The Reading Terminal Market is slated to host a delicious and family-friendly day to celebrate Philadelphia’s rich ice cream heritage on July 29, from 10 a.m–4 p.m. at its Philly Ice Cream Scoop festival. The event will bring together local independent ice cream artisans and Reading Terminal merchants for a day of ice cream specials, demonstrations, contests, games and arts and crafts.
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Photo by Michelle Kornegay |
The Franklin Fountain, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, Lil’ Pop Shop and Zsa’s Ice Cream will join Bassetts Ice Cream at RTM to serve up select flavors and treats. Guests will also enjoy more than 20 ice cream specials from various RTM merchants including chocolate funnel cake topped with ice cream, chocolate-dipped ice cream sandwiches, waffles and ice cream, ice cream whoopie pies and ice cream floats. Free demonstrations will take place throughout the day to showcase the history of ice cream, how it’s made and the art of crafting the perfect sundae.
The festival also includes ice cream eating contests, a photo booth and ice cream-themed shuffleboard. Families can make their own sprinkles necklaces and ice cream magnets, among other arts and crafts projects.
“There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a scoop of ice cream. We wanted to bring together ice cream connoisseurs from all over the city for this event, to showcase the spectrum of what Philadelphia has to offer and how traditional ice cream has evolved. We’re looking forward to having guests try everything from the classic flavors to more modern takes on this dessert,” says Anuj Gupta, Reading Terminal Market general manager. “Reading Terminal Market is home to America’s oldest ice cream company, Bassetts Ice Cream, so the heritage of this particular dessert runs deep for us and we wanted to take a fun opportunity to highlight that.”
Michael Strange, fifth-generation owner of Bassetts Ice Cream, adds, “Philadelphia has a history of great ice cream, and we are thrilled to celebrate this tradition with our Philly ice cream comrades at a delicious, entertaining and family-friendly festival of frozen fun.”
12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, (215) 922-2317, www.readingterminalmarket.org
