What: Rollodrome
Where: 12 Riverside Drive, Auburn
When: Thursday 7:30-10 p.m., theme is country and oldies, ages 20+; Friday 7:30-11 p.m., dance, 12+; Saturday 1:30-4 p.m., top 40, all ages; Saturday 7:30-10 p.m., top 40, all ages; Sunday 1:30-4 p.m., top 40, all ages; Sunday 7:30-10 p.m., top 40 & classics, all ages.
 How much: Admission Thursday, Saturday and Sunday $5; Friday $6. Rentals: roller skates $1; inline skates $3.
Why: Affordable fun for all ages.
Special half-day Wednesday skate dates: April 1, 8, 15, and 29: 1-3 p.m.; April 23 1-4:30 p.m.; $5 admission (skate rental included)

One small misstep by 4-year-old Graison Cote’s skate-donned feet and both she and her mother, Taylor Harrison, landed on the hardwood floor.
One of the “rink referees” — my words — at the Rollodrome in Auburn immediately skated to where they sat, standing in back of them to preventing anyone from stumbling over them. A few tears and a big hug later, the two were up and back on all wheels. Smiles back on faces, the good times continued.
It all started with two moms looking for something to do with the kids on an overcast and chilly day. Harrison and I decided to have fun (and get the kids to burn off some energy) and go roller-skating.
Since 1954, the Rollodrome, currently owned by brother and sister Rachel Potvin and Dan Laravee, has been one of the top spots in L-A for family fun. The rink is often full of people skating and having fun, wearing either retro-cool roller skates or modern inline skates.
An all-ages afternoon, there were a few birthday parties in progress, with balloons and festive decorations the telltale signs. There were children of all ages, several pre-school aged, with trainer skates on. While our boys skated ovals around us, we girls posed no threat to anyone, except for maybe being a bit too slow.
Many skaters passed us, skating backwards, then forwards, and backwards again. I have to admit their skill and agility was incredibly impressive.
The Rollodrome is really an ideal spot for a birthday party. Everything is set up for you, the fun is taken care of and there’s minimal cleanup, unlike having the festivities at home. Over the past several years I’ve opted to hold each of my son’s parties there. There are a few arcade games and booth tables in a room at the back of the building, along with rentable lockers to store shoes and personal belongings. Bench seating lines one end of the rink, where the seven of us quickly found a place to sit and put on our skates earlier.
Laravee, who’s also the DJ, was taking song requests on a clipboard at the skate rental counter, and I was not surprised to see a line of giggling teenage girls excitedly filling in their song choices.
After Graison’s minor fall, we took two more trips around the rink before an announcement came over the speakers signaling it was time for the couples-only skate. Graison, her sister Madison, 7, Harrison and I skated — without mishap — to the rink exits and sat down. Harrison’s son Jason, 10, and my sons Brayden Deraps, 13, and Riley Deraps, 9, went for drinks. The rink has refreshments, snacks and other items for purchase, like glow-in-the-dark bracelets and even brake pads and wheels for your skates.
The numbers game was up next. Much like musical chairs, a song is played and skaters have to skate to an area under a number on the wall when the music stops. Laravee then called out a number and everyone under it had to skate off the rink floor. The elimination continued until one number was left. Its group earned free passes for future skating. House character Rufus the kangaroo made his appearance during the game, skating around, interacting with children and the like.
When “Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper came on next, I promptly headed for the rink’s exits. Left foot stomp, right foot stomp, everybody criss-crossing and all that hand clapping, not to mention hopping — I remind you, this is all done on wheels. These people were far more coordinated then I am.
The boys all red-faced and nearly out of breath from racing each other, and the girls tired from trying to stay up on all four wheels, we decided to return our skates and call it a day. Maybe next time the moms will try an adult skate. I’d like to see if I can actually skate at normal speed.
If you’re interested in more information or booking a birthday party contact Rachel at 783-3015 or visit http://rollodrome.com.
tschamberland@sunjournal.com

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