Skatetown USA Thanks for Bringing Back the Memories!

Growing up in the small town of Jamestown, NY, I remember doing a few things as a kid. There weren't as many options for things to do as there are now and I fondly remember playing in our neighborhood until dark or riding our bikes to my friend's houses (Hazeltine Ave., I miss you). But one of the activities that I loved was roller skating and since Jamestown didn't have too many outlets for kids, this one reigned supreme. There was something about zipping around the roller rink with the strobe lights shining and the 70's music playing that really made me smile. I always hoped that one of the guys would pick me for that elusive couples skate but, alas, I was usually left on the sidelines with my girlfriends giggling through the entire song. Then, there was always that one skater who could do it all, he was fast, could spin, skate backwards and stop on a dime. Ahhhhh.....to go back in time - nostalgia.

Recently, I had the chance to don some roller skates and get my groove back. Of course, my entourage consisted of my husband, my girls and another friend and her family. We pulled into Skatetown USA in West Chester, Ohio and I think I was more excited than my girls. It was family skate and there were lots of kids there. Many were playing in the arcade area when you first walk in but there were a fair amount on the roller rink. We got the girls laced up and we were ready to go. My husband claims to have "weak ankles" so he did not roll the day away. He did help S to get back on her feet numerous times though. After a bit, both girls seemed to get the hang of it but they did connect with the floor quite a lot but this didn't deter them from getting back up and doing it all over again. A few times I got to take off and joyously zip around the rink just like old times.

Skatetown USA is very appealing for families. The friendly staff, snack bar, picnic tables, lockers and arcade area all makes kids want to come back again. The energetic DJ combined a mixture of new and old tunes to get you groovin' and movin'. He even got a large group to gather in a circle and do the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance while Skatetown's mascot came out to skate and high-five the kids. My girls thought it was great fun.

In addition to family skate, Skatetown also has "Roll & Stroll for Tiny Tots". On Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30am, children ages 6 and under can come and skate with their parents and enjoy skating, or they can run around on the carpeted concourse and play in the arcade. Strollers are welcome and admission is free for parents (skate rental is $2 for regular skates and $4 for in-line skates). It's only $5 admission for kids and the child admission includes the skate rental as well as a mini skate lesson by a certified coach. They also have birthday party packages starting at $9.99/child with a minimum of 10 kids. If you have a Boy or Girls Scout troop or sports team that wants to have an end of the year party, think about visiting Skatetown and for $9.99/child, they get to skate, have a slice of pizza, a soft drink, balloon bouquet with their team colors and 4 game tokens for the arcade. Plus they get free return passes.

If you'd like your kids to really learn how to roller skate, then you can enroll them in their 5 week Learn to Skate program. It's held on Saturday mornings at 10am. For only $65, they get a one hour of group lessons followed by one hour of skating fun and at the end of the session, they have a party. I definitely want to sign my girls up since roller skating can be such a great family activity and having them roller skating better means I'll have more time to re-visit memory lame as I whip around the rink with KC and the Sunshine Band playing in my head.

There are other roller skating rinks in the Cincinnati area and if you visit MasonMetu, you can see all that Greater Cincinnati has to offer.

Skatetown USA
8730 North Pavilion Drive
West Chester, Ohio 45069
513-874-9855

Sources: http://www.SkatetownUSA.us