April 28, 1969
Redwood Empire Ice Arena has hosted countless amateur figure skating competitions, hockey tournaments (youth, adult, and senior), and ice show performances. Olympic gold medalist and ice skater, Peggy Fleming, headlined the grand opening event in 1969. The festivities were emceed by baseball legend and sports announcer Joe Garagiola, and also included performances by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and the San Francisco cast of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Many well known figure skaters have participated in the popular shows that Charles M. Schulz produced. The arena has hosted the likes of Scott Hamilton, Robin Cousins, Charlie Tickner, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Richard Dwyer to name a few. Those visiting the arena grounds today will see an impressive selection of famous sports figures whose signatures are immortalized into the cement lining the landscaping.
The arena was also built to be a performing arts venue. An elaborate carpet tiling system covers the ice during these events. Some notable special musical guests who performed at the arena in the 1970s and 1980s included Liberace, Crystal Gayle, Bill Cosby, and David Letterman.
