Growing up in Harford County as an aspiring figure skater, Kimmie Meissner traveled to Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. to see her idols on the ice.
She hopes to change that for the next generation of locals. Meissner, 17, will host Kimmie?s Angels on Ice on Aug. 25 at 1st Mariner Arena. The event, which will feature some of the world?s top skaters, will benefit the Cool Kids Campaign for pediatric oncology.
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“It?s a pretty great group of skaters, with every current champion from the U.S. and Canada,” Meissner said. “I don?t know how that happened, but its so exciting that all those skaters are coming.”
The show is scheduled to include world champion Yuka Sato, three-time national champ Johnny Weir, Olympian Michael Weiss, Olympic silver medal pair Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, and world bronze medalist Evan Lysacek, among others.
It will be an unprecedented event for Baltimore.
“You want it to be here in your town,” Meissner said. “I think it?s going to be great for younger skaters or anyone who loves figure skating to be able to see their favorite skaters on TV. It?ll be great for the younger girls and boys to inspire them to do their best at what they want to do.”
Look for a more laid-back performance from Meissner, who is known for her concentration on the ice. She said fans should expect more popular music from the performance.
But more than the performance itself, Meissner is excited about the cause ? the Cool Kids Campaign, for which Meissner serves as an ambassador.
“All the proceeds from the show are going toward this grant program, which is our new idea,” Meissner said. “It?s going to help families in need all over the U.S. We?re starting to extend Cool Kids all over the U.S.”
Despite skating in rinks around the world in front of thousands ? and millions more watching on television ? Meissner is nervous for her first big hometown performance.
Meissner likely will perform in front of dozens of fellow Fallston High School alumni. Meissner graduated this past spring and has enrolled at Delaware for the fall. She selected classes Tuesday in between sessions at Delaware?s Fred Rust Ice Arena.
KIMMIE?S ANGELS ON ICE
» When: Aug. 25, 7 p.m.
» Where: 1st Mariner Arena
» Who: Kimmie Meissner, Johnny Weir, Yuka Sato, Belbin & Agosto, and more
» Tickets: From $25 to $100, VIP seats for $125, available through Ticketmaster
