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THEY ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo The crowds turned out by the thousands for the 5th annual New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival, held in Downtown Toms River |
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"Let's get the party started," said 6-year-old Jada as she approached Washington Street, Toms River, with her family last week.
Why the exclamation? Because the street was lined with ice cream stands.
"She has waited for this for weeks," said Sandy Bowman, her grandmother.
Frozen confections in eight contest flavors were sampled by more than 9,000 visitors at the 5th annual New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival, held in Downtown Toms River.
Festival goers went from one booth to the next juggling sample cups and deciding which flavor they liked most.
The event was hosted by the Toms River Business Improvement District in celebration of July as National Ice Cream month.
During the judging portion of the festival, 7-year-old Chloe, of Lakehurst, with her mom, Amy, raved over the caramel nut flavor while Bella Mia Perillo, of Toms River, could not get enough of the cherry vanilla flavor. She sat in her stroller eating spoonfuls of the frozen treat.
"She loves it," said her mom, Toni Lynn, with Anthony, 4, and husband, Robert.
"It's a great day," said family friend Suzanne, Manchester, with 5-month-old Ella. "We like the cherry vanilla, too," she said, marking their ballots.
Throughout the day-long festival, families sat on the lawn by town hall and near the library laughing, relaxing with friends and eating ice cream.
The kids found the ice cream festival an irresistible place to be, said Jennifer Pampalone, of Toms River, with 5-year-old Sarah and twins Lindsey and Madison, 2.
Four-year-old, Hannah, with her Nana Ruth, both of Toms River, along with Hailey, 3, and Caitlyn, 8, all agreed that no matter which flavor won, "We love ice cream."
First place people's choice flavor was a local brand, Applegate Farm's peanut butter fudge brownie. First place for a name brand was Baskin-Robbins, Reese's peanut butter cup.
Special judge's first place was Sweet Kate's banana walnut; second, Applegate Farm; Pauly's, s'mores flavor took third.
Paul Petrella, of Hamilton, captured a third place award in judge's and people's choice category with his homemade s'mores ice cream recipe. "It's different because he makes marshmallow ice cream first and then adds the chocolate and the graham crackers," said Jaclyn, who worked the stand. "It's all homemade."
Special Judge's first place for name brand flavor went to Friendly's nuts over caramel; second to Baskin-Robbins and third place to Maggie Moo's vanilla bean.
Local best for People's choice flavors were: Applegate Farm, Mrs. Walker's of Beachwood's Oreo flavor and Pauly's.
People's choice name brand went to Baskin- Robbins, Friendly's and Super Foodtown of Toms River's, premium cherry vanilla.
Entertainment at the event was provided by the Barbershop Quartet, an all male chorus with four-part accapella harmony, and by the Show Place Ice Cream Shop singers from Long Beach Island, a group who also perform shows at the Surflight Theater in Beach Haven.
Members of Toms River Regional High School volunteer group TEAM (Together Everyone Achieve More) kept the festival running smoothly by providing ice cream samples to the stands. For several days before the festival, TEAM members spent hours in the High School South gym where they filled the thousands of ice cream sample cups that festival goers enjoyed throughout the day.
Michael Redpath, executive director of the TRBID termed the event a success.
"It's another way for people to enjoy and see what we have to offer here in downtown Toms River."
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