Local leaders take the ice Jan. 31 for Strawbery Banke’s 2026 Seacoast Skating with the Stars

PORTSMOUTH– Strawbery Banke Museum announces the return of Seacoast Skating with the Stars (SSWTS), a winter showcase presented in partnership with Ice Dance International (IDI). The event takes place Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, the Museum’s professionally maintained outdoor skating rink. A weather date is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Tickets and additional details are available at StrawberyBanke.org/sswts.

A returning favorite at Strawbery Banke, Seacoast Skating with the Stars pairs local community “stars” with professional ice dancers from Ice Dance International in a friendly competition inspired by Dancing with the Stars. Each duo performs a choreographed routine before a panel of judges who score technical skill and artistry, while audience members are invited to vote for their favorite performances.

VIP tickets include access to the rinkside Kennebunk Savings Terrace, a post-show meet-and-greet with the skaters, and skating admission and skate rentals at Labrie Family Skate until 4 PM (first come, first served). VIP tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for children ages 5–17, and free for children under 5.

General Admission tickets offer a rinkside view of the event and are $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 5–17, and free for children under 5.

“Seacoast Skating with the Stars has become one of our most joyful and community-driven winter traditions,” said Linnea Grim, president and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair. “It brings together local leaders, professional artists, and an enthusiastic audience in a setting that is uniquely Strawbery Banke. The event captures the warmth, creativity, and shared spirit that define both our Museum and the Seacoast.”

In addition to the competitive performances, the event will feature professional routines by Ice Dance International, showcasing ice dance as an expressive, accessible performing art.

“Seacoast Skating with the Stars is about connection between people, disciplines, and generations,” said Douglas Webster, artistic founding director of Ice Dance International and Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond. “It blends athleticism with storytelling and invites the entire community to experience ice dance in a way that is welcoming, dynamic, and deeply joyful.”

Local Stars – Abbreviated Bios

• Jonathan “Jonny” Day
  Realtor with Proulx Real Estate, managing partner at Centrus Digital, Commander of VFW Post 168, and Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. A longtime Seacoast resident and passionate nonprofit leader, Jonathan is thrilled to take on a new challenge in support of Strawbery Banke Museum.
   

• Rebecca Earle
  Proprietress of Cotillion Bureau in Portsmouth and HELLO AGAIN vintage in Dover. A champion of sustainable fashion and inclusive community spaces, Rebecca is completely new to ice skating and excited to learn a new sport while connecting with fellow participants.
   

• Beth Falconer
  Executive Director of 3S Artspace, where she has served for nine years. With a background in dance and a deep love of the arts, Beth is embracing this opportunity to step outside her comfort zone and celebrate movement, creativity, and community on the ice.
   

• Jason Goodrich
  Sixth-generation Portsmouth resident, real estate professional, and longtime nonprofit board member. A former advertising executive and current Arts & Culture Commissioner, Jason is eager to return to Strawbery Banke and share the experience with his family.
   

• David Higgins
  A 37-year Seacoast resident of Stratham and Portsmouth, David is an active community organizer in Portsmouth’s West End. A lifelong hockey player and mentor, he brings his love of the ice and passion for community connection to this year’s event.
   

• Michelle McDonald
  Tax Assessor for Ogunquit, ME, and longtime Seacoast resident. A decade-long skater at Labrie Family Skate and member of the Great Bay Figure Skating Club, Michelle is delighted to return to her favorite rink for what she calls a dream-come-true experience.

For more information about Seacoast Skating with the Stars, or to purchase tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org/sswts. 

About Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a nearly 10-acre history museum in downtown Portsmouth, NH, interpreting over 350 years of history—from Indigenous peoples to the present day. The Museum features historic houses on their original sites, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and costumed roleplayers sharing stories of Puddle Dock residents. Strawbery Banke welcomes visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers year-round for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature events. Funding is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom; and the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.

About Ice Dance International
Founded in 2014 and based in Maine, Ice Dance International (IDI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing ice dance as a performing art. Through live and virtual performances, education programs, and national tours, including the upcoming March 2026 national tour called “The Seasons,” IDI brings world-class ice dance to communities across the U.S. To learn more, visit IceDanceInternational.org.