NEDERLAND — Emma Hebert and her mother, Sandra, were about to go ice skating for the first time outdoors in Nederland of all places.

Emma is preschool aged and Sandra said she’s been excited to try it.

Though Saturday morning’s weather was warm, humid, wet and breezy and not exactly the conditions one thinks of for ice skating, all of that was moot thanks to technology.

The “ice” is synthetic and made possible by snapping panels together and coating it with a substance, said Angela Fanette, parks and recreation supervisor. This ice doesn’t melt.

The company who set up the rink and gave out the skates is Chill Entertainment.

They provide a complete line of all-inclusive popup rinks for both ice skating and roller skating; including turn-key synthetic and real ice rink packages, according to their website.

The company states it will design customized events, from theme concept, to event planning, design and implementation. Clients include hotels, tourist attractions, retail centers, schools, universities, TV and film production, community groups and municipalities.

“It’s 80 degrees, warm and windy (with a threat of rain). This is Southeast Texas weather. We’re adapting,” Fanette said. “We’ll do this until it rains. People will be coming out a little later on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully this will put everyone in the Christmas sprit.”

The event was held last year on Boston Avenue for Christmas On The Avenue before moving to Doornbos Park this year. Proceeds from the ice skating benefit Community Care-Prayer Outreach in Nederland.

Ryan and Patricia Thul have previously ice skated.

Ryan skated at The Galleria in Houston and Patricia has skated before though it’s been awhile.

“It was pretty hard and I prefer normal ice skating, but it was fun and it’s for a good cause,” Ryan said.

Patricia said she likes skating in general and ice skating is a fun thing to do every year.

Christina and Mikayla Campbell ice skated for the first time.

Christina said it was hard and fun at the same time, but her ankles were hurting. She added that she wasn’t sure how the ice was simulated to skate upon.

Tiffany Williams, and her two sons, Jonathan and Jackson, likewise, were on the ice for the first time.

One of her son has autism and she said her top concern was him not falling. On the other hand, her 4-year-old son got the hang of it immediately and he didn’t want to go home.

“We were expecting a really, really long line, but it wasn’t that bad. If they have this every year this may become a holiday tradition for us. We’ll play in the park after this and this will be a nice family day.”

David Ball: 409-721-2427