New London – Within an hour after the new downtown rink opened for public skating today, more than 150 people had strapped on skates and ventured onto the synthetic ice surface, and dozens more gathered around to watch.

"It's great to see this for New London," said Brian Mayo of Waterford, wearing a Santa Claus cap as he skated with his eight-year-old daughter, Marissa.

"I like it," added Marissa, wearing size 3 pink rental skates, one of 150 pairs available at the rink-side booth.

The new rink, a collaboration of New London Main Street, the city and several local sponsors, officially opened at about 3:30 p.m., when Mayor Martin Olsen and Tony Silvestri, Main Street board president, together snipped a red velvet ribbon with a pair of oversized scissors.

"This is really good stuff, extraordinarily exciting," said Olsen.

The ribbon cutting was part of a larger Celebration of Lights and Song celebration that included a parade featuring Santa riding down Bank Street in a fire truck, a carol sing and Christmas tree lighting, a Q-105 sponsored skating dance party and performances from "The Nutcracker" by Eastern Connecticut Ballet dancers in the glass elevator and stairway shaft of the parking garage that adjoins the plaza.

Silvestri said he was very pleased with the turnout both of skaters and spectators.