The Story Behind

The Ice Cream Float

Two brothers, Jay and Jameson (left) are responsible for the creation of The Ice Cream Float.  Their mom, Jeanne, a graphic designer and owner of BonBon Crafting Parties in Wilmington, designed and created the boat for them from a pontoon boat.  The brothers grew up in Wilmington and Surf City, NC traveling the ICWW, fishing, and swimming.  From childhood, Jameson wanted to create a snack and ice cream boat when he became a teenager. The first draft of the design was to call it "The Snack Shack" and design it like a tiki hut, with a whole Gilligan's Island feel. That evolved to a focus on ice cream. The goal was to make The Ice Cream Float so exciting, that it would create lifelong memories for everyone who experiences it.  An old-fashioned ice cream parlor was the inspiration for the design. An old pontoon boat was re-paneled, and all the decorations were built from scratch.  Each season, the decorations have to be revamped and sometimes, replaced.  One of the large popsicle signs on the side was lost in a storm, while at dock, and had to be re-made. One of the largest poles was also lost in a storm, and found about a year later.  The pole was too scratched up, so a new one had to be made, but the decorative styrofoam ball on top was still intact and was re-attached. Flags on the boat are the most-replaced item.  They wear out fast from all the whipping wind.  We've been through three bubble machines, two sound sytems, and two freezers, so far.  Is it fun to work The Ice Cream Float?  If you love being on a boat, it's a BLAST! Children are so excited to see us, and so are adults. It's a very joy-filled and rewarding job.  It's also pretty hard, physically.  The sun drains your energy so much that Monday is usually a day of rest.  By late August, we're pretty tired of sun and heat.  But as soon as the temperature cools a bit, it can get chilly in the damp wind, so by September, it's a bit chilly to work the boat. 

We love meeting people while cruising on The Ice Cream Float.  Introduce yourself next time you see us!

 

The Ice Cream Float cruises the Waterway on weekends, and sometimes during the week.  You can reach us by phone, text message, email, or on Facebook (see our Contact page).  "Like" our Facebook page so you can watch for special promotions and prize giveaways!!

The Ice Cream Float is available to show up for parties!  We can bring a special dessert or any packaged food or drink (no alcohol).  See our Contact page for more info.

 

Also watch our Facebook page to see photos of our customers.  You may show up there!  Hope to see you on the Waterway!