Brenham Ice Cream Festival
Brenham, Texas

When: early May [check for this year's dates]

Where: The courthouse square in downtown Brenham.

Nothing captures the essence of a lazy Lone Star summer afternoon quite like a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. Proclaimed "the best ice cream in the country," festival-goers can savor the flavor of dairy delights ranging from classic vanilla to modern Moo-llenium Crunch in the small town of Brenham, the birthplace of Blue Bell ice cream, which each year celebrates the tasty treat with a day-long festival.

The turn-of-the-century architecture along Brenham's courthouse square offers a nostalgic picture postcard background as visitors browse among the arts and crafts displayed on vendor stalls and strolling musicians provide a soundtrack for the festival's activities. As mothers wipe off the tell-tale traces of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from the smiling faces of their children before they take the stage in the Little Mr. and Miss Scoop pageant, locals cheer on the participants of the ice cream-eating contest. After hours of ice-cream-themed entertainment, an evening street dance is a delightful topping to a fun-filled day.

For more information:

• visit www.downtownbrenham.com