Historic Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., Ephrata, will open its grounds to the community on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. for its summer ice cream social. This fundraising event, a project of the Ephrata Cloister Associates in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, will feature ice cream and brownie sundaes, scooped by celebrity dippers, including WIOV morning radio host Casey Allyn, Ephrata Mayor Ralph Mowen, Akron Mayor John McBeth, Ephrata Police Chief Chris McKim, and Blue Ridge's Cindy Mellinger. The event is sponsored by Blue Ridge. The New Cloister Restaurant will provide the ice cream.

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

Guides in historical costumes will be stationed in the buildings to greet visitors and interpret the history of the 18th-century structures. The All Weather Band will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. under the tent by the Visitor Center. The band plays American music, including blues, roots, country, and more.

Visitors are encouraged to stroll the grounds of the Cloister, pet therapy dogs from Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS), and watch demonstrations by Woven Together and Friends. Information about the project to rebuild the amphitheater on the grounds will be available, and visitors may watch the video narrated by movie, TV, and Broadway star and 2024 Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at the art of Colonial printing on the reproduction printing press.

The early community of Ephrata was known for its charity, an outreach that continues today, nearly 300 years after the founding of the town. Event attendees may learn more about charity in Ephrata today and visit with representatives of local nonprofits.

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 will include Cloister-branded products, such as T-shirts, hats, and tote bags.

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