⛸️ River Blades Fall 2025 Exciting Updates & Upcoming Events
Email sent 11/21/25
Happy Friday River Blades Families,
Get ready to lace up — our holiday season on ice is about to sparkle!”
The ice is calling, and we’ve got a flurry of fun coming your way! ❄️⛸️
🎨 Exciting News from the Hastings Civic Arena!
Have you seen the brand-new mural on the west side of the Hastings Civic Arena, facing Highway 61? Designed by Lili Lennox and Niko Alexander, this colorful artwork celebrates Hastings’ rich history and love for hockey — from iconic landmarks like the Big Blue Bridge to standout local athletes, including our very own Amanda Truax! Commissioned by the Hastings Arts and Culture Commission, the mural is a vibrant welcome to visitors and residents alike, highlighting teamwork, resilience, and community pride.
📸 Stop by for a photo and be sure to tag River Blades Skating School & use the hashtags #RiverBladesSkatingSchool and #RiverBladesSkating — we would love to see all our skaters enjoying the mural. Get creative with your skating poses!
Keep an eye out for the upcoming ribbon-cutting and dedication event — it’s a must-see for any hockey and figure skating fans! 🏒
📅 Schedule Updates:
No classes on Saturday, 11/29 — Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
Classes resume Saturday, 12/6 – Due to a hockey tournament that morning, the lobby will be busy. We will have our Skate School table inside the East Rink at the Hastings Civic Arena instead of the lobby.
Saturday, 12/20 – Evaluation Day & Last Day of Classes ✅
All classes will be evaluated, except Jump & Spin and Hockey Edge & Power Skating.
❄️ Winter Session 2026 Registration is Open!
Classes Begin: Saturday, January 17
Dates: January 17 – March 28 (No class 3/21)
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Register Online: River Blades Winter 2026 Classes
⛸️ Need Extra Practice Time?
The Hastings Civic Arena offers options for skaters who want more ice time:
Public Skate: Fridays 10:00–11:30 AM & Sundays 4:15–5:45 PM
Cost: $6.00
Check the arena website for any updates or changes to the schedule.
Designated Open Freestyle (Figure Skaters Only & Private Lesson Hockey Players with a River Blades ISI Certified Coach):
Saturdays 6:45–8:45 AM & Sundays 6:00–8:00 PM
Cost: $12.00
This is a great way for skaters to get extra practice, improve skills, and work on routines outside of class! 💪✨
👗 Ice Show Registration & Costume Measurements EXTENDED TO Sat. 11/22
This year’s Spring 20th Anniversary Ice Show theme is “Dreaming of Disney.” All levels are accepted!
Extended Registration & Costume Measurements: Saturday, Nov. 22 | 9:30–11:30 AM
Rehearsals: Begin in January, every Saturday before 10:00 AM
Dress Rehearsal: Friday, March 6
Ice Show Performance: Saturday, March 7
Register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxXfE9-vRzHhU_iUHmPFCZUyhu1Sy0cXFV8GSdwEuj8EffTQ/viewform
Performer info will be posted here when it comes available:
💜 Swiftie Skate
Hosted by the City of Hastings & River Blades Skating School
Calling all Swifties and Kelce fans! Join us for a magical Taylor Swift-themed skating event at the Hastings Civic Arena.
📆 Date: Monday, December 1 (No School for Hastings residents)
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Hastings Civic Arena
💵 Cost: $6 Admission & $4 Skate Rental (or bring your own skates)
Activities & Highlights:
🎶 Song Request Station
💫 Bracelet Making Station
📸 Photo Op Station
👗 Dress as your favorite T. Swift or Travis Kelce
🍿 Concessions Available
Bring your friends and your Swiftie energy for a fun-filled skate party — perfect for all ages! 🎉
📧 Questions: pmarschall@hastingsmn.gov
📞 Call: 651-480-6182
🔗 More info: HastingsMN.gov
🎄 Skate with Santa Performance & Event
📆 Date: Saturday, December 13 | 6:00 PM
Performing Classes: LTS #1 (Age 5+), LTS #2–4, Pre-Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Jump & Spin
Event Schedule:
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM | River Blades Skaters Perform
🎅 7:30–9:00 PM | Open Skate with Santa (Public Invited!)
🎁 Santa will skate 7:30–8:30 PM
💖 Suggested Donation: $2 benefiting the Hastings Family Service Food Shelf
Performer info will be sent in a separate email. Stay tuned for updates on our website:
🎉 Spread the Fun!
Keep friends and family in the loop by sharing our news and events: River Blades News
Please keep an eye on our website events page for updates and all exciting upcoming events!
Thank you for your continued energy and support — we’re looking forward to an exciting and joy-filled season on the ice! ⛸️✨
Warmly,
Amanda Truax
Owner/Director, River Blades Skating School
📧 RiverBladesSkatingSchool@gmail.com
📞 763-232-5195
🌐 www.RiverBladesSkating.com
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———————————————————————————————————————————-Email sent Oct. 2025 ⛸️ Hello River Blades Families!
The ice is calling, the skates are ready, and we have so many exciting things happening this season! From spooky Halloween fun 🎃 to Taylor Swift tunes on the ice at Swiftie Skate, our magical 20th Anniversary Ice Show ❄️, and of course our festive Skate with Santa event 🎅, there’s something for everyone.
Grab your skates, mark your calendars, and get ready for a season full of smiles, spins, and unforgettable memories.
Here’s everything you need to know to stay in the loop and join the fun!
Please take a few minutes to read through these important reminders and exciting upcoming events:
📢 Stay Connected!
All of our events will be posted on our news & events page, which you can easily share on your social media pages. We are still working on loading all the information for easy access to specific events, so check back often to stay up to date! Link below!
🗓️ Schedule Reminders
✅ Yes, we DO have classes this weekend — even with MEA break.
🚫 The only weekend off this session will be Thanksgiving Saturday, November 29.
👕 Order River Blades Apparel
Don’t forget to order your River Blades jackets and apparel by Monday, October 20th!
🛍️ Order here → Strauss Apparel Store
📧 Questions about sizing? Contact Strauss directly.
🎃 Halloween Costume Contest – Saturday, October 25
Skaters, please have your photo taken by the ice door at the end of class to be entered in the contest!🏆 Categories:Funniest CostumeCutest CostumeMost Creative CostumeBest Homemade CostumeWinners will be announced on the Parents’ Corner page, and prizes can be picked up Saturday, Nov. 1 at the River Blades desk.
💜 ⛸️ SWIFTIE SKATE
Hosted by the City of Hastings & River Blades Skating School
Calling all Swifties and Kelce fans! Join us for a magical day on the ice at Swiftie Skate — a Taylor Swift-themed skating event at the Hastings Civic Arena.📅 Date: Monday, December 1 (No School for Hastings residents)
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Hastings Civic Arena
💵 Cost: $6 Admission & $4 Skate Rental (or bring your own skates)✨ Activities & Highlights:
🎶 Song Request Station
💫 Bracelet Making Station
📸 Photo Op Station
👗 Dress as your best T. Swift or Travis Kelce
🍿 Concessions AvailableBring your friends and your Swiftie energy for a fun-filled skate party — perfect for all ages!📧 Questions: pmarschall@hastingsmn.gov
📞 Call: 651-480-6182
🔗 More info: HastingsMN.gov
👗 Ice Show Registration & Costume Measurements
📅 Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9:30–11:30 AM
This year’s Spring 20th Anniversary Ice Show theme is “Dreaming of Disney.”11/15 Register your skater and have them measured for their costume during this time.
Registration forms will be available soon!
✅ Rehearsals begin in January, taking place every Saturday before 10:00 AM.✅ Dress Rehearsal: Friday, March 6✅ Ice Show Performance: Saturday, March 7
🎅 Skate with Santa Costume Try-On
📅 Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9:30–11:30 AM
All Skate with Santa participants will try on their costumes at a designated time (schedule coming soon).
Amanda will provide most costumes; some skaters may be asked to bring items from home.
Please save this time block for costume fittings.
🎄 Skate with Santa Performance & Event
📅 Saturday, December 13 | 6:00 PM
Performing Classes:
LTS #1 (Age 5+), LTS #2, LTS #3, LTS #4, Pre-Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Jump & SpinPlease confirm with the front desk by Friday, October 18 that your skater is available to perform-if they are unavailable we need to know either way. Skaters will learn a short routine in class skating skills from their level will be included. If your skater is not able to participate our student instructors will teach them while the instructors work on the routine.
When confirming, provide:Full NameSkating LevelClass TimeClass InstructorEvent Schedule:
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM | River Blades Skaters Perform
🎅 7:30–9:00 PM | Open Skate with Santa (Public Invited!)
🎁 Santa will skate 7:30–8:30 PM
💖 Suggested Donation: $2 benefiting the Hastings Family Service Food ShelfReminder we will have a 🎅 Skate with Santa performance Costume Try-On
📅 Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9:30–11:30 AM Amanda will provide most costumes; some skaters may be asked to bring items from home.Please save this time block for costume fittings.All Skate with Santa participants will try on their costumes at a designated time (schedule coming soon).
🏰 Disney On Ice Tickets
We’re planning a River Blades group outing to Disney On Ice! ✨
Amanda will email a group ticket discount form soon.We’ll organize group tickets for the Thursday evening and Saturday evening performances.Note for competitors:
If your skater is competing at White Bear, we recommend attending the Thursday night show since the competition schedule hasn’t been released yet.
Please keep an eye on our website events page for updates and to share with friends and neighbors about all our exciting upcoming events!
Thank you for your continued energy and support — we’re looking forward to an exciting and joy-filled season on the ice!
Warmly,
Amanda Truax
Owner/Director, River Blades Skating School
📧 RiverBladesSkatingSchool@gmail.com
📞 763-232-5195
🌐 www.RiverBladesSkating.com
