By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Just before Santa makes his annual journey and the holiday season reaches its culmination, the citizens of Pelham will be treated to a holiday display on the ice.

The Birmingham Figure Skating Club and the Pelham Skate School is set to present A Christmas Show On Ice at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena on Dec. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event’s performers include the students of the Learn to Skate classes taught at the Pelham Skate School, as well as the participation of Team Newberry, made up of Christian, Jack and Harriet Newberry.

Christian Newberry serves as the director of skating for the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. He has been coaching skating since 1990, and is a four-time World and European Championship coach.

“As far as I know, Pelham has had some sort of Christmas show every year,” Newberry said. “This year, we are heavily invested in the Learn to Skate program.”

The production itself has no theme, but has heavy participation from a variety of skaters.

“There is no theme, only Christmas,” Newberry said. “We have a lot more numbers this year, 35 in total. The coaches do all the numbers for groups and solos, Graham (Newberry, figure skating coach at Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena) will be performing again this year.”

Amongst the pageantry and passion of the event, Christian Newberry made sure to add some highlights to be on the lookout for.

“We have skaters as young as three and a large group of adult skaters, including two national competitors,” Newberry said. “Also, Adria Liliac will perform after just returning from her first international skating competition.”

Newberry remains unfazed by the programming and logistics of the show, but admitted that working with children can present some difficulties.

“I’ve been doing these (shows) for 30 years now, it seems very normal,” Newberry said. “The challenges are getting the youngest skaters to listen and follow each other when their skills aren’t the best.”

Tickets for the show will be available at the door of the event for $12, while kids five and under can get in the event for free. For more information on A Christmas Show on Ice, visit Pelhamalabama.gov/Pelham-Civic-Complex-Ice-Arena.