The Winterfest Rink in Bushnell Park will open Nov. 24, thank to support of local businesses and individuals, including many from West Hartford.

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The iQuilt Partnership recently announced it had raised the minimum needed to open the Winterfest rink in Bushnell Park for free ice skating, free skate rentals and free learn to skate classes from Nov. 24, 2017, to Jan. 2, 2018.

Last week, more good news. Whole Foods Market has generously agreed to donate the funds needed to extend the Winterfest season by one more week to include the Three Kings Holiday.

Recognizing the amazing community impact that Winterfest has for Greater Hartford, Whole Foods Market has stepped up and provided funding to extend Winterfest for one more weekend past Three Kings Day.

“Whole Foods Market is more than just a place to buy delicious organic and natural food — we’re always looking for new ways to support and enrich our local community,” said Bill Butcher, Marketing & Community Lead for Whole Foods Market. “On the heels of the successful fundraising for Winterfest, we wanted to be help support this integral community event that provides a wonderful family friendly, free activity for everyone to enjoy in the winter months.

“I’m proud and grateful that so many individuals, businesses, and foundations from throughout the Hartford region stepped up to keep Winterfest going,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “I want to thank Whole Foods Market for their support, which will allow even more families to skate in our beautiful Bushnell Park.

“Whole Foods is joining an impressive list of Hartford’s Heroes that has made dreams come true in Hartford this Winter. So many amazing companies, foundations and individuals have come together for everyone in the Greater Hartford community,” said Jackie Gorsky Mandyck, Managing Director of the iQuilt Partnership. “We have some true Hartford heroes.

Winterfest heroes include: United Bank, Travelers, Eversource, LAZ Parking, The Hartford, Whole Foods Market, Hartford SteamBoiler/Munich Re, Niagara Bottling, United Technologies Corporation, Aetna, Bank of America, James B. Lyon, Lincoln Financial Group, MetroHartford Alliance, Roggi’s Automotive, UnitedHealthcare, Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, Marge Morrissey, Metropolitan District Commission, Robinson & Cole, William Peelle, Freed Marcroft, Coursey & Co., Greater Hartford Arts Council, Peter Stevens, Phoenix/NassauRE, SINA, CohnResnick, Reid & Riege, P.C., The Betty Knox Foundation, BlumShapiro, Carter Realty, Coltsville, JCJ Architecture, Larry Dooley, Salute, Sullivan & LeShane, The Bushnell Park Foundation, and many individuals (a complete list is located on the www.WinterfestHartford.com 2017-2018.)

Other partners include the MetroHartford Alliance, the Hartford Business Improvement District, Businesses for Downtown Hartford, the City of Hartford, the Bushnell Park Foundation, Coursey & Co., and the New England Carousel Museum.  The rink is constructed and operated by Champions Skating

To donate go online at www.winterfesthartford.com or mail a check to Winterfest Hartford, c/o The iQuilt Partnership, 31 Pratt Street, 5th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103.

For more information on Winterfest and an up-to-date schedule of events please visit their website.