We had such a great time at Main Beach last year that we are doing it again… this time with a twist. We are throwing together a massive glow party for the last hour of funk and soul music. Alien’s have taken over the fest this year, so watch our for some amazing outfits, alien-inspired menu items and freaky fun for kids of all ages!

We have gone to great lengths to make sure your parking experience is worry free. Please watch out for children and people pulling coolers.

Parking is available in four separate places:

• Park at Main Beach and along the grass areas by the baseball fields and along the fence
• Park at The Dole Mansion on the North Side Lawn (Thanks to The Dole Farmers Market for providing parking attendants)
• Park at South Elementary
• Park at the Grass Triangle (Between The Dole and Main Beach)

Don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of Ice Cream Fest with our official festival shirt! These eye-catching shirts are designed right here in McHenry County on premium soft-style Gildan shirts. They are then screen printed by non-profit Warp Corps in Woodstock, IL, with an impressive 4-color design that’s as vibrant and unique as our festival.

But what truly sets these shirts apart is the artistry behind them – they were illustrated by the talented and oh so amazin’ Julie Kukreja. The result is a shirt that’s not just comfortable and high-quality, but a wearable work of art! Priced at $25, these shirts reflect the dedication to custom craftsmanship. Hurry and secure your size today, as they’re bound to sell out fast. Wear your Ice Cream Fest shirt with pride and become part of our vibrant festival community!

We are delighted to inform you that upon your arrival, our experienced team will be there to greet you and assist you with the check-in process. Based on your ticked activities, we will get you to the ice cream eating contest or send the kids through the training course.

A contribution will be made to our charitable partner Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of McHenry County. BBBS is dedicated to helping children realize their potential and build their futures by providing strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships.

By attending our event, not only will you have a great time, but you will also contribute to these noble causes. We thank you in advance for your support and look forward to seeing you soon.

Get ready for a sweet and thrilling adventure! Join us for the ultimate ice cream eating contest, where you’ll battle it out for glory and bragging rights. Check-in starts at 4:00 pm near the main pavilion.

Grab your limited edition 2024 Ice Cream Eating Contest T-Shirt, so you can show off your love for ice cream in style. This is your chance to win your age group and see if your time wins the whole thing – do you have what it takes to be a champion?

The fastest time to eat 6 oz of Julie Ann’s Custard wins! Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of McHenry County, so you can feel good about enjoying a night of fun and supporting a great cause at the same time. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity – join us for the ultimate ice cream showdown!

Sponsored by Exemplar Financial providing additional resources for our community partners!

Join the fun at the Ice Cream Fest Ambassador Training Course and become an official Ice Cream Fest Ambassador! Complete a series of exciting tasks to earn your a commemorative pin and certificate. Each year you participate, build your ice cream cone higher with a new scoop and enjoy additional perks.

Activities Include:

• Bubble Station (reserved by Heisler’s Bootery)
• Dance-Off (reserved by Engage Dance Academy)
• Gym Training (reserved by Crystal Lake Gymnastics)
• Library Craft (reserved by Crystal Lake Public Library)
• Speed Cup Stacking and Team Cup Stacking (rubber band and strings)
• Glow Stick Necklace Making
• Coloring Paper Soda Jerk Hats
• Character Ball Game: “Help Pip and Bing Power their Ship”
• Weird Ice Cream Trivia
• Mural Photo Opportunities
• Ambassador Button Presentation
• and much more!

Bring a cooler and get ready for a delightful evening by the shore! The Crystal Lake Park District is thrilled to invite you to bring your own food and drinks and set up a cozy picnic while enjoying the sweet summer ambiance. And while you’re there, don’t forget to visit our amazing vendors who will be selling a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and mouth-watering desserts.

Picnic areas are all over the park with plenty of room for everyone. Alcohol is allowed by the Crystal Lake Park District but will not sold on premises. Keep in mind that this is a family friendly event!

At Ice Cream Fest, we’ve got you covered with a delightful array of plant-based treats! Indulge in the scrumptious Vegan Julie Ann’s, savor the special shaved ice creations by Inside Scoop, and dive into the fantastic vegan flavors. But that’s not all! No matter your dietary preferences, we’ve got something irresistibly delicious for everyone to enjoy!