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NEWS & NOTESISI World Recreational Team Championships Returns to Beautiful Boston!
by Eileen Viglione
ISI World Recreational Team Championships is returning to the beautiful Boston area, where summer will be in full swing — can you smell the fresh “lobstah” rolls? But enough about fish and seafood, let’s focus on our largest recreational competition of the year!
ISI Worlds gets underway Aug. 3 through Aug. 6 at Nashoba Valley Olympia in Boxborough, a quaint suburb filled with charming, historic houses — approximately 30 miles or about an hour’s drive from Massachusetts’ capital city of Boston (aka “Beantown!”)
This amazing facility has three sheets of ice (one with seating for 650 spectators); a snack bar, featuring nutritious snacks, sandwiches and drinks; a pro shop, dance room for off-ice training; and skate sharpening services.
Often drawing competitors from across the United States and a few foreign countries, ISI Worlds is our most popular national event and offers competitors of all skill levels and ages, from tots to seniors, an opportunity to perform and compete in the sport that they adore. Competitors can choose from more than 25 different event categories for individuals, partners, groups and teams.
The energy leading up to and at a Worlds event is invigorating! Every skater should experience it as least once in their lifetime. Warning: Once you do, you’ll be hooked. Many Worlds competitors return many times over to enjoy the excitement, fun and camaraderie found at this special competition.
Competitors’ Party
ISI Worlds is unlike any other skating competition on the planet, so we like to celebrate it accordingly — in ISI style! We host a big bash — a Competitors’ Party — exclusively for Worlds participants and their families, and it always entails entertainment and FUN! This year, mateys, it’ll be all hands on deck Friday (Aug 4). as we cruise the Boston Harbor, eat, drink and dance the night away! Watch the ISI website for more detailed information in the coming months.
ISI Benefit Show
A much-anticipated event at Worlds is the ISI Benefit Show, featuring a “celebrity” guest skater and Worlds participants selected throughout the week to perform in the engaging show. In recent years, star performers having included Mariah Bell, Starr Andrews, Bradie Tennell and Jason Brown. This year’s skater will be announced in the coming months. Be sure to check the ISI website for details — you won’t want to miss it. Tickets sell quickly!
Test and Entry Deadline: May 24
The test and entry deadline for Worlds is May 24. Watch the ISI website for the entry form and latest information on lodging, the event schedule, Competitors’ Party and ISI Benefit Show.
Summer Vacation
Many Worlds competitors and families choose to plan their summer vacations around this extraordinary event. Here’s the scoop on all there is to do in the surrounding area of Boxborough. And, of course, a world of adventure is just a hop, skip and jump away in Boston, where you’ll find renowned attractions, including Beacon Hill, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Fenway Park, Newbury Street, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and so much more!
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum ~ Photo courtesy of Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
ACTON
Acton Arboretum — Sixty-four acres of woods, meadows, ponds, swamps and apple orchards, all just waiting for you to explore. Visit actonarboretum.org.
Acton Bowladrome & Arcade — A family-owned entertainment facility, where you can bowl, play arcade games and shoot pool. Visit actonbowl.com.
BOLTON
Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue — Get up close with exotic animals from around the world. Visit animaladventures.net.
CONCORD
Concord Museum — See Revolutionary War artifacts, including one of the two lighted lanterns hung in the church belfry to warn that the British were on their way. Visit concordmuseum.org.
Minuteman National Historic Park/Visitors’ Center — Check out numerous American Revolutionary War sites, including Old North Bridge, the first American victory in the Revolutionary War. Visit nps.gov/mima/index.htm.
HARVARD
Harvard Alpaca Ranch — Take a free farm tour (donations accepted) and meet the many furry members that call the ranch home. Visit harvardalpacaranch.com.
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge — Hike the trails along the Nashua River, paddle a canoe or kayak, fish, and/or check out the visitor center to learn about conservation. Visit fws.gov/refuge/oxbow
Fruitlands Museum — Discover art, history and nature through exhibits, historic house tours and acres and acres of land. Visit thetrustees.org
HUDSON
American Heritage Museum — Marvel at the vintage army tanks, automobiles, aircraft and other U.S. military machinery on display. Visit americanheritagemuseum.org.
WESTFORD
Kimball Farm – Enjoy classic summer fun! Activities include mini golf, pitch & putt, both bumper car and boats, pony rides and a zipline, arcade, driving range and more! Visit kimballfarm.com
More Information
ISI World Recreational Team Championships
Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Established in 1959, the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) — creator of America’s first learn-to-skate curriculum — is an international trade association encompassing all aspects of the ice sports industry. Our goal is to promote ice skating as a participant sport and recreational activity for everyone — all ages and abilities.
