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Le Mars celebration days renamed 'Ice Cream Days' in honor of city's worldwide ice cream designationBy Tom PetersenSentinel EditorHave you had some Wells' Blue Bunny ice cream today?There is more ice cream produced in the city of Le Mars by a single company than any other city in the world.In addition:The annual tonnage of chocolate ice cream bar coating used by Wells' Dairy would cover 30 football fields at a thickness of one inch thick.Given these facts, plus many other equally impressive statistics, Le Mars was named the official Ice Cream Capital of the World by the Iowa State Legislature in March 1994.The ideas germinated with then-Chamber President Tom Maser in 1993. One of the goals was to come up with a slogan for the town, he recalls, and they \vanted to come up with something we could all rally behind, and create some tourism.A brainstorming session was held one day at the Chamber with the head committee. Out of this group came the idea of Ice Cream Capital of the World.We thought the first thing to do was to get some signs up out by the highway, said Maser. We went out and raised some money through private donations. Two signs were erected on Highway 75 north and south, with two more yet to be erected.Maser said the Chamber met with Wells' officials to make sure it was okay (to pursue the sloganand designation for the town). Upon receiving their approval, they contributed data that was used by the Chamber to give to the state legislature.Local representatives Brad Banks and Ralph Klemme introduced it into the Spring '94 legislature. It was passed by the Legislature and a trip to the statehouse by the Chamber Ambassadors followed. Ice cream bars were handed out to all those present, of course.We want to thank Ralph and Brad for getting that through for us, said Maser.Maser said the Chamber then set to work to create specific Chamber functions in which ice cream could be featured. Everyone quickly realized that ice cream was a natural complement to many Chamber activities.I would still like to try and set a world record for the largest ice cream sundae, banana split, or ice cream shake, said Maser. I have been talking with Wells' about that for about two years.Maser said future plans could include a turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor downtown. We would like to take an older storefront downtown and maybe putting in a drugstore/ice cream fountain, he said.Ice Cream DaysIce cream figures heavily in this year's Celebration '95.Ice cream was first featured during the Dixie Daddies concert last summer during Celebration '94/ Le Mars Quasquicentennial.This year, Celebration '95 has been renamed and expanded to Ice Cream Days — Celebration'95, For the first time, an attempt will be made to include ice cream or the ice cream theme with many of the town's Fourth of July celebrations.Monday, July 3, has been designated as a day for the retail establishment in downtown Le Mars to pursue the concept even further.A Big .Dip Sale begins at 9 a.m. on that day, with merchants holding in-store giveaways for ice cream products.Bomb Pops will be sold by the Chamber on Central Avenue, the Wal-Mart parking lot and the Bomgaars parking lot.From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Soda Jerks from the National Association of Soda Jerks will perform and showcase their skills. They will bring with them supplies, technique, memories and an exhibitionof memorabilia. They will also be serving root beer floats in authentic Soda jerk costumes.From 5-6 p.m., ice cream relays will be held downtown on Central Avenue. These relays will feature local groups and individuals competing against each other in various relays.Maser said he hopes Le Mars will eventually develop a regional or national reputation based around the ice cream theme.I think its something that almost everyone likes, he said. It's a nice, clean industry, and something that's fun to be known for. If we should continue to build upon it...nothing but good things will come from it.Creating an annual festival revolving around ice cream around the Fourth of July is just a natural.
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Mon, Jan 01, 0001
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AL, USA 24 Mar 2022
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