Although 350 people attended the Museum of Moab’s ice cream social last year, there was plenty of ice cream to go around, thanks to Crystal Alvarez, owner of Crystal’s Cakes and Cones, who, for the past seven years has donated it for the annual community event.
This year, on Tuesday, July 24, “We’re hoping it to be equally, if not busier,” Alvarez said.
“We go through a lot of ice cream. Luckily we always have enough,” Museum of Moab Director John Foster said.
Alvarez said it’s important to her to show support for the community. Donating ice cream, utensils, her time, and the paid time of a couple of her employees, is a way to help the museum, she said. The ice cream social will take place on the lawn at the Museum of Moab, 118 E. Center St.
The event coincides with Pioneer Day, an official Utah holiday that commemorates the Mormon pioneers’ passage into the Salt Lake Valley from Emigration Canyon in 1847.
It’s also an opportunity to bring people to the museum, which recently hosted a quilt exhibit, Foster said. The museum is currently showing the paintings of two local artists, Kathy Grossman and JC Borders.
“We’re working on new exhibits that will open next year,” Foster said. “This time next year, we’ll have all new exhibits.”
Museum board members and staff will be present at the ice cream social to answer questions about the new exhibits planned, and the design of the museum’s planned remodel, Foster said.
In addition to ice cream, there will be live music performed by Alan and Valerie Brown.
The Browns have a “diverse repertoire” of songs, including “old rock and old folk,” Valerie Brown said.
Valerie plays acoustic guitar and mandolin. Her husband Alan plays both acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, harmonica and bass. The duo often perform at house concerts, parties, occasionally at The Blu Pig restaurant, and in Salt Lake City, ranging from music of Sons of the Pioneers to Pink Floyd.
The Browns used to perform a live Western show as part of the Bar-M Wranglers at the former Bar-M Chuckwagon ranch, and continue to play a variety of cowboy music at special events.
In honor of the museum’s 40th anniversary, commemorative baseball caps, custom-made with the “40th Ice Cream Social” logo, will be for sale. There’s a limited supply because only 100 caps were made. It’s a slightly different design from the 10th annual 1988 commemorative cap, Foster said.
There will also be lawn games, such as atlatl and practice steer roping, plus opportunities for kids to look at insects through a magnifying glass.
Though visiting the museum is always a good deal — it’s $5 for adults, and free for kids 17 and under — entry to the museum is free for everyone on the day of the ice cream social.
July 24 event includes games, live music, free admission all day
When: Tuesday, July 24, 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Museum of Moab, 118 E. Center St.
Cost: Free
Info: Visit moabmuseum.org/events or call 435-259-7985
“This time next year, we’ll have all new exhibits.”
