As part of The Branding Project’s “Winter Wonderland,” Marietta’s first ice rink will open in Glover Park on Friday, November 20, 2015. The Branding Project is the organization that promotes Marietta Square. Winter Wonderland incudes Santa Claus, Santa’s workshop, a multi-story Christmas tree and will be the site of a New Year’s Eve Party.

Texting System
Because the rink and other events scheduled for Winter Wonderland are expected to be very popular during the holiday season, the organization developed a texting system that would alert visitors of wait times for visiting Santa and the ice rink. The goal is to bring people to the Square, hoping that they will visit areas and business they have never visited before. The Branding Project said that they hope this encourages visitors to return to the Square even after the rink is gone.

Family-Friendly Skating
Details are still being worked out regarding the ice rink, but the plan is to provide family-friendly skating, something that many people in the area feel will start a new tradition in Marietta. Several members of council say that their families plan to visit the rink several times during the season and others say that it will encourage them to visit downtown businesses who will benefit from the Winter Wonderland. The rink hours are Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 10 PM, Friday from 4:30 to 11 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM and Sunday from noon until 4 PM. Tickets, which include admittance and skate rental, are $12. The open air rink will offer lockers and will remain open until January 4, 2016.

City Funding
In September, the City of Marietta provided $43,000 in tourism grant money to the project to fund the ice skating rink. The expected budget for Winter Wonderland is between $150,000 to $200,000, but it is expected that the event will drive traffic to businesses on the Square. Marietta Square sits on land donated by Mayor John Glover after the Cobb County courthouse burned in 1848. During the Civil War, the Square was used as a training ground for soldiers and the Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War began in the park. There was also a military hospital and buildings on the Square were later burned during Sherman’s March to the Sea. At the north end, a trough provided water for visitors as well as their horses. Just off the Square is Marietta’s Welcome Center and Visitor’s Bureau, which is housed in an 1898 train station. Glover Park, located in the center of the Square, is a fountain and a gazebo, although children find the train engine featuring a replica of The General, a famous locomotive, to be far more fascinating than the fountain. Scarlett on the Square, a “Gone With the Wind” museum is located on the Square, an homage to the 1939 film based on the Margaret Mitchell book.

Waggoner Insurance is proud to be part of the history and heritage of Marietta. We are looking forward to the Winter Wonderland events and the opening of Marietta’s first ice skating rink. We are here to provide you with all your insurance needs, from home to health to auto. Contact us today to learn how we can help you protect your family and property.

Sources:
MDJ Online
Marietta.Com