Velvet Ice Cream to Open New Viewing Gallery May 1

Ribbon Cutting and Ice Cream Social Event Kicks-Off Summer Season for Ye Olde Mill

Utica, Ohio (April 8, 2008) – Velvet Ice Cream kicks-off the summer season this year with the opening of a new viewing gallery at the company’s headquarters, Ye Olde Mill. Fans of Velvet Ice Cream and central Ohio residents are invited to join the Dager family for the gallery’s ribbon cutting and an ice cream social. Activities will begin at 2 p.m. on May 1.

“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, Velvet Ice Cream. “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.”

Viewing Gallery Features

The new viewing gallery has been expanded and enhanced to make Velvet Ice Cream factory tours more accessible and entertaining. New features include: -An expanded 1,100 square foot viewing area - more than double the square footage of the previous gallery; -Increased visibility of the ice cream production process and specialty equipment; -Larger viewing windows to accommodate children; -Group tours accommodating up to 35 guests while the previous facility could only accommodate 15 people.

Factory Tours

Velvet Ice Cream factory tours are conducted daily from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. May 1 through October 31. Tours depart from the Welcome Center at Ye Olde Mill and 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 guest relations at 1-800-589-5000. Ample parking is available for buses.

Ye Olde Mill

The Mill is nestled on 20 acres in the Licking Valley and boasts rolling hills, forests and a picturesque pond. 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.

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. The Mill is open daily beginning May 1 through October 31. Regular hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in May, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in June through August, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in October.

Utica Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival

Ye Olde Mill also plays host to the annual Utica Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival each Memorial Day weekend. The 2008 Festival will be held May 24 – 26 and will be the 34th Festival sponsored by the Utica Sertoma, LaSertoma, Serteens and Velvet Ice Cream. For more information on the Festival, please visit www.UticaOldFashionedIceCreamFestival.com.

About Velvet Ice Cream

Founded in 1914 by Joseph Dager, Velvet Ice Cream is a family owned company located in Utica, Ohio. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, the company produces more than 6 million gallons of ice cream a year and markets Velvet brand products in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. Velvet foodservice products are available in 26 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 and draws more than 35,000 visitors.