Ice cream, tractors, bouncy castles, cows, live music, food trucks, and one basketball playing dog. All of this and more can be found at the 49th annual Utica Ice Cream Festival running through Memorial Day weekend from May 24 to May 26. 

The Utica Ice Cream Festival is a community celebration sponsored by the Utica-based ice cream company Velvet Ice Cream. The festival takes place at the Ye Old Mill in Utica, originally a grist mill-turned ice cream parlor in the 1960s by Velvet Ice Cream. The first festival took place in 1974 and was originally hosted by Sertoma, a nonprofit organization that helps people with hearing loss. Velvet took it over in 2024, and has continued to bring ice cream and so much more to Utica each summer. All proceeds from the festival go toward supporting local organizations, hearing aids, scholarships for education and more. 

London Strawberry Jr Miss Queen, Aria James. The Utica Ice Cream Festival was her 26th event attended as London Strawberry Jr Miss Queen. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Olivia Danforth takes a stroll with Vaughn the horse, courtesy of Pelia Equine. Pelia Equine raised money through horse rides at the festival to fund the trailblazers 4-H club senior trip to Washington D.C. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Families pay a visit to the festival bouncy castles. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
10 month old Indigo hops on co-owner Wes Ryan’s back. Indigo was born in a rescue after her mom was rescued from a puppy mill. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Tractor driver John Curtis picks up passengers for a tractor ride around the festival. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
The band King Red & The Cadillac Band performed on the main stage from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Talented pups performed in front of the festival crowds with the Performance Dogs of Ohio, founded by brothers Robert and Wes Ryan. The Dogs, many of whom are rescued, receive training to catch frisbees mid-air, jump on their trainers backs, and dunk a basketball.

“We’re just here to have fun playing with our dogs and entertain,” co-owner Robert Ryan.
Silly dunks a basketball with help from his trainer, Ashley Wendler, during the 12:00 Performance Dogs of Ohio show. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Performers with the Cedar Valley Cloggers take a bow during their 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. performance in front of the main stage. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
Melissa Vaughn, co-owner of Rajun Cajun Grill takes orders from festival goers at their stall in the food and drink row of the festival. Credit: Maddie Luebkert
A few of the flavors offered at the Dipsville ice cream tent. Credit: Maddie Luebkert

This story was updated on Tuesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. to correct the name of the band King Red. The Reporting Project regrets the error.