My first recollection of an ice cream social was at an ice cream social in Elgin, Illinois. It was being put on by the 1st Methodist Church. My Grandma was a member and we went to Lord's Park and ate ice cream near the lagoon in a beautiful pavilion. A band concert accompanied the social. Ladies wore their summer dresses of soft material...usually flowered. Some wore hats. I have been to many socials since that first one. In grade school during the social we had a cake walk. Do you remember those? 
The cakes are won in rounds so arrange chairs in a circle (one less chair than the number of guests who are participating) Start the music and watch as guests walk, dance, skip around the circle. When the music stops, everyone scrambles to sit in a chair. The person without a chair will be out. Keep going like musical chairs, and the last one standing will win a cake. Repeat the process until all the cakes have been won and hope that the winners will share their prizes with everyone for dessert! This can be played different ways...however it's played, it was one of my favorite games to play. I really can't remember winning a cake though.
Do you remember the good humor man?We lived in a little neighborhood of new homes built after WW ll. Our families were all in the same boat...not much money, but it seemed there was always a little left over for an ice cream bar. I miss the summer days when you would hear the familiar ringing of the little bell to announce that the Good Humor man was coming.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."
The International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month. In 2009, National Ice Cream Day will be Sunday, July 19.
The U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. About 9% of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation's dairy industry.
Founded in 1900, IICA is the trade association for manufacturers and distributors of ice cream and other frozen dessert products. The association's activities range from legislative and regulatory advocacy to market research, education and training. Its 80 member companies manufacture and distribute an estimated 85% of the ice cream and frozen dessert products consumed in the United States.
Today is my grand daughter Xoie's birthday. I wanted to wish her a happy day and I hope that she gets some ice cream to eat. After all, it's her special day...
Balisha
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