Silver Skates competition kicks off, harking back to when skating ruled Chicago

Theodore, left, and Henry race during the Chicago Park District’s Silver Skates competition at Midway Plaisance Park. Tuesday evening’s event was the first of six competitions this month across the city leading to the citywide contest June 21. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

Jerome Scott has fond memories of gliding along the ice in front of a cheering crowd in his first Silver Skates race about 15 years ago.

Scott, 57, didn’t come out on top, but the experience stayed with him, and he’s attended the event nearly every year since, turning it into a family affair. His 11-year-old daughter, Tirzah, has skated in the competition along with him for the last four years.