Abilene ‘Swifties’ spread positivity at The Skatin’ Place’s Taylor Swift Skate night

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Abilene roller rink The Skatin’ Place hosted its first Swiftie Skate night on Thursday to a very positive response. Owner Jeff Groban said he was happy to make the night a reality after seeing the success of other events at other rinks around the country.

“Several of the rinks that have done this are on their second and third ones already because they have had such good turnout. So we’ll see how it goes and if we get a lot of people requesting. We’ll do another one,” Groban said.

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Abilenians of all ages came out to skate to their favorite tracks. However, attendees KTAB/KRBC spoke with say it’s not just the music that brings them together. Three pre-teen friends shared what they love so much about the international music star and why events like this one are so enjoyable.

“I love her personality and stuff,” said Ava Grant.

“She’s very inspirational, and I think it’s really fun to actually talk about it with other people instead of them being like, oh my gosh, I hate Taylor Swift,” Grant’s friend Mallory Meeks added.

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Meeks and her group are not alone in being tired of others taking any chance to talk down about their interests. Friends Harper Barton, Brooklyn Robertson, and Macynn Clark said the values they’ve learned from Taylor Swift make being a fan such a positive experience.

“They may not like her as a person or as a singer, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s joyful and nice and kind,” Robertson shared.

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“She doesn’t care if other people hate her or if other people like her. She’s just confident no matter what,” said Clark.

Confidence, especially when learned at a young age, can be infectious. Young Abilene Swift fan Natalie Moreno arrived at the event dressed in full Taylor Swift costume and excited to meet others who shared her interest.

“I met one person who said she’s a really big fan,” said Moreno.

Attendees say they are happily anticipating another Swiftie skate night if The Skatin’ Place decides to hold one. Groban shared that after such a big turnout, that’s a high possibility.

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