At Farm Collector, we are dedicated to the preservation of antique farm equipment and all things pertaining to antique farm equipment, which, by clear and obvious extension, includes ice cream. What, after all, would a tractor show be without at least one ice cream stand?
Typically held in warm weather, tractor shows and ice cream go together like hot fudge and a scoop of vanilla. While it cannot be denied that an unsupervised errand to a far corner of the showgrounds has been known to offer the opportunity to enjoy a simple pleasure safe from disapproving looks, that does not diminish the essential wholesomeness of ice cream. In fact, one may even experience a certain sense of kinship and camaraderie with others on similar missions (or at least it often appears that way).
It is surely no coincidence that National Ice Cream Month is observed in the month of July, when a truly committed consumer could take in a different tractor show (and ice cream) every weekend of the month. If your calendar is already full, at least make note of National Ice Cream Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July (July 17 this year).
In that the U.S. leads literally every nation in the world in ice cream consumption, it would seem almost unpatriotic to fail to do one’s duty that day. The average American is said to consume 45 pints (nearly 6 gallons) of ice cream annually, to the tune of $6 billion in 2019. In the interest of maintaining our place at the top, it is incumbent upon each of us to do our civic duty on July 17!
Friends, this is serious business. National Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day were established by presidential proclamation. I’m no constitutional scholar, but I’m pretty sure these events are practically enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. What else could our founding fathers have had in mind when citing the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness but chocolate, vanilla and strawberry? This summer, whether you prefer a cup or a cone, do your part!
Leslie C. McManus
