National Ice Cream Day

Nothing quite says “chill out” like National Ice Cream Day on this sweltering third Sunday of July.

As part of the 1984 sweet-treat celebration, ice cream merchants offered discounts on scoops, 99-cent cones, and reduced delivery fees for those who needed dessert.

The day meant 50% off sundaes at Proper Ice Cream off Military Trail in Boca Raton: Key lime, blondie, cookie, you name it.

This Sunday, which was the most popular with visitors?

It’s a warm cookie-brownie topped with fresh whipped cream and fudge, usually priced at $14.

On this sweltering third Sunday of July, nothing says “chill out” like National Ice Cream Day.

As part of the annual celebration, which dates back to 1984, national ice cream merchants offered discounts on scoops, 99-cent cones, and reduced delivery charges.

Proper Ice Cream off Military Trail in Boca Raton offered 50% off sundaes: Key lime, blondie, cookie.

Which Sunday’s most popular attraction was the most popular?

A brownie sundae consists of a warm house-made cookie-brownie topped with your choice of ice cream scoop and fresh whipped cream. Sundaes are usually $14.

One boy ran to and from the fridge showing his mom what pints he could take home. A couple from out of town shared a cone between laughs.

A few bites into his butter pecan cup, Boca Raton resident Richard Laplant stepped out the door. His daughter Sheryl held a big cup of vanilla ice cream, almost too big for her hands, but topped with M&Ms and sprinkles.

With his wife and two daughters, Brian Zimmerman of Cooper City had just spent the afternoon at Boca Raton’s Patch Reef Park.

It was so hot, we thought ice cream would be the perfect treat.

He got a chocolate cone, his wife tried vegan cookie butter, and his daughters tried cookies and cream and cookie butter marshmallow dreams.

Butterscotch brownie, salted caramel, and guava cheesecake are some of Proper’s other indulgent flavors. The sugar-free list includes deep chocolate and vegan raspberry, and the “exotic list” includes horchata, olive oil and rosemary, and chocolate-covered honeycomb.

Sarina Adoni enjoys working at Proper because there are always new flavors to try.

“We always make things in small batches, and being able to promote the best is super-awesome.”

Proper Ice Cream’s second location on Congress Avenue in Delray Beach makes every available option on its menu in-house. In honor of the day, Adoni wore lollipop earrings to symbolize the fact that all ingredients are natural and locally sourced.

After lunch, store manager Julia Sonenson made her way over to Boca Raton’s Proper Ice Cream from Delray’s Congress Avenue location. There, people walked in immediately as doors opened at 12:30 p.m.

By 3 p.m., more than 50 customers had stopped by to celebrate National Ice Cream Day.

The best part about my job is getting people happy,” Sonenson said. “Giving them the best ice cream in town, they all get excited. They get to try our amazing flavors, no artificial colors, no artificial sugars, no fillers.”

National Ice Cream Day was declared by the Reagan Administration, which also designated July as National Ice Cream Month. According to Circana consumer consultancy, sales of ice cream increased 17% during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising by $8 billion nationwide.

According to USA Today, ice cream sales have topped $8 billion in the past 52 weeks.

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