The show itself was amazing! All the skaters did a wonderful job. Highlights were watching Takeshi skate to "I believe I can fly", Michael Hopfes doing a passionate skate to "Lord of the Dance", and of course, Brian skating to both "Dear Father" and "Rootbeer and Licorice". I even managed to get a bit of ice sprayed on me by Brian when he was being playful!! Unfortunately, during the break, he was walking around and I was commenting to my friend that I thought his yellow pants were "snazzy" and he overheard me, and just smiled at me...*sigh*, for some reason I always say the strangest things to him!!
The most exciting part of the event is always the reception. Here, fans and skaters meet at a local community center. It's very fun and obviously taxing on the skaters, but they are always real troupers. Below, I have various pics of the reception. I did manage to get my "Orser: A Skater's Life" Book autographed (you will see the obnoxious look on my face), and get a nice picture with Brian and another friend of mine. He was obviously tired and attempting to relax with a beer, so I didn't want to bother him too much. As usual, he was totally sweet :-)
Photos By Leilani Hinds, Lynn Fischer, and Mary-Justine Conrad
With my skaaaating buddy Moyra
More 1999 Mariposa Gala
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