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Ark Encounter adds football-field sized synthetic Glice rink for skating during Christmas season


Answers in Genesis (AiG), operators of two of the nation’s leading faith-based attractions, has opened its annual Christmastime program at the Ark Encounter.

Hobby Lobby and Pure Flix are sponsoring America’s largest Glice® rink at the life-size Ark. Almost the length of a football field, this synthetic ice-skating rink, made in Switzerland, is now open in front of the massive 510-foot-long Ark located south of Cincinnati.

Glice® is a synthetic ice that acts just like real ice, allowing Ark Encounter guests to skate regardless of the temperature. It does not rely on electricity or water. Since the Glice® rink uses synthetic ice, special Glice® skates are provided by the Ark Encounter. Visitors can skate for as long as they want during one continuous session for a special price of $5 through the end of December, which includes the rental of skates.

The Glice Rink at the Ark Encounter.

The Glice® rink will remain open through Christmastime until December 30 but is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. During the Christmas season, guests will enjoy the gorgeous rainbow lights on the Ark as well as the festive lighting throughout the grounds.

Christmastime at the Ark Encounter will offer guests the opportunity, just for the cost of parking ($10), to stroll the beautifully decorated grounds, visit the Ark’s zoo, view the massive Ark from the outside (and its stunning new colorful computer-controlled LED lighting), visit the large gift and fair-trade store, and rent Glice skates.

In addition to the free activities, guests are offered a special admission of $32.99 after 5 p.m. (to 8 p.m.) that includes a large buffet dinner (at Emzara’s Buffet near the ship) and access to the inside of the iconic Noah’s Ark and its three floors of exhibits.

Stay warm outside by sitting around firepits, sipping hot chocolate, and enjoying live music performed by carolers. At Ararat Ridge Zoo behind the Ark, a heated petting zoo (new this year) features many live animals on display. For a small cost, guests can experience a camel or donkey ride. In addition, one-of-a-kind gifts can be purchased at the fair-trade Village Market as well as the large gift shop under the Ark.

Visitors can travel north of the Ark to Petersburg and enjoy the 12th annual ChristmasTown, a free outdoor event at the Creation Museum. The museum’s botanical gardens (with newly widened trails) will be decked out with a breathtaking display of tens of thousands of multi-colored lights. The lights can be viewed from the heated deck of Noah’s Café when purchasing a special dinner of turkey, ham or roast beef.

Just as with the Ark Encounter, almost all the outdoor activities at the museum are free (parking is $5).

For a reduced price of $14.99, guests can experience the museum’s stunning exhibits. New this year, and also included in the $14.99 museum admission, is a special children’s Fun Zone in the museum’s huge Legacy Hall auditorium, and the opportunity to experience a high-tech show in the brand-new 4D Special Effects Theater.

Separate tickets can also be purchased to watch a moving Star of Bethlehem program inside the state-of-the-art planetarium.

At both attractions, the zip lines will be open on selected dates at a reduced price through December 30.


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