LE MARS, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) – The 2024 Ice Cream Days is extra sweet with Siouxland celebrating 30 years of Le Mars being the Ice Cream Capital of the World.
“In 1994, we still had a celebration, but it wasn’t called Ice Cream Days,” senior manager of Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor Beth Meyer said. “We knew we wanted to set ourselves apart, and what better way to do it than with ice cream?”
30 years ago, there was more ice cream being produced in Le Mars than in any other single location on Earth. Iowa state representative Ralph Klemme knew it was worth celebrating.
“That was when Ralph Klemme decided, ‘why don’t we become the ice cream capital of the world?’” Meyer said. “So he presented a congressional resolution and they all voted, and since then we’ve been the Ice Cream Capital of the World and we’ve been celebrating Ice Cream Days.”
But the annual celebration is about more than just the delicious Blue Bunny treats given out.
“We have so much legacy within the Wells business of families that have worked here,” Meyer said. “Generations that have worked within the business and made the ice cream that is worth celebrating, so when we come together it is also their celebration of making a quality product that is enjoyed all over the world.”
Along with all the ice cream they can eat, people can look forward to many incredible performances on the stage all weekend long.
“Everybody always loves the music, so the concert on Saturday night is nice because the venue is just really welcoming,” Ice Cream Days committee member Margaret Catton said. “It is a family-friendly event so you can bring your kids if you’d like.”
From Thursday’s family bike ride to Saturday morning’s parade, the city of Le Mars knows how to come together to celebrate their community.
“What’s so great about this community is when there is a need everybody puts in a hand, so we have all the local businesses participating,” Catton said. “We have a scavenger hunt that a lot of the local businesses participate in, and that helps you just get into the door and see a little bit more of the community. So we really couldn’t do it without the hands and heart of everyone involved.”
Find more information on the ice cream days event schedule here.