If last Saturday’s tree lighting and free skating event at Thayer Arena was a preview, then this Saturday’s rocking and rolling at Apponaug will be a show stopper. Easily more than 500 people tuned out to watch Louis Manzoni carve an ice reindeer, dancers from the Set the Barre dance studio and more than 60 Girl Scouts from nine Warwick troops sing carols. Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch who didn’t stop dancing and twirling through the crowd were there. Inside the arena the ice glistened, awaiting those who brought along their skates, but before they stepped on, the Warwick Figure Skaters Precision Ice Skating team elegantly swished across the ice in a graceful performance. There was so much more including coloring jigsaw puzzles at a table where Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce executive director and president Lauren Slocum attempted to keep up the demand for coloring crayons and Ashley Mederios and Kiley Knott, dressed as Frozen characters Anna and Elsa, met admiring kids in a creative setting to pose for photos. Holly Weber city recreation coordinator of the city parks and recreation department coordinated the event with scores of volunteers stepping in to help. Recycling bins where visitors dropped off food donations – a voluntary form of admission – greeted people as they entered the arena. Two large bins of food were delivered to Westbay Community Action. (Text and photos by John Howell)