LUDINGTON, Mich. - As one of Michigan's original, continuously-operating ice cream makers and parlors - and Michigan's largest ice cream manufacturer under one roof - Ludington-based House of Flavors celebrates 65 years of churning out ice cream and smiles with a summer of festivities that gives a nod to the company's roots while celebrating its growth into the future.
The privately-held, family-run operation kicks off anniversary activities starting with a "Back to the Fifties" Festival June 7 - 9 of retro-themed events that hearken to the ice cream parlor's earlier days.
"House of Flavors is something incredibly special - it's not every day that you can go to an ice cream parlor run by the same family as when it opened its doors," said Bob Neal, Jr., House of Flavors chairman of the board and son of the late founder, Bob Neal, Sr. "In a day when most businesses like ours have been bought out, gone public or merged with others, we are proud not only to be independent, but to be one of Michigan's longest-running ice cream companies on the same site."
House of Flavors is celebrating not only its past, but its success as the state's largest ice cream manufacturer under one roof, producing 24 million gallons annually in almost 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space. But more than Michiganders enjoy the company's sweet treats - House of Flavors also is Michigan's biggest private-label ice cream manufacturer, producing 3,400 ice cream recipes (including 400 kinds of vanilla) for customers that span the globe.
"We are privileged and honored to manufacture and serve ice cream to the generations of ice cream lovers who have visited us in Ludington and Manistee as well as those nationally who enjoy our ice cream under other labels," said Barry Neal, general manager.
One of House of Flavors' more famous contributions to ice cream lore is Blue Moon - the distinctly bright blue ice cream flavor unique to the Midwest that continues to be a mystery as to its ingredients and origin. House of Flavors has been making this signature flavor not only since its 1948 beginnings but since the mid-1930's when the company was previously called Park Dairy. The flavor is so iconic for House of Flavors that it created a "Mr. Moonie" Blue Moon ice cream cone mascot in 1996.
"You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who made Blue Moon before we did," said Neal Jr. "I'll go on the record as saying we are the first ice cream company to make Blue Moon ice cream."
"Back to the Fifties" Anniversary Celebration
The anniversary kick-off celebration takes place June 7 - 9 with House of Flavors "Back to the Fifties" Festival in downtown Ludington. (Visit www.downtownludington.org/back-to-the-fiftiesfor details.) Festivities include:
Friday, June 7
Theme: Varsity Sweater/"Grease"
Location: Loomis Street between James and Rath (street closes at 5 p.m.)
6 - 8 p.m.: Ice cream social, with free pints of ice cream for the first 10,000 people
5 - 9 p.m.: Fifties sock hop (themed dress encouraged) with live band, plus food and beverages
Saturday, June 8
Theme: Beach Party
Location: Stearns Beach Park unless otherwise noted
12 - 5 p.m.: '50s "Beach Bash" with beach volleyball; beach bingo; sandcastle-building, hula-hoop
and limbo contests; music and entertainment
11 a.m.: Mr. Moonie (House of Flavors mascot) Birthday Party featuring '50s-era games, coloring contest and free ice cream cones, Sandcastles Children's Museum, 129 E. Ludington Ave.
6 - 10 p.m.: Beach party (including best-dressed '50s couple) with live band playing retro beach
music, beverage and food tent
- more -
8 - 11 p.m. "Cruise into Yesteryear" S.S. Badger sunset cruise from Ludington to Little Sable Point Lighthouse in Mears. The $49 ticket includes dinner buffet of '50s-themed foods and costume contest. Contact info@ssbadger.com or 800-841-4243 for reservations.
Sunday, June 9
Theme: Rockabilly
Location: Multiple (see below)
10 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Classic cars on display by Ludington residents, Filer Street between Rath and Robert
10 a.m.-1 p.m.: "Back to the Bricks" car club from Flint, Mich., showcasing 100+ classic cars in
West Shore Bank parking lot (201 W Loomis St.) as stop along cross-state cruise
1 - 4 p.m. "Delilah DeWylde & the Lost Boys" live rockabilly concert at Waterfront Park
Amphitheater, 1122 S. William St.
Other Anniversary Events
House of Flavors will feature other events to commemorate its 65 years, which also can be found on its Facebook page, facebook.com/houseofflavors. While additional events may be added throughout the year, confirmed events include:
• Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber Business Breakfast - Weds., June 5, 7:30 - 9 a.m. at Ludington's House of Flavors, 402 W. Ludington Ave. Call 231-845-0324 for more information.
• Birthday cupcake & ice cream with candle featured as limited-time menu item at House of Flavors in Ludington and Manistee throughout 2013.
• "Happy Birthday" sung to Mr. Moonie mascot at 1p.m. and 8 p.m., House of Flavors Ludington and Manistee - daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
• House of Flavors employees in 65th commemorative bowling shirts (65th tee-shirts available for purchase at Ludington and Manistee House of Flavors locations) - June 7 through 2013.
About House of Flavors
Founded in 1948, privately-held, Ludington-based House of Flavors is Michigan's largest ice cream manufacturer under one roof, producing 24 million gallons annually. One of Michigan's original, continuously-operating ice cream makers, the company's history of making ice cream predates the House of Flavors nameplate to when it was Park Dairy - and before that, Miller Dairy since 1935. In addition to making ice cream for House of Flavors' iconic ice cream parlors in Ludington and Manistee, Michigan, the company produces 3,400 recipes of private-label ice cream for its customers nationally - making it Michigan's biggest private-label ice cream manufacturer. Visit houseofflavors.com or facebook.com/houseofflavors for more information.
Courtesy: House of Flavors
