Janelle Irwin Taylor
Christmas in downtown St. Petersburg is a little different this year — better by most accounts.
One of the most notable changes to the city’s holiday display is the absence of the popular nativity scene that has been on display in North Straub Park every year since former Mayor Rick Baker raised private funds to purchase it.
But the display didn’t just disappear in an act of political defiance against the defeated former Mayor. It moved about a mile down the road to Al Lang Stadium where, according to Mayor Rick Kriseman’s staff, it was put to be more accessible to holiday celebrants by providing closer parking proximity.
The manger scene is part of a holiday walking trail featuring thousands of lights illuminating North Straub Park south to Al Lang Stadium. There’s a giant dreidel, a larger-than-life holiday card and Santa’s Wonderland, complete with the bearded gift-giver himself through December 23 from 6-9 p.m.
St. Pete also launched its first-ever outdoor (real) ice rink at Albert Whitted Park.
The city is using a 200-ton ice chiller to keep the ice frozen despite the city’s often balmy December weather. A giant white tent protects the rink from wind and rain. The sides will be rolled up, weather permitting, so skaters can enjoy the thrill of the ice and the unseasonal Florida warmth. The rink is open most evenings and weekends until January 7.
Skating is $10 an hour. That fee includes skate rental.
The rink is a one-up on Tampa where residents and visitors can skate on artificial ice around the Holidays at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
The city is also hosting a viewing of the movie “Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws” at 7 p.m. December 21 in Vinoy Park. Previous viewings included “A Christmas Story,” the cult classic “you’ll shoot your eye out” story of a boy and his beloved air rifle, and “The Santa Clause.”
