LaRose’s Skating Rink, at 2800 Interchange Road, Route 209, celebrated its 100th anniversary last Saturday.

Along with skating, of course, a basket raffle was held with proceeds from the event to help support Dylan and Gavin’s Rainbow Ministry, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping families facing the serious illness or loss of a child.

Joshua Eckhart, who has taken over as manager, said the family-owned business was started in 1926 by his great-great grandparents.

“I am proud to be the fifth generation taking the reins and hope to continue providing the same family-friendly skating rink experience that so many people know and love for generations to come,” Eckhart said.

LaRose’s Roller Skating got its start in 1926. John and Sallie LaRose used to own a grocery store in the part of Weissport known locally as Rickertsville. Sallie ran the store, while John was a butcher.

It was in 1924 when they purchased the property where the rink stands.

In the late 1920s the LaRoses built a gas station at the site.

Then, in 1926, John and Sallie decided to open a roller skating rink on the property, and it has remained in the LaRose’s family ever since.

A member of the family, Victor Solt, built the rink and the homestead next door.

Skating has meaning for Richard and Claire Everett of Lehighton.

“I met my wife Claire and had never really come here that much,” Richard Everett said.

“When we first started dating, I would stumble up and down the walls until I really learned how to skate,” he said. “Once I joined the Air Force, we started skating more and then Claire’s parents bought a skate rink out in Paxton, Illinois, it really became a thing for us and myself, going to skate with the local kids at the rink, too.”

Skating spans generations. Marian LaRose-May of Walnutport said. “I was born and raised into this business. My grandparents started this business and my mother and father ran the ring.”

That meant they all grew up roller skating. “It’s still in the family,” LaRose-May said. “Now we’re in a fifth generation of operation. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Miranda Bellis of Palmerton grew up on skates. “I started skating here maybe when I was 5,” she said. “My grandmother skated here when she was younger, my mom skated here when she was younger, I skated here when I was younger; I grew up here every Friday Saturday night, and I always wanted to work here.

She talked to Brenda and Roy Artz, owners at the time, and got a job.

“I learned everything it is to be here. It’s just awesome,” Bellis said. “It’s like I’m part of the family.”

It’s more like a hobby, she said. “I love being here, just being with the people and being with the kids. My son just graduated preschool and he said he wanted to be a rink worker when he got older so I have him starting in training. I hope it stays around a lot longer!”

Aurora Litke of Jim Thorpe is new skater — she’s been skating for six months.

“My sister and all my friends are here with me too,” Litke said. “We have been going to skating every like Friday and sometimes like Saturday and, today’s the celebration of the 100th anniversary. It’s like insane to me because they’ve been open for 100 years, there’s a bunch of fun stuff to do today!”

The rink has started to add special skate sessions such as adult skate night every first and third Tuesday of the month from 6-9 p.m. for those age 18 and older.

In addition, Eckhart said they also offer a Homeschool Skate Session every first Wednesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. when the local school district is in session, and added they hope to offer additional times for beginner skaters in the near future.

Eckhart said they have open skate sessions every Friday and Saturday from 7-10 p.m.

He also said they host many different types of celebrations, including birthday parties, family gatherings, sports team, Scout groups, youth organizations, school clubs, and more.

Reservation fill up fast, so call 848-377-1859.