One of the sweetest events in the city is back. Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival is set for July 13, and the annual occasion (in partnership with Bassett’s Ice Cream) shuts down Filbert Street every year to offer tasty ways to cool down.
Known as one of the largest ice cream occasions in the country, the event will be in full swing on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and will feature ice cream eating contests, sweet treat specials, food demonstrations, live entertainment, and more.
In addition to Bassett’s, RTM’s Ice Cream Festival will host 10 local artisans of the dessert alongside Market vendors. Philadelphia ice cream favorites include Franklin Fountain, Milk Jawn, Scoop DeVille, Tubby Robot, Weckerly’s, Cloud Cups, Dreams Ice Cream, Hangry Bear and Siddiq’s Water Ice.
Spots from Reading Terminal Market will also be joining in on the fun and adding their own twist on the sweet treat: Beck’s Cajun Cafe will offer a brioche French toast with toasted pecan praline syrup and vanilla ice cream, El Merkury will serve up a churro ice cream sundae, Flying Monkey Bakery will make sundae cupcakes, Hunger Burger will add a peaches and cream milkshake to their menu, and Butcher’s Pantry will serve up a creation they call The Ice Cream Social Sandwich.
Other treats from the Market span cookie ice cream sandwiches from The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, chocolate and vanilla ice cream with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil from Kensington Chocolate Company, an assortment of ice cream sandwiches from The Pennsylvania General Store, assorted macarons with ube or mango ice cream from Tambayan, a Phillies-themed sundae from The Head Nut, a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich from Sparrow’s Gourmet Snacks, plus, raspberry prosecco sorbet, Moose Tracks poptarts and a vanilla cold brew affogato from Molly Malloy’s.
The Ice Cream Festival will also feature live performances, plus the Settlement Music School will also host a free children’s music workshop on-site. While there, locals can also participate in ice cream shuffle board (1 and 2 p.m.), ice cream eating contests (11:30 a.m., plus 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.) or a cone race (12:30 p.m.).
The occasion will also feature additional workshops like the History of Gelato (1:45 p.m.), Dairy vs Non-Dairy Tasting (12:15 p.m.), Keys to Succesful Flavor Pairings (12:45 p.m.) and more.
Philadelphians can find a full schedule of events, plus any new special offerings added for the Ice Cream Festival by RTM Merchants online at readingterminalmarket.org
