A beloved summertime tradition returns to the heart of Downtown Indianapolis next Thursday for its 34th consecutive year.
The American Dairy Association Indiana (ADAI) Ice Cream Social on the Circle is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 on Monument Circle’s southeast quadrant in front of the Circle Tower Building, Hilbert Circle Theatre and AES headquarters. A bevy of volunteers – including a multitude of Celebrity Scoopers – will dish up gigantic ice cream sundaes from four serving tents for just $5 each. All proceeds raised (including tips) will be contributed by the dairy association to benefit the programs of the 10 Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis sites.
In addition to ice cream sundaes and $1 bottled water, guests will enjoy music, games, mascot antics, a meet-and-greet with a cow and calf from Purdue Dairy Sciences, and more. The Ice Cream Social celebrates July as National Ice Cream Month and delivers a nod to Indiana’s No. 2 ranking in U.S. ice cream production.
“We love visiting the heart of Indianapolis to serve delicious ice cream sundaes while raising funds for such a deserving local organization,” ADAI CEO Jenni Browning said. “Indiana’s dairy farm families have celebrated National Ice Cream Month with this event for 34 consecutive July’s, and we all love having people join us on the Circle to thoroughly enjoy scrumptious ice cream with all of their favorite toppings on these hot summer days.”
Browning continued, “But even more than that, our nearly 700 Hoosier dairy farm families truly love giving back to the local community, this year to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. This organization serves nearly 7,300 area youth annually in career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health & fitness. We are so pleased and proud that proceeds from this year’s Ice Cream Social will help support these important initiatives serving Indy’s youth and assist Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis in doing whatever it takes to build great futures.”
An Ice Cream Social feature popular with downtown businesses and residents also returns this year: the Ice Cream Party Packs. Pre-orders for Ice Cream Party Packs are available and enable guests to throw their own ice cream socials at office or home. Priced at just $25, the Party Packs come in a cooler filled with a variety of prizes and two 48-ounce cartons of ice cream, one topping, one can of whipped cream, an ice cream scoop, plus bowls, spoons, and napkins. Party Pack pre-orders are due by July 11; orders can be picked up at the Ice Cream Social from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 13 from the large tent directly in front of Hilbert Circle Theatre. Pre-order at IndyIceCream.com. Proceeds from Party Pack sales also will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis.
People unable to attend the Ice Cream Social in person might want to consider “Funding a Scoop” for a Club kid by making a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis: a $50 contribution will support a Club kid in summer camp, while a $25 donation will support a Club kid’s annual school-year membership. Donations can also be made at IndyIceCream.com.
“We can’t wait to greet our friends on the Circle again this year!” Browning said. “We encourage everyone to wear your ‘Sundae Best’ and join us July 13 at the Ice Cream Social on the Circle! And we sincerely thank our 2023 Ice Cream Social promotional partners: Prairie Farms, Kroger, Purdue Agriculture, Downtown Indy, and Cumulus radio stations WJJK, WZPL, WFMS, 107.9 The Mix, and X93.9. We appreciate their support!”