Ephrata Cloister Ice Cream Social

Ephrata Cloister Ice Cream Social

Hosted by Ephrata Cloister Associates
Ice Cream Social featuring ice cream and brownie sundaes; a visit from Patrick Miller, Wildlife Specialist, and a variety of native animals and birds; KPETS therapy dogs; admission to the grounds and historic buildings.
August 7th, 2022
1pm-4pm
Historic Ephrata Cloister 632 W. Main Street
Ephrata, PA 17522
$10; $5 for ECA members
It’s Time for Ice Cream!

 Can you imagine anything that would taste better right now than a dish of ice cream? Maybe ice cream and a brownie! These hot summer days are just begging for something cold and creamy, and we have it!  Historic Ephrata Cloister, where Ephrata began, will open its grounds to the community on Sunday, August 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. for their summer Ice Cream Social.

This fund-raising event, a project of the Ephrata Cloister Associates with cooperation from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, will feature ice cream and brownie sundaes, scooped by Celebrity Dippers, including WIOV morning radio host Casey Allyn, author and journalist Larry Alexander, Ephrata mayor Ralph Mowen, and Akron mayor John McBeth.

The event is sponsored by Blue Ridge Communications, Claude’s Creamery, and the Pencor Family of Services.

Tickets are $10 for ice cream, entertainment, and entrance to the historical grounds; tickets for members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates are $5. Tickets can be purchased in the Visitor Center on the day of the event.

Guides in historical costume will be stationed in the buildings to greet visitors and interpret the history of the historic structures. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the grounds of the Cloister, visit KPETS therapy dogs, watch the Spinners and Weavers Guild in action, and enjoy live music. In addition, the event will feature a special display from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. from Patrick Miller, Wildlife and Conservation Specialist. Visitors will have the chance to meet his troupe of Pennsylvania’s native creatures, likely including a Red-tailed hawk, an Eastern screech owl, a Great Horned owl, a Red rat snake, some assorted insects, and a snapping turtle. The Museum Store, featuring candles, cards, books of historical interest, and the work of local craftspeople, will also be open for browsing and purchases at special discounts. The buildings will be open for exploration, too.

Stu Huggens, a local award-winning singer/songwriter, will perform an acoustic set of country and bluegrass music at the Ice Cream Social at Historic Ephrata Cloister from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7.

See you under the tent on Sunday, August 7!

Proceeds from the day will support educational programming at Historic Ephrata Cloister, including the Ephrata Virtual Academy and Community Days for local elementary students. The event will be held rain or shine. Please consult the Ephrata Cloister website www.ephratacloister.org for updates and information or call the Visitor Center at 717-733-6600.