Did you know that California produces the most ice cream in America? We sure do love that frozen, creamy goodness. Perhaps not so coincidentally, our hottest month of the year thus far is also National Ice Cream Month! Fitting, as ice cream can be one of the best (and yummiest) ways to beat the heat of summer in East County.
Did you know that California produces the most ice cream in America? We sure do love that frozen, creamy goodness. Perhaps not so coincidentally, our hottest month of the year thus far is also National Ice Cream Month! Fitting, as ice cream can be one of the best (and yummiest) ways to beat the heat of summer in East County.
You might be thinking, “National Ice Cream Month? That’s just one of those silly, made-up holidays, right?” Amusingly enough, National Ice Cream month was actually instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also declared that the third Sunday of every July would be National Ice Cream Day. In the official proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to “observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
What more appropriate ceremony could there be to appreciate ice cream in all its sweet, smooth glory than an ice cream social?
Ice cream socials or ice cream parties have been a classic gathering in North America since the 18th century. In fact, there was another president that loved ice cream almost as much, if not more, than Ronald Reagan. Abraham Lincoln was known for hosting a massive ice cream party for his second inaugural ball in 1865. He served this favorite dessert to more than four thousand guests!
Hosting ice cream socials has been a favorite party option in my family for as long as I can remember – a go-to for birthday and graduation parties, reunions or movie viewings. .
Moderation never being a strength of mine, I would spoon two heaping scoops of ice cream into my bowl and then pile on the toppings. The syrups, cookies, candies, nuts and chopped fruits were all virtually begging me to consume them. Every single time, I would finish my bowl of ice cream (mint chocolate chip, more often than not), and sit there telling myself I should not have eaten so much.
I am older now, with a little bit more self-control, but I would be lying if I said ice cream does not still feel a little bit magical to me.
So, thank you, President Reagan for giving us all an excuse to indulge in a favorite sweet treat, and perhaps to build a closer knit community by appropriately observing the event with an ice cream party!
