Gallery • 2 Photos

Photo Courtesy Brent Peterson, Washington County Historical Society

A toddler eats an ice cream cone near a bonfire at the ice cream social held in 1953. The event continued into the 1980's, when it faded out like winter into springtime, until it was revived in 2009. "The first year, around 1000 people attended," an informational flyer reads.

On Jan. 16, the Washington County Historical Society will be hosting a winter ice cream social in the northern part of Lowell Park. Free ice cream and coffee will be provided by Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop.

If there is one thing that Minnesotans can all relate to, especially around January, it is the cold. By now, usually, we have had 1-2 months of good, cold weather. People are beginning to get ready for spring and the warmer temperatures that come with it. That being said, Minnesotans can also relate with weird ideas, for example, the idea of an ice cream social in freezing weather.

The event was originally started in 1950 at the St. Croix River Boom-site to get people outside during long, cold Minnesota winters. It moved to Lowell park, where it continued for several years, then it moved to Lily Lake, until it faded out in the 1980s. Then, the current Historical Society Executive Director, Brent Peterson, revived the tradition about 8 years ago, with Lowell Park as the Venue. Lowell park overlooks the St. Croix River, and is a winter wonderland during MN winters.

Peterson decided to revive the ice cream social tradition when he came across some pictures from the event. The pictures were taken at a 1953 social, and they show kids running around and having fun.

“When you see these old photos, everyone looks like they were having so much fun, despite the cold,” Peterson said.

Peterson decided to revive the tradition, with a slight twist. He encourages people to dress up in historical garb, as if they were back in the 50’s. He expects to see vintage lumberjack get-ups that people have had in their attics for decades.

“We don’t expect too many vintage swimsuits, but you just never know,” Peterson added.

Attendance at the event varies with the weather, but around 1000 people attended the first event, even though temperatures were well below freezing that day in 1950. About the same, 1200 people, attended the ice cream social last year, in 30 degree weather, just cold enough to keep the ice cream cones from melting. Weather for this year’s event is expected to be cold, just 17 degrees with a 10 mph wind, but that should not hold Minnesotans back.

“The fun part of the event is… neighbors meeting up with neighbors. It really is a community event,” Peterson said.

Attendees can play in the snow, as well as ice skate on a flooded rink in Mullberry Circle, near Mullberry Point on the St. Croix river.

Leo’s Grill and Malt shop, located in  downtown Stillwater, will provide the ice cream for the event, free of charge. They began providing the ice cream after the event was revived in 2009.

“They were going to Sam’s Club to buy [the ice cream]. I replied that Leo’s would love to help sponsor the event, and we offered to provide the ice cream free of charge,” Leo’s owner, Cory Buettner said. “The most popular flavor is probably Peppermint BonBon or Chocolate,” Buettner added.

Root beer for floats will be provided by Lift Bridge Brewery, along with hot Chocolate from Pub 112 and coffee from the Water Street Inn for drinking. There will also be a bonfire to keep warm, a skating rink on which to skate, and, if weather is favorable, the Aamodt family will have a hot air balloon to tour. Donations to the Washington County Historical Society are accepted and greatly appreciated, and all proceeds go directly to the Historical Society.