Among Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom’s thrill rides, water park, and fried foods is, perhaps, an unexpected attraction...an ice-skating show.

Yes, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom has an ice rink. And yes, professional figure skaters from across the country are performing there this summer in "Snoopy's Big Bow Wow" production.

The 60-by-35-foot ice stage is in the Good Time Theatre, near the park’s entrance. Built in 2009, the theater seats 603 people. 

Parkland High School’s Nicholas Bonsell, who won the Student Achievement Freddy Award at the State Theatre in May, is head technician at the Good Time Theatre. His job, he said, is to make sure all the lights, sound, and projections work correctly. 

When the theater first opened, “Snoopy Rocks on Ice” took the stage. Woodstock Ice Productions owner Jill Schulz, daughter of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, worked with choreographer Karen Kresge to create the new show.

“Great tricks, great show, and of course, Snoopy,” said skater Melissa Topakbashian, who runs rehearsals and skates in six numbers.

“I like the fast pace and high energy,” she said. “The numbers go very, very quickly.”

Figure skating shows are not new to Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which owns Dorney Park. Other Cedar Fair locations that offer ice shows include Cedar Point in Ohio, Knott’s Berry Farm in California, Canada’s Wonderland, and California’s Great America. The universal character among the shows is Snoopy.

Like Topakbashian, of King of Prussia, several of the skaters in the Dorney ice show are from the region. However, other skaters traveled here from other parts of the country. Married couple Svetlana Butova and Max Fomin are both competitive skaters originally from Russia; they currently live outside New York City.

“It’s great to meet people from other areas of the country and find out about their cultures and their way of life,” said Topakbashian, who has been skating for 20 years. “We’re just one big family when we skate.”

Zach Spillers, of Dallas, Texas, said he was invited him by Topakbashian to be in the show. The two had performed together seven years ago.

“It’s great to see the crowd reaction and the kids’ faces when they enjoy the show,” said Spillers, who has been skating for 18 years. 

It’s all smiles on stage, but Spillers said it can get a little hectic behind the scenes. “We have very little time between each number, so they’re all very quick changes,” he said. “The dressers help us out, and it makes it a lot easier.”

The skaters do something called a “goody” to help them keep their energy up through the show.

“A goody is when you’re on the ice, and say at the same point in the number you see the same person everyday. You give them a look or you make a face,” said skater Jessica Kleinwacks. “You’re waiting in one wing and the person’s waiting in the other wing, and you’re doing some crazy dance....”

Kleinwacks, of Morris Plains, N.J. performed in another Snoopy show last year at California’s Great America. She said she wanted her family in New Jersey to be able to see her perform this summer, so Dorney Park was a closer choice.

All of the skaters live in Allentown for their 13-week contract. They have three weeks of rehearsals before the 10-week show season begins.

“You spend every day with this group of people, so you start to form relationships and bonds,” Kleinwacks said. “It’s really nice. It’s your summer family because they are the people you spend most of your time with.”

The skaters have a 48-hour work week; their only day off is Wednesday. When they aren’t spending time together in rehearsals or on stage, Spillers said they get together and sometimes have pot luck dinners.

Once the skaters’ contracts end, some will go off to perform on cruise lines and show tours, but most have returned year after year, Dorney officials said.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Spillers said. “I have a degree in architecture, so I may pursue that, but skating is a great passion. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up back here next summer.”

If you go:

What: “Snoopy’s Big Bow Wow” ice show

When: Everyday, except Wednesdays, at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. A matinee show takes place on Saturdays at 2 p.m.

Cost: Included in Dorney Park's general admission.