Gem City Skate

"No one is free until we are all free."

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the last enslaved African Americans were finally free. That day became known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom delayed is freedom denied and that justice is only meaningful when it reaches everyone.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and perseverance of those who endured unimaginable hardships while never losing hope for a better future. We celebrate Black history, Black culture, and the generations who have continued the work of advancing equality and opportunity.

May we never forget the past, may we continue to learn from it, and may we all play a part in building a future where freedom, dignity, and opportunity are truly shared by everyone.

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Lauryn 🌟

Today's spotlight is extra special because it's also Lauryn's birthday! 🎉 Help us wish her a very happy birthday in the comments!

Lauryn has been part of the Gem City Skate family since May 2024 and holds a special place in our history as our very first HIRED employee. Since day one, she has been an incredible asset to our team, always bringing her personality, energy, and love of skating to the rink.

Originally from Corry, Pennsylvania, Lauryn is turning 23 today and says one of her favorite things about working at the rink is that she gets to skate basically all the time. She also loves the people she works with and the customers she meets along the way.

When asked where she sees herself in five years, Lauryn didn't disappoint: “living in a castle on a hill with bionic knees, four cats, and a dog.”

Her favorite quote:
"Act broke, stay rich." — her boyfriend

Happy Birthday, Lauryn, and thank you for everything you do for Gem City Skate! ❤️🛼

📷 courtesy of: Gates Kevin 🤟

🎉 FINAL WEEK OF SUMMER PASSES! 🎉

What an incredible year for our Summer Pass Program!

Thanks to the participation of local schools, preschools, and educational programs, we've been able to approve and distribute:

🎟️ 3,213 student passes
🏫 57 participating schools/programs
🍎 190 teachers and administrators

We are so grateful to every educator who took the time to register their students and help provide families with affordable summer fun at Gem City Skate.

📢 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR TEACHERS

If you applied for Summer Passes but did not receive them, please check your email first.

✔️ If your application was denied, an email was sent explaining why and outlining any steps needed for reconsideration.

✔️ If your application was approved, but you never received your student passes, we've recently discovered that some school email systems may have blocked or filtered our messages.

If you believe you were approved but never received your passes, please send us a Facebook message with:

• Your name
• School/program name
• Email address used on your application
• Phone number

Once we verify your information, we'll send a direct link to your student passes through Facebook Messenger.

⏰ The Summer Pass Program closes soon, so please reach out as soon as possible if you're still waiting for your passes!

Thank you again to all of the amazing educators who help make this program possible. ❤️

🛼❤️ Looking for something fun, local, and a little different next Saturday?

Our friends at Erie Roller Derby are kicking off their 2026 home season with their annual Pride Bout on June 20th at the Bayfront Convention Center! The Bayfront Bombshells will take on Glass City Rollers in what is sure to be an exciting night of hard hits, fast skating, and incredible athleticism.

ERD's skaters practice right here at Gem City Skate, and we've had the privilege of working closely with this amazing organization for the start. If you've never experienced roller derby in person, this is your sign to check it out. The speed, strategy, teamwork, and energy are something you really have to see for yourself.

Whether you're a longtime derby fan or completely new to the sport, come out and support a fantastic local organization that helps make Erie such a unique community.

🎟️ Ticket Link in the comments

Who's going? 👇

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT. 🛼🔥

Adult Only Skate is happening TONIGHT at Gem City Skate from 6PM–9PM and we could not be more ready. 😎

No kids. No stress. No responsibilities for a few hours. Just skating, music, laughs, and a building full of adults trying not to pull a muscle showing off. 😂✨

🛼 Admission: $10
🛼 Skate Rental: $2
🛼 Ages 18+ Only

Grab your friends and come make some memories tonight. See you on the floor. 🔥

Tomorrow night = Adult Only Skate. 😎🔥

That’s right — the adults take over GemCitySkate TOMORROW from 6PM–9PM and we’re ready for another amazing night on wheels. 🛼✨

Text the group chat, charge your phone for skate videos, and start mentally preparing your knees now. 😂

🛼 Admission: $10
🛼 Skate Rental: $2
🛼 Ages 18+ Only

See you tomorrow night under the lights. ✨

Friendly reminder that Adult Only Skate is THIS Sunday at Gem City Skate and your weekend plans are basically making themselves at this point. 😎🛼

We’re talking good music, low lights, great people, and a few hours where nobody is asking you for snacks, help with homework, or where their charger is. 😂

🛼 Sunday, May 31st
🛼 6PM–9PM
🛼 Admission: $10
🛼 Skate Rental: $2
🛼 Ages 18+ Only

Friday feels a little better when you’ve got something fun to look forward to. ✨

TODAY’S THE DAY. 😎🛼✨

Freaky Friday is happening TODAY at Gem City Skate from 5PM–8:30PM!

Come kick off your weekend with music, lights, skating, and a Friday night session that’s anything but ordinary. 🔥

🛼 Admission: $7
🛼 Skate Rental: $2

And don’t forget — Teen Night follows immediately after from 9PM–12AM! 👀

We’ll see you tonight on the floor. ✨

Tomorrow night lets get a little CRAZY. 😎🛼🔥

Freaky Friday rolls into Gem City Skate TOMORROW from 5PM–8:30PM with skating, music, lights, and all the weekend energy you need.

🛼 Admission: $7
🛼 Skate Rental: $2

Then at 9PM, Teen Night takes over until midnight. 👀✨

Two sessions. One building. An entire Friday night of fun.

Only 2 more days until Freaky Friday at Gem City Skate 😎🛼

This Friday, we’re changing things up with a special skate session from 5PM–8:30PM packed with music, lights, and all the Friday night fun. ✨

🛼 Admission: $7
🛼 Skate Rental: $2

And right after? Teen Night takes over from 9PM–12AM. 👀🔥

Friday night plans = officially handled.