Historic Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., Ephrata, will open its grounds to the community on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. for its summer ice cream social. This fundraising event is a project of the Ephrata Cloister Associates with cooperation from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. It is sponsored by Blue Ridge.

The event will feature ice cream and brownie sundaes, scooped by celebrity dippers, including WIOV morning radio host Casey Allyn, author and journalist Larry Alexander, Ephrata Mayor Ralph Mowen, Akron Mayor John McBeth, and Blue Ridge's Cindy Mellinger. Lawn games will be available to play.

Guides in historic costume will be stationed in the buildings to greet visitors and interpret the history of the 18th-century structures. Americana folk-pop duo the Wild Hymns will perform from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. under the tent by the Visitor Center. Visitors may stroll the grounds of the Cloister, visit with Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS) therapy dogs, watch members of the Lancaster Spinners and Weavers Guild in action, and see a fleece-to-shawl demonstration from Woven Together.

Information about the project to rebuild the amphitheater on the grounds will be available, and visitors will get a sneak peek at the new promotional video narrated by movie, TV, and Broadway star Jonathan Groff. Suzanne Accardo from The Yoga Place will offer information about the yoga, grief recovery, and life coaching services offered at the studio. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at the art of Colonial printing on the reproduction printing press.

The museum store, featuring candles, cards, books of historical interest, and the works of local craftspeople, will be open for browsing and purchases at special discounts. Featured items include new Cloister-branded products, such as T-shirts, hats, and tote bags.

The ticket fee includes ice cream and admission to the property. Tickets will be discounted for members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates, and children under age 5 will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased in the Visitor Center the day of the event.

Proceeds from the event will support educational programming at Historic Ephrata Cloister, including the Student Historians and Community Days for local elementary students. The event will be held rain or shine. For more details and updates, visit http://www.ephratacloister.org or call the Visitor Center at 717-733-6600.