The toys are back on the ice at Power Balance Pavilion

The toys are back in town — Disney On Ice presents Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story 3," including memorable moments from "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2," through Monday at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento.

The third installment of blockbuster film series introduced a few new faces to the familiar cast of toys, including Barbie's groovy bachelor, Ken, and Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear, who join Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and the rest of the gang for Buzz's galactic battle with Emperor Zurg and a hoe-down at Woody's Roundup.

Kristine Gardner, 26, who hails from New Brunswick, Canada, is an eight-year performer with Disney On Ice, and in "Toy Story 3," she skates in the iconic role of Barbie.

"Performing is always amazing," Gardner said. "You always get a lot of energy from the audience. I definitely like traveling — we are in a different city every week or different countries — so it's really nice."

Gardner said she enjoys sightseeing when she isn't performing. "Because we're in a different city every week, I love to go out and walk around, and because we are on the West Coast and in California, I love the weather. There is a lot of snow right now where I come from and it's freezing cold, so it's nice just to go out wearing a sweater or even a T-shirt. I love to go explore the different cities and discover their different foods or whatever is special about that place," she said.

If she wasn't a skater, Gardner said she would like to work in a children's hospital. "I love performing, but also, I do want to go to school one day to become a nurse," she said.

Gardner started skating when she was 3 years old. "I competed up until I was about 16, and I went to the Junior Nationals in Canada. I won the Bank of Montreal award when I was 12, which they hand out to the overall best skaters in each province," she said.

"I just started pairs skating last year. Up until then, I was a singles skater, but when I joined 'Toy Story 3,' I got to skate with a partner. I've been learning a lot of different things and wish I had started it a long time ago," she said.

"Barbie and Ken are the only pairs team in the show. It's a lot of fun, and the combination of two athletes putting their talent together is thrilling. It's a thrill for me, so I feed off it and get a lot of energy to be doing these tricks and be way up high in the air, lifted. It's just something so different than I had done before, and I enjoy it a lot," Gardner said.

"Figure skating is a rigorous sport that takes a lot of hours of practice, but for anyone who wants to do it, I recommend that you really try. There's a lot more to it than competing; you can have a career like mine for years and years if you want to be a performer. There are lots of different shows out there, but Disney is particularly great because you get to perform for so many children," she said.

"'Toy Story 3' is a fantastic show. It's fun, and you can see Woody and Jessie — and also Mickey and Minnie, so it's not just 'Toy Story.' You get to see other characters as well. It's a perfect way to bring your family together, a great show for kids and their parents. You will definitely have an amazing time," Gardner said.

CONTACT Susan Benitez at sbenitez@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4773. Find her on Facebook at /ADFeatures or on Twitter at @adfeatures.