An ice cream social or ice cream sociable is an informal

social event In social psychology, a social event is precisely defined as a social interaction episode characterized by a singular, continuous goal or purpose. This conceptualization views a social event as an atomic unit of social interaction. For example, if ...

at which the main focus is the serving and eating of

ice cream Ice cream is a frozen dessert typically made from milk or cream that has been flavoured with a sweetener, either sugar or an alternative, and a spice, such as Chocolate, cocoa or vanilla, or with fruit, such as strawberries or peaches. Food ...

. Ice cream socials typically include multiple ice cream flavors and a variety of toppings such as

syrups In cooking, syrup (less commonly sirup; from ; , beverage, wine and ) is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but showing little tendenc ...

, whipped cream, and

sprinkles Sprinkles are small pieces of confectionery used as an often colorful cake decorating, decoration or to add Texture (food), texture to desserts such as chocolate brownie, brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts or ice cream. The tiny candies are produced ...

for guests to choose from. Such events often allow guests to assemble their own custom desserts or request specific ingredients from those serving them. The event developed in the United States in the 19th century.

History

Ice cream was traditionally served in establishments called ice cream gardens, which were popular in the 19th century when women couldn't socialize in taverns and pubs. As ice cream became more affordable in the 1800s with innovations in technology, community organizations such as schools and churches began hosting ice cream socials modeled after ice cream gardens. According to Jeffrey McQuain, the term "ice cream sociable" dates to 1873, and later terms included ice cream social and ice cream supper. The event grew to popularity in a variety of settings such as

block parties A block party or street party is a party in which many members of a single community congregate, either to observe an event of some importance or simply for mutual solidarity and enjoyment. The name comes from the form of the party, which ofte ...

. Games and music would occasionally appear. Organizations hosting ice cream socials were influenced by the opportunity to fundraise, as well as the

temperance movement The temperance movement is a social movement promoting Temperance (virtue), temperance or total abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and ...

, as ice cream socials offered a sober, "good clean fun" way to socialize. Ice cream socials during the 19th century featured limited flavors, as well as cakes or pies. Though many were sat outside in summer, emulating ice cream gardens, some were situated indoors in church or community halls. They were sometimes timed to coincide with major holidays such as the

Independence Day An independence day is an annual event memorialization, commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or Sovereign state, statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a milit ...

or local events to showcase fresh, local produce. Ice cream consumption peaked in the United States in the 1920s, and events continued after the 1930s, particularly in rural areas. Some ice cream socials are still hosted by churches and other groups, albeit with increasing rarity.

References

Social Social organisms, including human(s), live collectively in interacting populations. This interaction is considered social whether they are aware of it or not, and whether the exchange is voluntary or not. Etymology The word "social" derives fro ...

Parties {{Dessert-stub