The 44th Annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social will once again be held in person at the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson.
The event will be held Monday, July 4, between 1 and 3 p.m.
According to information released by the museum, the event is held in recognition of Independence Day.
“The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social, a longtime tradition at the Hoard Historical Museum, is a tasty and fun time to celebrate our history and summer in Wisconsin. We hope that you can spend part of your Fourth of July holiday with us,” Merrilee Lee, museum director, was quoted as saying in the release.
In addition to lots of “creamy vanilla ice cream, there will be delicious toppings, with select toppings courtesy of Fort Atkinson’s Frostie Freeze,” the release continued.
Music will be provided by “The Harmony Cornet Band,” which plays historical popular music on period instruments, the release continued.
“There is nothing quite like hearing classic favorites such as ‘America’ or the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ played on instruments as old as the songs. There will also be public readings of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address to help remind us why we celebrate the Fourth of July,” Lee said.
Event-goers are asked to bring their own seating, including blankets and chairs.
Along with music, event-goers will find quilt presentations, the release noted.
The museum will be open, between 1 and 3 p.m., during the Ice cream social.
The Dwight Foster House, which is located on the museum’s grounds, will also be open for tours. Both indoor and outdoor activities will be available for families. Activities will consist of games, crafts and “old-fashioned fun,” the release stated.
The 1901 Water Tower will also be open during the event. The water tower, located at the corner of South Fourth Street East and High Street, will be open for free tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to the release, there are limitations to touring the water tower. It is not handicap-accessible, individuals under 8 years old and 48 inches are not able to climb the tower, and tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Those interested in learning more about tours of the water town can call: 920-397-9914.
During the event, extra parking will be available in the lot at the First Baptist Church, 420 Whitewater Ave., as well as in the lot across from the Fort Atkinson Middle School, 310 S. Fourth Street.
Tours of the museums and the Foster House are free.
Ice cream served at the event is also free, however, cash donations are gratefully appreciated, the release stated.
Within the release, several business were recognized for providing support for museum programming, including events like the ice cream social. They include: Abendroth Water Conditioning, Badger Bank, Behling, Jasper and Selberg LLC, Blodgett Garden Center, Business and Tax Systems LLC, Daley Painting and Decorating, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Jonas Office Supply, Jones Dairy Farm, Kessenich-Tesmer Design, Tuttle’s Pharmacy, Premier Bank, and W & A Distribution.
The Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum are located at 401 Whitewater Ave., Fort Atkinson.
The museums are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For more information, visit: www.hoardmuseum.org. The museums can also be reached by email: info@hoardmuseum.org.
Two photos above: event-goers enjoy activities during an ice cream social held in a previous year. Contributed photos.
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