow globe photo booth during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Members of Antioch Christian Church also handed out hot chocolate to community members during the event. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Will Maker, of Marion, helps his nephew Brody Jekins, 2, ice skate around the ice loop during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Maker said he liked seeing community members enjoy their time together during the event. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Sam Bast (left), 17, of Cedar Rapids, and Paie Harksen, 17, of Cedar Rapids, skate around the ice loop during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. The ice loop is open Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday and Friday, the loop opens from 5-10 p.m. On Saturday, it is open from 12-10 p.m. On Sunday, the loop is open from 12-6 p.m.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Community members take videos of the Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club’s performance during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. The Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club operates out of the ImOn Ice Arena to teach kids and adults how to skate. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club member Carly Burgess, of Cedar Rapids, gets ready for their final performance to “Silent Night” during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skating coach Tanya Street Pope said they teach all levels of skaters from recreational to competition. For more information on the club, visit eifsc.org.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club member Darren Yarker, 12, of Cedar Rapids, performs to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skating coach Tanya Street Pope said it’s been wonderful seeing skaters from all ages and backgrounds learn and grow through the club. For more information on the club, visit eifsc.org.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club member Laurel Gammon, of Cedar Rapids, cues in club members during their performance for Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Skating coach Tanya Street Pope said it’s been wonderful seeing skaters from all ages and backgrounds learn and grow through the club. For more information on the club, visit eifsc.org.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Amy Kepler (left), of Marion, and Jon Kepler, of Marion cheer after the city Christmas tree was lit during uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Amy said the displays and ice loop made uptown Marion look magical, and she enjoyed seeing the community together. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Laiken Johnson (left), 9, of Marion, and Lennox Johnson, 9, of Marion, play in the snow during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. Their dad, Jason Johnson, said they enjoyed the hot chocolate. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Anneliese DeWild, 5, of Solon, smiles as Mr. and Mrs. Claus look through magazine clippings of toys she would like for Christmas during Uptown Marion's Christmas inside the Depot Pavilion on Friday. DeWild said her favorite part about the event was meeting Santa. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Community members skate around the ice loop during Uptown Marion's Christmas in the Park on Friday. For up-to-date information on the ice loop, visit the Marion Parks and Recreation Facebook page. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

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