About 2 hours from Findlay is a delicious adventure. Velvet Ice Cream's headquarters is nestled on 20 acres in the Licking Valley and boasts rolling hills, forests and a picturesque pond.  Founded in 1914 by Joseph Dager, the company is family-owned and located in Utica, Ohio.  The Dager family has renovated Ye Olde Mill, originally a grist mill built in 1817, to feature a number of activities for children and adults alike. Visitors can enjoy the ice cream museum, 19th Century-style ice cream parlour, restaurant, gift shop, picnic grounds with shelters and a Buckeye tree grove.

Now in its fourth generation, the company produces more than 6 million gallons of ice cream a year and markets Velvet brand products in Ohio as well as 25 other states.

The annual Utica Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival is held at the Ye Olde Mill on the grounds of the corporate headquarters each Memorial Day Weekend and draws more than 35,000 visitors.  This year, Velvet Ice Cream kicked off the summer season with the opening of a new viewing gallery at the company's headquarters.

"More than 150,000 guests visit Ye Olde Mill each year so it was important to us that we create a new viewing gallery to make our factory tours more entertaining and really showcase our production facility," said André Dager, Ye Olde Mill and guest relations manager.  "The new viewing gallery is the culmination of more than a year of work, and we're excited to re-open our doors to show everyone how rich, smooth Velvet Ice Cream is made."

The new viewing gallery has been expanded and enhanced to make Velvet Ice Cream factory tours more accessible and entertaining. Included is an expanded viewing area, more than double the previous gallery, increased visibility of the ice cream making process and a larger viewing window to accommodate children. 

A variety of entertaining musicians, clowns, bands and dancers are scheduled to appear throughout the year for live performances on Sundays from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The popular "Build Your Own Sundae" nights will be held each Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m at the ice cream parlour.
Information:
Velvet Ice Cream factory tours are conducted daily from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. May 1 through October 31. Tours are conducted on a first come, first serve basis. Groups of more than 15 people, including school field trip students, group travelers and community organizations, should make reservations in advance by calling ahead to 800-589-5000  Visit www.velveticecream.com for more information.