ICE RINK A VALLEY CHRISTMAS TREAT WINTER WONDERLAND COMING NEXT MONTH.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Dreaming of a white Christmas?

Even if the Antelope Valley's fickle winter weather doesn't cooperate this December, there is an alternative: ice skating under the stars and artificial snow at Marie Kerr Park in Palmdale.

A local radio firm is sponsoring the rink - plus Santa, strolling carolers, craft booths, hot chocolate and possibly reindeer - for two weekends and 10 evenings, Dec. 10-20.

``We wanted to do something that hasn't really been done out here and to have ice skating under the stars, and that's kind of the idea we envisioned,'' said Kevin Younkin, director of live events for Clear Channel.

The idea came from a Clear Channel employee, Robert Kotto.

``We all thought he was crazy, but some of the craziest ideas may seem crazy at the time (but) turn out to be really good ideas,'' Younkin said.

The ice skating will take place on a 60-by-40-foot rink that will be frozen artificially and can accommodate up to 96 skaters at one time. The rink will be created by Bietak Productions, which made the rinks for the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

``The rink is the focal point and what we're creating is a complete winter wonderland. We'll have Santa's Village, photos with Santa, Christmas movies in a tent ... We just want to create a fun place,'' Younkin said.

The ice skating has been scheduled for afternoons and evenings to avoid potential problems from warm days. If the weather is cool enough, the rink will be available for rental before 4 p.m. on weekdays.

``If it is 70-, 75-degree weather it'll most likely be problematic to have ice skating during the day because of the heat,'' said Younkin. ``That would be extremely unusual to have that. You never know.''

Heavy rain could also stop the skating.

From Dec. 10 to 20, rink hours will generally be 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the park on Rancho Vista Bouleard on 30th Street West.

However, hours will be 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20 and the rink will be closed Dec. 13 for Clear Channel's company party.

Skating and skate rentals will cost $5 for one hour.

The first session on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be reserved for ``Mommy and Me'' sessions for mothers and small children under the age of 7.

Activities excluding ice skating and photos with Santa will be free.

Nonprofit organizations will work the skate rental and ticket booths and will receive $1 for every skater as a fund-raiser for their group. Pictures with Santa will be another fund-raiser manned by nonprofit organizations.

Other parts of the Winter Wonderland event will be Candy Cane Lane with food vendors, The Elves Workshop featuring vendors selling manufactured items and Santa's Village featuring handcrafted items.

Frosty's Playland will feature trucked-in snow for sledding and games and activities for children ages ten and younger on Saturday and Sunday.

Entertainment will be provided by strolling carolers and the Antelope Valley Performing Arts Conservatory, whose performers will sing and dance each night.

Younkin said the company is still looking for Santas, carolers and a chair for Santa.

Clear Channel operates four radio stations in the Antelope Valley: 103.1-FM KTPI, OASIS 105.5-AM, Fox Sports 610-AM and Magic 1340 AM.

Other major sponsors of the event include Northridge Equipment Rental, Saturn of the Antelope Valley, Antelope Valley Ford and Lancaster Mortgage.

``It's not a moneymaker for us. We're trying to develop some sponsorships to kind of help offset some of the costs, but it's really a community holiday event,'' said Younkin.

For more information, call Younkin or Wayne Berry at [phone].

Peggy Hager, [phone]

peggy.grimm-hager(at)dailynews.com