WILMINGTON, Del. — County Executive Tom Gordon would like to remind New Castle County residents and visitors alike that the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Rockwood Park amidst a backdrop of a fair weather forecast, robust vendor participation, and national television exposure on the Food Network.
County Executive Gordon lauded Barry Schlecker of Barry’s Events, event producer and co-sponsor of the festival with the County, for all of his efforts, as well as County staff.
“I promised Barry good weather, and he promised that this would be the best Ice Cream Festival ever,” County Executive Gordon said. “This is a great family event that shows off all the different business establishments in Wilmington and New Castle County for a two-day period. Hopefully, 25,000 or more people will get to enjoy this family picnic and learn more about the establishments participating in the Ice Cream Festival, not to mention the national exposure.”
Nine dairies and creators of ice cream treats from in and near Delaware will put their best to the test this weekend at the Old Fashioned ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park, competing in the festival’s first “Best Sundae on Sunday” contest. This competition will give participants some national attention, as the Food Network’s new “Food Fest Nation” show, including host Anthony Anderson, will be on hand on June 28-29 to capture the competition and the enthusiasm of ice-cream lovers of all ages at “Delaware’s largest family picnic.”
Participating in the contest will be: HyPoint Dairy, Kilby Cream, UDairy Creamery, Caffé Gelato, the Ice Cream Shop, Sweet Lucy’s, Palateria y Neuvaria Tocumbo, Cajun Sno and Vanderwende Dairy.
A team of professional cooks and food critics will judge the entries. Besides bragging rights, the winner will receive free vendor space at next year’s festival.
In addition to fresh ice cream treats, the festival will feature music all day on two stages — one for adults and the other for younger audiences. Other entertainment at the festival includes an appearance by The Lone Ranger and his great horse Silver and performances by the Juggling Hoffmans, the Brandywine Traveling Zoo, Annie’s Menagerie, Mad Science and Jungle John.
With 25 restaurant and snack vendors, as well as a beer garden, the festival offers food and beverages for everyone’s taste. A variety of games and activities will wrap around the children’s stage, and adults can check out the work of more than 20 crafters and learn more about 40 local businesses and 20 nonprofit organizations.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 29. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children under 12. Free shuttle bus service will be provided between Rockwood and parking lots at Merchants Square, Mount Pleasant High School and the Rockwood Office Park.
For more festival details, go to rockwoodicecream.com.
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