Free Ice Cream and Family Fun Coming to New Hartford This Weekend

Free ice cream? You really don't have to twist my arm...

The Friends of the New Hartford Public Library Ice Cream Social is back, bringing a couple of hours of free treats, activities, raffles and family fun to New Hartford.

Even better, it's all happening for a pretty cool reason.

Free Ice Cream Social Returns to New Hartford

The second annual Ice Cream Truck Social will take over the New Hartford Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 29. The event is free and open to the public, and yes, that includes the ice cream.

An ice cream truck will be parked on the library grounds at 2 Library Lane in New Hartford, serving up free treats to patrons and guests.

Read More: New Hartford Library Lets You Borrow Instruments for Up to a Year 

The event is happening rain or shine, so even Mother Nature isn't getting between us and free ice cream.

Plenty of Free Activities for Kids and Teens

If you're bringing the kids, there's plenty happening besides deciding which ice cream to order.

Creative Care Kids will be on hand with activities including:

• Face painting
• Dried flower bookmarks
• Scratch art bookmarks
• Sidewalk ice cream chalk art
• A library scavenger hunt

There will also be additional activities throughout the event, making this an easy way to squeeze in some end-of-summer fun before everyone is officially back in school mode.

New Hartford Library Basket Raffle Is Back

Now for the part where the adults might have just as much fun as the kids.

The Ice Cream Social Basket Raffle is back with prizes ranging from relaxing spa experiences and cozy movie nights to local dining packages. There are also baskets geared towards the kids.

Read More: Syracuse Makes List of America’s Most Beautiful College Towns

Raffle tickets are available for $10 for one sleeve or $15 for two sleeves, with 26 tickets included in each sleeve.

The winners will be drawn at the conclusion of the Ice Cream Social on August 29, and you do not need to be present to win.

A bake sale will also be held during the event.

Ice Cream Social Honors the Memory of Joshua Turner

Behind all the ice cream and family fun is a cause that means a lot to the New Hartford community.

The Friends of the New Hartford Public Library dedicate the Ice Cream Social to the Joshua Turner Fund. The Turner family established the fund after the loss of their son, Joshua, a New Hartford child, as a way to honor his memory.

Money from the fund is used to purchase books and materials and provide programming for the Children's Area of the New Hartford Public Library.

Proceeds and donations from the bake sale and basket raffle will benefit the Joshua Turner Fund, meaning grabbing a treat or taking a chance on a basket helps support programs for local kids.

An Easy End-of-Summer Family Day in Central New York

Between the free ice cream, face painting, crafts, raffle baskets and activities, this sounds like one of those easy Saturday outings parents are always looking for.

No complicated planning. No expensive admission. Just go, eat some ice cream, let the kids have fun and support a wonderful cause while you're there.

Get our free mobile app

The Friends of the New Hartford Public Library Ice Cream Social runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at the New Hartford Public Library, 2 Library Lane.

And did I mention the ice cream is free?