Velvet Ice Cream Factory Ye Olde Mill Ice Cream Festival, Dog Days, and more

Velvet Ice Cream Factory is a perfect day trip in the spring, summer, and fall!

Originally built in 1817, Ye Olde Mill, a former grist mill, is home to Velvet Ice Cream’s corporate offices in Utica, as well as Ohio’s only ice cream museum, ice cream parlor and restaurant. You’ll also find tons of outdoor space to spread out across and explore.

Get food or ice cream from the turn of the century ice cream parlor restaurant. There’s plenty of outdoor patio seating, and plenty of space to spread out across the property. You can even bring your own chairs to sit in the shade. Take your ice cream over to the pond to enjoy the ducks.

Kids have a blast on the playground equipment, and there are several walking trails to explore. It’s definitely worth a day trip!

Events at Ye Olde Mill

Annual Sertoma Ice Cream festival at Ye Olde Mill

May 27-29, 2023

A festival featuring Ice Cream? Sign me up! The Sertoma Ice Cream Festival is located one mile south of Utica and nine miles north of Newark, on state route 13, on the grounds of Energy Cooperative and Velvet Ice Cream Co.

Over 90 artisans from Ohio and other states exhibit their handcrafted items. Pony rides, antique tractors, a car show, motorcycle show and a magic show are just some of the many things to do and see.

Try your hand (or mouth) at one of the contests, including ice cream eating, balloon toss, egg toss, (all weekend long) and kiddie tractor pulls on Sunday.

There will be plenty of food options, including the ham and bean tent, and bratwurst stand – plus the ice cream tent! Enjoy stage entertainment through the weekend, including the Columbus Zoo, arts and crafts, and more.

Don’t miss the parade in the village of Utica on May 27. Check out the full schedule here.

Tour bus and handicapped parking is available, and you can grab the shuttle service from the parking lot to the festival entrance. Admission is $5 per car.

Doggie Days @ Ye Olde Mill

Every Thursday through October 19, 2023.

Bring your furry friends anytime during the day for a cool treat in the dog days of summer.

Each Thursday will be a different rotating promo item for your dog! They will give away bandanas, dog toys and more throughout the summer.

Feeding the Ducks 

Note: if you are going to feed ducks, bread, crackers and other junk food is not a recommended source of food for their health, and can contribute to water pollution.

Better options include corn (canned, frozen or fresh), duck pellets (sold online and at pet stores), lettuce, other greens (torn into small pieces), frozen or defrosted peas, oats (uncooked; rolled or quick), rice (plain white or brown, cooked or uncooked, whole or instant), birdseed (any type or mix), grapes (cut in half or quartered if very large), or vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped into small pieces).

The Mill is typically open from May-October.
Mon: CLOSED, Tues. – Sun.:  11am-5pm

Closed November – April

Velvet Ice Cream
11324 Mt Vernon Rd NE
Utica, OH 43080-7703
website | Facebook

Yearly (past) events at Velvet Ice Cream

events will be updated as details are confirmed

Velvet Ice Cream is celebrating National Ice Cream Month at Ye Olde Mill throughout the month of July with several special activities

Licking County Restaurant Week 

Friday, July 15 – Friday, July 22
In conjunction with Explore Licking County and the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, visitors to Ye Olde Mill who purchase a lunch item receive a coupon for half off any single item ice cream purchase. Limit one per customer. Coupons valid during event.

National Ice Cream Day 

National Ice Cream Day is July 17th. On that day, Velvet will be offering visitors a BOGO scoop of ice cream on a sugar, cake, waffle cone or bowl in the parlor from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Horse & Carriage Rides will be offered around the Velvet grounds. 

4H Dog Show 

Saturday, July 23: 4H kids get a chance to show off how they handle, train and present their dogs to a group of judges at Ye Olde Mill before their big Hartford Fair competition later this summer. Event begins at 1 p.m.

Burgers, Brats and Floats at Ye Olde Mill

Join Ye Olde Mill for a #HappyHourCookout on Thursdays, July 14-August 4. Thursdays. Order one of the exciting new gourmet burgers right off the grill!

• Hawaiian Burger – Grilled Pineapple, Cheese topped with Teriyaki Sauce.
• Howdy Burger – Bacon, Onion Rings and Cheddar Cheese topped with BBQ Sauce.
• Augusta Burger – Pimento Cheese topped with Bacon Jam

They’ll also be grilling up bratwurst with choice of Sauerkraut, Peppers, Onions and a Mustard Bar. Anybody who orders from the patio menu will receive a voucher for a FREE Root Beer Float!!

Velvet Ice Cream’s Fall Into Fall

Kick off autumn with Velvet Ice Cream’s Fall Into Fall on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11 AM – 5 PM. Several different crafters will be selling their merchandise from 11am to 5pm in Velvet’s front parking lot. Find home decor items, hair accessories, desserts, candles and much more!

There will also be a fishing tournament hosted by Curtis Kustom Lures from 11am to 4pm. Three age groups (2-6, 7-12 and 13-18) will compete to catch the most fish. You can sign up at Velvet Ice Cream on the day of the event.

Fall-O-Ween at Ye Olde Mill

First ever FALL-O-WEEN at Ye Olde Mill is Sunday, October 24th from 11pm to 5pm! There will be a fishing derby and a Halloween costume contest.

Live music with Barefoot McCoy from 1pm-4pm
Costume Contest all day
Fishing Derby: Registration begins at 11 am; 3 age groups available.

Tips are donated to Breast Cancer Awareness!

Try the October features, the Bewitched Sundae and Pink Milkshakes. A portion of proceeds from Pink Milkshakes will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. 

Open from 11 am – 5 pm through October; closed Mondays.

Mother’s Day Food Truck Festival

Sunday, May 14, 2023. Bring mom out for a food truck festival featuring 8 awesome trucks!