The first Septemberfest Ice Cream Social and Contest was in 1996 when the Rangely Outdoor Museum opened at the new location behind the East End Park off Kennedy Drive. The main members associated with starting the social were Don Peach, Maxine Fullbright and Vicki Claybaugh.
Contestants are encouraged to bring at least one gallon of their favorite homemade ice cream recipe—created without mixes, prepackaged or artificial flavors, and using only fresh ingredients—to the museum at 200 Kennedy Dr. by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. On average, five to 10 entries are received each year.
Judging takes place on Saturday, and entries are scored based on flavor (weak, just right, or strong); freshness of ingredients, consistency and overall taste.
The top prize is $125, second prize is $75, and third prize is $50. Past prizewinners have included lemon cheesecake, lemon and orange, peanut butter with chocolate, and root beer, among others.
“I think the most popular entry is peach, and the strangest was a licorice flavor,” said Rangely Outdoor Museum director Brenda Hopson.
Prizes are awarded on Sunday during the ice cream social, when free ice cream and lemonade are served to attendees by the contestants amid live entertainment. This year’s social begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 at the East End Park in front of the museum.
For more information, call the Rangely Outdoor Museum at 970-675-2612.
