What flavor of ice cream do you scream for? National Ice Cream Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday in July. This year’s celebration is this weekend, July 21! 

If you know me, I’m seasonal and can only truly enjoy ice cream during the summer months. I don’t care to eat apples or anything pumpkin in the winter, spring, or summer…lol. When I do eat ice cream, there are many flavors I love!

A truly flavorful vanilla or mint chocolate chip would be my top choice when discussing basic ice cream flavors. Even as a little kid, mint chocolate chip tasted so refreshing and I’m a fan of chunks in ice cream. The bigger the chunks, the better! And vanilla? It’s a classic. What’s not to love? Just like a good pair of black shoes, it goes with anything.

I remember being very young in my hometown of Canfield, Ohio when The Dairy Isle was on our Village Green. It was an iconic, old-fashioned walk-up ice cream stand. A true gem. 

The most vivid memory of that ice cream stand is driving from our house on Dartmouth Ave in my grandparents’ brown Chevy convertible. They were visiting our family from Michigan and wanted to treat us on a hot summer day. I remember the ordering counter being super high for a little kid like me. I would pull myself up to see the employees make customer orders. I’m thinking I requested vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone. 

If you’re ever near Youngstown, we have a couple of great homemade ice cream companies that are creative with original flavors other than vanilla and mint chocolate chip. Handel’s is a staple and is making its mark on the map across the county with 125 corporate and franchise stores. In 2024, National Geographic named it the #1 ice cream on the planet! My favorite? I’d have to choose Graham Central Station. It’s graham-flavored ice cream with chocolate-flavored crunchies and graham drizzle. It’s crazy good!

Cock-Eyes Creamery’s Buttermilk Pie ice cream is so dang incredible! It’s signature chef-inspired, made with fresh-baked buttermilk pies from Cockeye BBQ’s kitchen in Warren, Ohio. Oh goodness! Their business is growing and has recently opened a new manufacturing plant. They have some interesting and awesome flavors! It’s exciting to see their line of ice cream expanding. (Please come to Canfield so I can get a fresh scoop often!)

So, this Sunday, ride to your favorite ice cream establishment and indulge in your favorite or try something new. After all, National Ice Cream Day only happens once a year! Enjoy, and don’t forget extra napkins!

If anyone in Canfield has pictures of the old Dairy Isle, I would be grateful for a copy! I have been looking and asking for several years and have come up empty-handed. Not even the Historical Society has any. I was thankful they at least had this great ad, as you can see above. Please message me and thanks in advance!