Immigrants passing through Ellis Island in the 1920s were served ice cream as part of their introduction to American culture, so it's only fitting that the Statue of Liberty should celebrate her 125th birthday in October with her very own ice cream flavor and a 125-day campaign to celebrate her ongoing role as the most powerful symbol of freedom, hope and opportunity around the world.
The celebratory campaign and ice cream come from Lancaster County, Pa.-based Turkey Hill Dairy, maker of the nation's fourth best-selling premium ice cream brand. The campaign will include an essay contest that asks middle and high school students to answer the question, "What does liberty mean to me?" Two winners will be selected by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and Turkey Hill Dairy. Each will win a $5,000 scholarship prize.
Turkey Hill Dairy will also introduce Lady Liberty Mint Premium Ice Cream in stores across the country. Donations from sales will go to support the new Peopling of America Center at Ellis Island. The flavor features a combination of mint premium ice cream with chocolate cake crunchies and a crunchy chocolate cookie swirl.
"The Statue of Liberty is a true American icon that will be forever a part of our national landscape," said Quintin Frey, President of Turkey Hill Dairy. "It is with great pride that we are able to participate in this commemorative celebration of Lady Liberty and all she means to this Nation of Immigrants."
Free samples of the Lady Liberty sweet treat will be provided at Turkey Hill Dairy events across the country this summer.
Turkey Hill will also promote Lady Liberty's birthday through an online trivia contest and a bracket tournament to name the best immigrant movie in history. For more information about the campaign and the essay contest, visit www.turkeyhill.com/ladylibertymint. Lady Liberty Mint Premium Ice Cream is available in stores where Turkey Hill Dairy Ice Cream is sold.
Located in the rich farming country of Lancaster County, Pa., Turkey Hill Dairy produces the fourth largest-selling premium ice cream brand and the top-selling refrigerated iced tea brand in the nation. The third-generation, family-run dairy sells its products in a market that extends along the East Coast from Maine to Florida – and as far west as Oregon, Washington and Alaska. For more information about Turkey Hill, visit www.turkeyhill.com.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands. For further information on the Foundation and its projects, please visit www.ellisisland.org.
