Skates (and masks) on! Rockefeller Center ice rink opens

NEW YORK (AP) - The Rockefeller Center ice-skating rink is opening in a limited way but on time for the holidays.

The iconic, sunken rink in midtown Manhattan is welcoming skaters Saturday afternoon as part of a tradition dating to the 1930s, according to the Rockefeller Center website.

The rink is operating at reduced capacity, with skate time limited to 50 minutes. Masks are required as a further pandemic safety measure.

The website says there's legend that the rink was inspired by 'œa Depression-era skate salesman who demonstrated his product by skating on the frozen water of the Rockefeller Center fountain.'ť

It officially opened as a 'œskating pond'ť on Christmas Day 1936. It was supposed to be temporary but became so popular it became a permanent fixture for the holiday season.

Another seasonal fixture, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, went up last weekend and will be lighted Dec. 2.