Velvet Ice Cream's Ye Olde Mill Opens April 11; Mill Guests to Predict Presidential Election by Sundae Poll

Utica, OH, March 12, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Due to popular demand, Velvet Ice Cream will open the doors to its Ye Olde Mill factory to travelers April 11 for the 2016 season—the earliest date in the Utica, Ohio-based ice cream maker's 102-year history. Beginning opening day and running through Oct. 31, guests will have an early opportunity to cast their ballot in this year's presidential race. Ye Olde Mill will be scooping up sundaes devoted to both major political parties’ candidates. Ice cream lovers become political pundits and vote by ordering an Election Sundae, choosing either the Blueberry Donkey Sundae (D) or the Elephant Ear Sundae (R) for $5.59.

The Elephant Ear Sundae features two generous scoops of Velvet Ice Cream's newest flavor, Elephant Ear Ice Cream (inspired by the state fair favorites; traditional recipe vanilla churned with rich caramel sauce and crispy bits of fried, cinnamon-coated elephant ear), topped with creamy caramel, fresh whipped cream and a red white chocolate elephant.

The Blueberry Donkey Sundae has two scoops of Velvet's Blueberry Cheesecake Ice cream (created just for election season; cheesecake ice cream dotted with chunks of actual cheesecake and swirled with blueberry compote), smothered in blueberry topping and topped with sweet, whipped cream and a blue white chocolate donkey.

"The old adage 'As Ohio goes, so goes the nation' is grounded in the state's history as a political bellwether," said Velvet Ice Cream Vice President Joanne Dager. "We're excited to see if our guests can indeed predict our next president through our version of the straw poll -- a Sundae poll -- at Velvet Ice Cream's Ye Olde Mill."

Travelers to Velvet's Ye Olde Mill will enjoy the following:
· Free Velvet Ice Cream factory tours
· Watching ice cream being made in the viewing gallery
· Free play on the Ye Olde Mill playground
· Three shelter houses for picnics and family gatherings
· A Historic 1817 grist mill with water wheel
· A real 19th century-style ice cream parlor
· Interactive Ice Cream and Milling Museums
· Fishing and feeding the family of ducks at two catch-and-release fish ponds
· Nature Trail
· Complimentary Wi-Fi

All throughout the season, visitors can enjoy family-friendly events, such as: live music and entertainment on weekends and holidays; Mother’s and Father’s Day specials; deals during July, which is National Ice Cream Month and more. Named by Frommer's as one of America’s 10 Best Ice Cream Factory Tours, Velvet Ice Cream's Ye Olde Mill is open in April, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; May and Sept., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; June-Aug., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and in Oct., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Mill welcomes 150,000 visitors each year for tours, tastings, events and live entertainment on weekends. The annual Ice Cream Festival (Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, 2016), group tour experiences and school learning field trips are among the many draws to Ye Olde Mill.

2016 marks 102 years of business for Velvet Ice Cream. Founded in 1914 by Joseph Dager, four generations of Dagers have since run the company, which is located in Utica, Ohio on 25 acres of the perfect combination of wooded countryside and rolling, pastoral farmland. Still family-owned and operated, Velvet produces and distributes more than five million gallons of ice cream every year from its headquarters on the grounds of Ye Olde Mill. Ye Olde Mill also houses an ice cream and milling museum, a restaurant, playground, picnic area and catch-and-release fish pond. Complete information about Velvet Ice Cream and Ye Olde Mill is available www.VelvetIceCream.com.