NY Rangers, County Announce 'Winter Wonderland' Expansion

The New York Rangers, which practice in Greenburgh, and Westchester County announced this week the two are teaming up to expand the annual “Winter Wonderland” event held at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

The event will kick off on Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), and will include new features, such as all-inclusive pricing for admission, an expanded ice rink sponsored by the New York Rangers, additional rides and new entertainment, shopping and food attractions.

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership with the New York Rangers for Winter Wonderland, which we know will grow to become an iconic event in Westchester,” said County Executive Rob Astorino in a statement. “In addition to the expanded rink, the New York Rangers will bring an exciting fan experience to our festive event by incorporating exciting fan experience attractions for the entire family, including photo ops with alumni, hockey sessions and fun prizes and giveaways.”

At 70-by-90 feet, the rink this year will be double the size as last year, and it will be called “RangersTown,” a nod to the RangersTown Hockey House in front of Madison Square Garden. The rink will be the same size as the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Astorino was joined Monday by New York Rangers alumni Dave Maloney and Ron Greschner, New York Knicks legend Allan Houston, Friends of Westchester County Parks and the Westchester County Parks Department at a press conference announcing the partnership.

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland will run through Sunday, Jan. 3. From Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, the event will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Starting Dec. 21, the program will be open weekdays and Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

From an Astorino press release about the event:

To add to the fan experience, the New York Rangers will provide special perks each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for guests to enjoy, including:

• “Try Hockey for Free” Session: The Rangers will help open Westchester’s Winter Wonderland on Friday, November 27, with a special “Try Hockey for Free” session, which will include access to free loaner equipment. Kids will receive a free Rangers hockey stick in addition to skating with and meeting New York Rangers alumni.
• Photo Opportunities: Guests will be able to take photographs on the New York Rangers Player Bench, framed by the six-foot “RangersTown” letters sign. Blueshirts United brand ambassadors will be on-site to greet attendees and help them take and share photos on their social media pages. As skaters make their way to the rink, they will be able to stop and take a picture with their favorite Rangers life-size cutouts, which will flank the entry to the ice.
• Appearances by New York Rangers Alumni: Rangers greats will make weekly appearances to ice skate, take photos and sign autographs with guests.
• Player Appearance: Rangers player(s) will also appear on a select date to surprise attendees.
• Road Tour NYRv: The New York Rangers’ field marketing vehicle and mobile brand experience will be on-site to provide fans with even more interactive attractions.

The New York Rangers will also provide an opportunity for attendees to enter to win exclusive Rangers prizes and giveaways.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Friends of Westchester Parks to help put together this remarkable initiative for the community of Westchester,” said Janet Duch, senior vice president of marketing, MSG Sports. “The Rangers, Knicks, Liberty and of course, the Westchester Knicks, have strong ties to Westchester County and we look forward to continuing our growing relationship with the community through events such as Westchester’s Winter Wonderland.”

NBA All-Star and legend Allan Houston joined the New York Rangers alumni and spoke about the Westchester Knicks’ continued support in the county, not only with the games and fan experience at Westchester County Center but also for this year’s Winter Wonderland event.

Other new features to Westchester’s Winter Wonderland include:

• New admission pricing at $15 per person; ages 5 and under are free (ticket price allows unlimited access to amusement rides, ice skating and rentals, as well as visits with Santa Claus)
• The Santa Experience, The Wonderland Express, Winter Hay Ride and an additional amusement ride
• An expanded Shopping Village of artisan crafts and gifts
• A new heated entertainment tent with scheduled holiday programming
• A 24-foot Christmas tree with lights
• New Candy Cane Forest lights at the entrance to the event

“Westchester’s Winter Wonderland helps families create a holiday tradition close to home,” said Joanne Fernandez, board chair for Friends of Westchester County Parks. “We are thrilled to be hosting our second annual winter event. This one-of-a-kind experience celebrates the spirit of the season with holiday lights, amusement rides, a shopping village, food, an ice skating rink and a memorable holiday experience for the entire family.”

The festive event will electrify the holiday season with hundreds of thousands of LED lights set to a one-hour-long continuous show choreographed to holiday music; a fabulous outdoor recreational ice skating rink; boutique vendors; several amusement rides; and a heated indoor dining tent offering a variety of local food trucks and a full bar.

The event is presented by Westchester Medical Center, sponsored by Friends of Westchester County Parks and produced by Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Event sponsors include: the New York Rangers, Con Edison, Party Line Rentals and Robison Oil.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.wwinterwonderland.com. Adult and child tickets cost $15 (all-inclusive admission pricing, except for food and vendor shopping), while children 5 and under are free.

For more information on sponsorships, please call (914) 231- 4600.