Penguin marches for the sake of ice skating

With a cold front blasting through Philadelphia, the icy weather has brought an unusual species of wildlife to Penn: a zamboni-driving penguin who hands out pens.

The penguin - a costume worn by an employee from Penn's Class of 1923 Ice Rink - travelled around Locust Walk yesterday, handing out flyers, pens and hand warmers to students walking to class.

The penguin and its zamboni are part of the latest publicity campaign to bring attention to the skating rink, located on 31st and Walnut streets.

Business Services spokeswoman Rhea Lewis said attendance at the rink has been increasing, but that Business Services is nevertheless trying to expand the number of visitors to the rink, including students, members of West Philadelphia and the city as a whole.

So far, 4,500 people have come to the rink this year. Last year's total number of visitors came in at 10,000, Rink manager Bryan Isola said.

Students on their way to class seemed to enjoy the penguin's presence.

"It was a good idea - it strikes a lot of attention," College freshman Pete Ceretti said. "I'll try and go to it sometime."

The penguin "was cute," College senior Jessica Platt said.

But "good ideas" and "cuteness" might not necessarily bring students to the rink, which many say they have only visited a few times during their time at Penn.

"A penguin on the middle of Locust Walk handing out pens is not going to make people go to the ice rink," Platt said.

"I was there freshman year to pick up" a package, said Engineering senior Ishaan Puri, who added he has not been back since.

Many of those who have skated there once have not returned for another round.

"I went once freshman year for an event and once for a fraternity event," College senior Leora Gabry said.

If this public relations campaign does not succeed in drawing in more students, rink officials say they will bring the penguin back.

"We think the ice rink is a great service to have, and we're trying to make more students aware of it," Lewis, the Business Services spokeswoman, said.

Isola, the rink manager, likewise stressed that he is trying "to build awareness about the ice rink," and this campaign is the rink's "biggest overall publicity" stunt.

Other upcoming events that rink officials hope will attract more students include a midnight skating event, which will take place on Friday night, during which the rink will be open to Penn students until 1:00 a.m.

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