Nothing says Hunter Ice Festival quite like the taste of the festival’s own creamy, cold, brand of ice cream.

It doesn’t matter how freezing it is outside, people keep lining up for it.

“It’s fun to see people come back year after year,” said Barbara Craig, Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing dean and festival volunteer. “It’s not just the kids either — it’s people of every age.”

Except in rare instances, Hunter Ice Cream is only available during downtown Niles’ popular winter festival, which runs Friday through Sunday.

That’s because Niles Main Street/DDA, which runs the festival, owns the flavor, which can be described as a rich vanilla. They decide when and where to give people a taste.

Lisa Croteau, of Niles Main Street, said they’ve ordered 150 gallons of the ice cream this year. It will be sold on Main Street by the scoop for $1 or by the quart for $10. Proceeds go back to the Hunter Ice Festival.

The history of the ice cream is almost as rich as its flavor.

The festival is named after the Hunter family, which ran an ice harvesting company in nearby Howard Township in the early 1900s. They also formed an ice cream company.

While the ice cream sold at the festival isn’t the same recipe used by the Hunter family, festival organizers had scientists from Penn State University recreate a recipe modeled after the Hunter family’s famous version.

Niles Main Street/DDA sent the recipe to Cedar Crest Creamery in Hudsonville, which used it to create this year’s batch of creamy goodness.

Festivalgoers can find volunteers selling it near Front and Main streets beginning at 5 p.m. today and the rest of the weekend.

Croteau said they sold all 150 gallons last year.

While enjoying Hunter Ice Cream, make sure to check out the other things going on at the Hunter Ice Festival:

 

Friday

• 5 to 7 p.m. — Psi Iota Xi sponsored Warming Center at 127 E. Main St. including the Psi Iota Xi Family Craft Activities

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Hunter Ice Cream Booth on Main Street

• 7 p.m. — Sponsored sculptures placed throughout downtown

 

Saturday

• 9 a.m. — Frigid 5K Run. Registration at Inertia Cycleworks, 211 E. Main St.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m — Multi-block sculptures carved throughout downtown

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Psi Iota Xi sponsored Warming Center at 127 E. Main St. including the Psi Iota Xi Family Craft Activities

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Hunter Ice Cream Booth on Main Street

• Noon to 3 p.m. —Stop by the Chemical Bank Main Office located at 407 E. Main St. to enjoy warm refreshments and sleigh rides sponsored by Chemical Bank. Ask a Chemical Bank representative at either Niles location for a coupon and time slot. Limited space available.

• Noon to 4 p.m. — Children’s Activities at south side of Riverfront Park Amphitheater

• Noon to 4 p.m. — Free children’s crafts at Pizza Transit

• Noon to 4 p.m. — Wine and Beer Tasting at Massimo’s Backside Bar

• 1 to 3 p.m. — Pregnancy Care Center of Niles 4th Annual Baby Cakes Cupcake Contest/Fundraiser at The Bell Building, 305 N. 3rd St.

• 2 to 6 p.m. Wine and beer tasting and ice pong at Massimo’s Backside Bar

• 5 p.m. — “Chillin’ Ice Bar” at Massimo’s under the tent at Front and Main Streets

• 7 p.m. — 6th Annual Hunter Ice Festival Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Morris Supper Club, 1245 S. 11th St.

• 7:30 p.m. — “Ice Fights” at Riverfront Park Amphitheater

 

Sunday

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Psi Iota Xi sponsored Warming Center at 127 E. Main St. with Psi Iota Xi Family Craft Activities

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Hunter Ice Cream Booth on Main Street

• Noon to 3 p.m. — Children’s Activities at south side of Riverfront Amphitheater

• Noon to 3 p.m. — “Chili Crawl” chili cook-off. Tickets available at the Warming Center & Hunter Ice Cream Booth

• 4 p.m. — “People’s Choice” awards for sculptures and chili cook-off at the Warming Center