Get the scoop

Comments (...)

Children found any place they could to sit or stand and enjoy their 25-cent ice cream scoops during the 2008 Ice Cream Social sponsored by Grundy Bank. This year's social will be held Friday, again in conjunction with Nostalgia Days and Brown Bag Friday. (Herald file photo)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Comments

Share

Food is usually a big part of any celebration in America.

In Morris, Brown Bag Friday and the annual Ice Cream Social have become a big part of the annual Nostalgia Days celebration.

Sponsored by the Grundy Bank, the event gives people in downtown Morris the chance to have lunch and dessert.

Judy Smith of Grundy Bank said the annual Ice Cream Social probably started about 25 years ago.

"I talked to some people who have worked at the bank longer than I have and they remember it began as part of the sidewalk sale. Artists use to display their paintings and art work," she said.

The art work and crafts on display were part of the Emporium Art Fair, which started in 1974, and was also sponsored by the bank.

Held on a Friday and Saturday in late May for almost 10 years, the art works were displayed outdoors in the area behind the bank building, then called the Emporium, but now referred to as the courtyard.

Judging was done on Saturday, with prizes and ribbons awarded in several categories. In 1982, the art fair had to be canceled because of storms.

Not part of the art fair, the Ice Cream Social was held in conjunction with the annual sidewalk sale.

When the Morris Downtown Development Partnership began Nostalgia Days in 1997, the Ice Cream Social was incorporated into the event.

Schwans provides the ice cream for the annual social.

"We have the truck parked here to keep the ice cream nice and cold," Smith said.

During the social, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, several of the large containers of ice cream will be served.

Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, with numerous toppings, is available for 25 cents per scoop.

Smith said the proceeds go to the bank's Caring Committee, which supports several local charities, such as Adopt a Family at Christmas and We Care of Grundy County.

Proceeds from the hot dog sales during Brown Bag Fridays also go to the bank's Caring Committee.

This is the eighth year Brown Bag Fridays have been held on the Grundy County Courthouse lawn.

In June of 2002, Grundy Bank and WJDK/WCSJ radio invited people to have their lunch on the lawn, socialize and listen to live music.

A variety of events have been held during Brown Bag Fridays over the years.

Two weeks ago, the third annual hot dog eating contest was held in front of the courthouse.

With Nostalgia Days, several food vendors will be downtown, so the bank won't be selling hot dogs this Friday.

Jerry Beier will be the featured entertainer during the lunchtime concert.





  

 

Comments