Jill Biden assured Olympic champion Brian Boitano that she wouldn’t fall as the duo — along with Snoopy and other guests — opened the White House’s new ice rink on Wednesday evening.
The rink will be on the South Lawn throughout December, inviting schoolchildren from the Washington DC area and children from families with military personnel, frontline workers, first responders and teachers to skate.
Biden said she added the ice rink as part of her theme for this holiday season: magic, wonder and joy.
“What could be more magical and wonderful and joyful than, you know, on an ice skating rink on the South Lawn of the White House?,” she said.
Jill Biden and Brian Boitano at the opening of the new White House ice skating rink
“He’s terrified I’m going to fall,” Jill Biden joked about Brian Boitano
Jill Biden dropped a puck so Snoopy and a young skater could compete
“It’s so amazing to look out the window and see this down here. So I hope you all enjoy your time here at the White House. And that the memories you make will stay with you throughout the holiday,” she added.
Staff placed a mat on the ice for the first lady to walk on in her boots and pink jacket. But Boitano, a three-time Olympic champion, skated next to her and held her arm tightly.
“He’s terrified I’m going to fall,” Jill Biden joked about his watchful eye.
Guests cheered as they were treated to a skating performance by Snoopy and American figure skater Kimberly Navarro; a duo performance by David Faria Oliviera and Carlina Justine Ramire; and an ice dance from Capital Theater on Ice.
Space heaters surrounded the area to ward off the cold and hot apple cider.
On the cold but clear night, with the Washington Monument visible behind her, Jill Biden officially marked the opening of the rink by dropping a hockey puck as Snoopy and a young skater faced off across from her.
“Who’s ready to skate,” the first lady asked before dropping the puck.
The National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association will provide at-rink lessons through their Learn to Play/Learn to Skate program.
And as soon as the first lady opened the rink — and got off the ice safely — a group of young hockey players began racing around it and doing their practice laps.
American figure skater Kimberly Navarro (right) performs with Snoopy
Guests cheered as Snoopy danced with Navarro
This is not the first ice skating rink on the White House grounds.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter, who was buried Wednesday in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, had an ice skating rink built on the South Lawn for Olympian Peggy Fleming to perform at Christmas receptions at the White House.
On Monday, Jill Biden officially unveiled the White House Christmas decorations, which included elements familiar to children everywhere: red-striped peppermint candies, toy soldiers, dancing ballerinas, rocking horses, candy canes and a tribute to military families — a cause close to Jill Biden’s heart.
“It is this childlike wonder and awe that inspired this year’s Christmas theme: the ‘Magic, Wonder and Joy’ of the season,” she said.
Jill Biden, Brian Botanio and Snoopy all took to the ice for the opening night
Jill Biden on Monday unveiled the White House holiday theme: Magic, Wonder and Joy
This year’s Christmas decorations include 98 Christmas trees, 4,500 yards of ribbon and 22,100 bells.
There will also be a tribute to military families and, in honor of the 200th anniversary, an exhibit of several copies of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ through the years, donated by the Library of Congress.
The White House expects to welcome about 100,000 visitors during the holidays, the East Wing said.