December 12, 2009 - The Holiday Lights Festival's Shine the Light on Hunger campaign is in full swing and the campaign's centerpiece, the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink, is now open on the ConAgra Campus at 10th and Harney Streets in Downtown Omaha.  The rink returns for its third year as part of the Festival, open December 12th through 31st.   The rink will be open from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 1 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.   

A $5 admission fee includes skate rental, though patrons may bring their own skates.  The ConAgra Foods Foundation will match all rink income, dollar for follar up to $100,000, and donate all proceeds to the Food Bank of the Heartland as part of the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign.  Donations of non-perishable food items and household goods will also be collected on-site.  For more information, visit the Shine the Light on Hunger website.

Mayor Suttle attended the rink's ribbon-cutting ceremony and watched the first skaters take the ice.  "I?d like to thank ConAgra for continuing to be a leading supporter of the Holiday Lights Festival," Mayor Suttle said.  "As usual, the rink looks great, and I am confident there will be many happy memories for Omaha families that will take place right here over the next few weeks."

In addition, the public is invited to two special performances by skaters from the Figure Skating Club of Omaha and the Blade & Edge Figure Skating Club at the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink.

These local groups will combine their talents to give free, 30-minute performances December 20 at 5 p.m. and December 21 at 7 p.m. Club skaters ages two through adult will be taking to the ice in holiday-inspired costumes paired with traditional holiday music. Advanced skaters will be highlighted with a special group performance. 

After the show, the rink is open for public skating until 10 p.m., for the regular $5 admission fee.