Ice skaters of all ages gathered at the Mount Vernon RECenter on Saturday for the annual Holiday Ice Show. Performances included everything from children’s groups to solos by local competitive skaters. Even RECenter coaches showed off their dance moves for the packed audience.

“This is a big community event we all come together to work on,” coach Emme Porter said. “It’s a little bit of everything, not just Christmas music. Everybody gets a chance to perform. We’re not elite, so anybody interested was able to take part—from beginners to the really competitive types.”

The ice show featured both new acts choreographed for the holiday season just one month ago as well as performers showing off the routines skaters have been practicing all year. A special performance by the RECenter’s adaptive class of autistic and special needs children drew wild applause from the audience as students skated with their personal volunteer to the popular Christmas carol, “Sleigh Ride”.

“Some of our volunteers drive from as far as Reston to skate with the adaptive class students. We have two classes with six students each who practice every Sunday,” coach Karen Pool said. “We’ve been doing this for three years, and Fairfax County has other adaptive programs, like gymnastics and swimming. We’d love to have more classes, but we have to make sure we have enough volunteers for each student.”

The final act by Porter and her husband and fellow coach Bruce Porter, earned the loudest round of applause for their fantastic tribute to The Beatles. Whether the skaters nailed their routine or had a few hiccups, the supportive audience applauded each act nearly nonstop in support, and several of the younger skaters wowed with unexpectedly complex numbers.

“I did really good, just like I thought I would,” skater Emily Morgan said. “The whole show was so great. I thought it was really pretty.”

For more information about skating lesson and other Mount Vernon RECenter activities, go online or call 703-768-3224.