July Is National Ice Cream Month

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream during National Ice Cream Month.

July is National Ice Cream Month and to kick off the annual celebration, Capitol Hill in Washington threw its 30th annual Ice Cream Party on June 21. in Acworth, why not throw your own ice cream party? Your kiddies will love it and you can indulge in one of summer’s favorite pastimes.

Earlier this year, we asked you to vote on your . took the vote.

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate? Vanilla? Tell us in the comments!

Fun Facts About Ice Cream:

To get the party started, here are a few fun facts (from the International Ice Cream Association) about ice cream, the frozen treat that makes everyone smile, especially in the summertime.

• Ice cream is an $11 billion retail industry.
• America is the ice cream capital of the world, producing more than 1.5 million gallons of ice cream per year.
• Each American consumes around 22 quarts of ice cream a year.
• Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the U.S., pulling in 20 to 29 percent of all ice cream sales.
• Chocolate comes in a distant second, with about nine to 10 percent of the market.
• Children ages two to 12 and adults over 45 eat the most ice cream per person.
• One out of every five ice cream eaters admit to binging in the middle of the night.
• Men binge more in the middle of the night than women.
• One out of every five ice cream eaters shares their frozen treat with their dog or cat.
• Premium ice cream is the most popular with consumers, but it has a higher fat content than regular ice cream.
• Ice cream sandwiches and fudge sticks are the most popular ice cream novelties.
• Pecans are the most popular nut and strawberries are the most popular fruit added to ice cream.
• Frozen yogurt is resurging in popularity, as is no-sugar-added ice cream.
• About 9 percent of all the milk produced in the United States is used to produce ice cream.

The History of National Ice Cream Month:

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The International Ice Cream Association encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate each July as National Ice Cream Month. In 2012, National Ice Cream Day will be Sunday, July 15.

Ice Cream Recipes:

Ice cream is a science, especially if you try to make it yourself instead of buying it in a carton. The website ice-cream-recipes.com takes some of the guesswork out of making your own ice cream and offers dozens of recipes. If you’re ready to try something new, this website offers recipes for blueberry ice cream, white wine sorbet, fresh coffee ice cream, creamy orange ice cream, green tea ice cream, apple and blackberry sorbet and more. You’ll also find great videos about ice cream, tips on buying an ice cream maker, recipes for sensational sundaes, and even directions on how to make fried ice cream. Be sure to check it out.