By Theresa Armstrong

Reporter

tdunn@gcnewsgazette.com

Despite the rain that threatened to dampen the 17th annual Walker Chiropractic Ice Cream thousands attended the event and enjoyed the fireworks display.

The Hawaiian Luau theme was felt this year on July11 and 12 with the grass skirts and a ‘Redneck Luau pig roasting” right on the property as festival events got underway.

“We were definitely pleased with the turnout,” said Mark Buckles, President and CEO of Heritage Media Of Kentucky, the company that owns the Ice Cream Festival. “Things seemed to get started earlier this year with people staying closer to home because of gas prices.”

Walker Chiropractic was the title sponsor for the seventh consecutive year, with K105 radio station promoting Ice Cream Festival and Windstream's "Green Truck Tour" promoting the fireworks display.

“This was our first year with Windstream and the little green truck was a big hit with the kids,” said Buckles. “They kind of saved the festival this year when they wanted to make the Ice Cream Festival one of its 90 stops and we hope to work with them again. It is a good partnership.”

The Leitchfield Fire Department hosted a pancake breakfast that began at 5 am on Saturday morning. All proceeds from the breakfast will go to the WHAS Crusade for Children.

The festival began in the square as an ice cream social about 17 years ago and after the fourth or fifth year was moved to the Grayson County Middle School to allow for the fireworks and Summer Splash to be included in the event.

The fireworks display began around 8:30 p.m. as the rain threatened to dampen the spirit of the fireworks.

“We started the fireworks display earlier this year because of the rain,” added Buckles.

With the Elizabethtown resident Brittnay Beachum was crowned Miss Ice Cream Festival and Sydney Clark of Caneyville was awarded the title Miss Teen Ice Cream Festival

The Cougar Tennis Tournament was held during the festival.