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Franciscan Polar Plaza is a magical place set into the charming and historical backdrop of downtown Tacoma's Tollefson Plaza - the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with your family or significant other, or even a wonderful spot to meet a stranger (just think of the stories you can tell your grandchildren). You may ice skate on the indoor rink, sip a mug of hot chocolate or enjoy live music on the Weekly Volcano's music stage. Polar Plaza ensures a holiday experience for all and here are just a few of the reasons why this cold-weather attraction rocks downtown Tacoma.

1. Decorations

"We're excited to continue to have the community help decorate the benches for Polar Plaza. It seems like a small thing, but it's a fun art element that everyone who visits the rink will get the chance to use and admire." - Stephanie Stebich, director of Tacoma Art Museum

2. Family Fun

"The Polar Plaza adds yet another special and unique family destination to downtown Tacoma that creates lasting memories during the holiday season ... it is a new tradition I hope to see carried on for many years to come." - Thomas Duke, TAM Director of Membership

3. It's Magical!

"What I like most about the Franciscan Polar Plaza is the sound of children laughing as they skate around the rink. The indoor ice rink creates a magical atmosphere that appeals to both adults and children. It is a part of our community for only a few weeks but, during that time, the rink is one of the happiest places in Tacoma. The Polar Plaza brings families together to make holiday memories that may be shared for the rest of their lives." - Dianna Kielian, senior vice president - Mission for the Franciscan Health System

4. Downtown Dollars

"This will be our fourth year in the plaza and our vision is coming to fruition. The vision has been helping bring holiday dollars downtown to local businesses, while getting people walking around enjoying downtown during the holidays. The ice skating rink is serving as the perfect pinnacle to that vision." - Justin Mayfield, Two Five Trees owner

5. Romance

"I was told this story from a lady that works at Grassi's Flowers. She told me that she knows a young lady that was visiting during her winter break of college and she went ice skating at Polar Plaza. While she was skating she fell and when the attendant came to her aid, their eyes met and apparently the rest is history so to say, now they are planning their wedding!" - Judi Hyman, Downtown Merchants Group president

6. Community Fellowship

"The number one reason I think Polar Plaza is the ‘bomb' is the community fellowship it provides. It is a delight to see people laughing and interacting with each other where they may not have otherwise had the opportunity." - Sean Peterson, Igneous Rocks drummer, performing Dec. 1 at Polar Plaza

7. It Makes Tacoma Hip Like NYC

"It is Tacoma's own little holiday version of Rockefeller Plaza's famous ice rink. It makes me want a hot cup of cocoa--or maybe an adult winter beverage like Pacific Grill's famous Hot Buttered Rum." - Gordon Naccarato, Pacific Grill owner

8. Nostalgia

"I grew up in Tacoma and have fond memories of my family skating at the ice rink by Lake Steilacoom. We are so fortunate to have an organization such as the TAM that spearheads this fabulous use of Tollefson Plaza during the Holidays."  - Steve Gray, Gray Lumber - a Polar Plaza sponsor

9. See and Be Seen

"Polar Plaza is the cool place to be seen with your friends and share quality time with the family in the only south end outdoor rink." - Katie Caldwell, overseer of the people who clean the ice

10. Ironically, Might Help You Warm Up

"When it's cold outside, I feel that there's no better place to be than at Polar Plaza, serving hot chocolate and cookies to the skaters at the ice rink." - Megan Jones, hot-chocolate server and Visitor Services manager at Tacoma Art Museum

FRANCISCAN POLAR PLAZA, FRIDAY, NOV. 23-SUNDAY, JAN. 26, $4-$8, TOLLEFSON PLAZA, 17TH AND PACIFIC AVENUE, TACOMA, 253.272.4258