Le Mars Ice Cream Days: An Iowa Sweet Treat Tradition
Le Mars Ice Cream Days: An Iowa Sweet Treat Tradition
Le Mars, Iowa, is known for its delicious ice cream. In fact, the city has been nicknamed the "Ice Cream Capital of the World." Every summer, Le Mars hosts Ice Cream Days, a festival that celebrates all things ice cream.
A History of Ice Cream Days
The first Ice Cream Days festival was held in 1911. The festival was originally called the "Dairy Days Festival" and was intended to promote the citys dairy industry. In 1923, the festival was renamed "Ice Cream Days."
Today, Ice Cream Days is a major event in Le Mars. The festival attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. Visitors can enjoy live music, food vendors, and of course, plenty of ice cream.
Economic Impact
Ice Cream Days has a significant economic impact on Le Mars. According to the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce, the festival generates over $10 million in revenue for the city. The festival also supports local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.
What to Expect at Ice Cream Days
If youre planning to attend Ice Cream Days, there are a few things you can expect.
Food and Drinks
There will be plenty of food and drinks available at Ice Cream Days. In addition to ice cream, you can find other treats, such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and lemonade.
Live Music
There will be live music performances throughout the festival. The music will range from country to rock to pop.
Family-Friendly Activities
Ice Cream Days is a family-friendly event. There will be plenty of activities for kids, such as face painting, games, and rides.
Ice Cream Social
One of the highlights of Ice Cream Days is the ice cream social. The social is held on the last day of the festival and features free ice cream for everyone.
Planning Your Trip
If youre planning to attend Ice Cream Days, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Accommodation
Le Mars has a limited number of hotels, so its important to book your accommodation in advance. You can find a list of hotels on the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce website.
Transportation
Le Mars is located about an hour northwest of Sioux City. There are a few different ways to get to Le Mars, including by car, bus, or train.
Parking
Parking can be limited during Ice Cream Days. Its best to arrive early or park in a designated parking lot.
Ice Cream in Le Mars
Of course, no trip to Le Mars would be complete without trying the ice cream. There are several ice cream shops in Le Mars, including:
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor
The Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor is the most popular ice cream shop in Le Mars. The parlor offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors, as well as sundaes, shakes, and malts.
The Ice Cream Factory
The Ice Cream Factory is a family-owned ice cream shop that has been serving Le Mars for over 50 years. The shop offers a variety of ice cream flavors, as well as homemade waffle cones.
Roxys Homemade Ice Cream & Candy
Roxys Homemade Ice Cream & Candy is a small ice cream shop that offers a variety of unique ice cream flavors. The shop also sells homemade candy and other treats.
Events and Activities
In addition to the food and drinks, there will be plenty of events and activities at Ice Cream Days. These events and activities include:
Parade
The Ice Cream Days parade is held on the first day of the festival. The parade features floats, marching bands, and other performers.
Car Show
The Ice Cream Days car show is held on the second day of the festival. The car show features classic cars, hot rods, and other vehicles.
Ice Cream Eating Contest
The Ice Cream Days ice cream eating contest is held on the third day of the festival. The contest is open to all ages and features a variety of ice cream flavors.
Fireworks
The Ice Cream Days fireworks show is held on the last day of the festival. The fireworks show is a spectacular display of lights and colors.
Interesting Story Cases
Over the years, there have been many interesting story cases at Ice Cream Days. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Worlds Largest Ice Cream Cone
In 2010, the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor made the worlds largest ice cream cone. The cone was over 12 feet tall and weighed over 500 pounds.
The Ice Cream Eating Champion
In 2015, Joey Chestnut won the Ice Cream Days ice cream eating contest by eating over 20 pounds of ice cream in 12 minutes.
The Ice Cream Wedding
In 2016, a couple got married at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. The wedding ceremony was officiated by an ice cream cone.
Conclusion
Le Mars Ice Cream Days is a fun and delicious event for the whole family. If youre looking for a sweet way to spend your summer, be sure to check out Ice Cream Days.
