#858 Ice cream truck music is sweet

Did you have an ice cream truck cruise around your neighborhood when you were growing up? Are they still around? I do not hear them very often these days but when I do they sure do bring a smile to my face.

An ice cream truck (or ice cream van as they are called in the U.K.) is a commercial vehicle serving as a travelling retail outlet for ice cream, primarily. They usually have other cold or frozen treats like popsicles. They also often sell sodas or other cold non-alcoholic drinks. Along the sides of an ice cream truck are large sliding windows which open up and act as a serving hatch. These windows, and the side of the ice cream truck are often covered with small pictures of the available products and their associated prices.

ice cream truck

You can often see an ice cream truck parked at parks or public events, beaches, or other areas where people gather on a hot summer day. You see the ice cream truck near where children play — outside schools or cruising around in residential areas. They drive around slowly until they see some one waving them down to stop so a sale can be made.

They generally play music on external speakers to attract consumers to their trucks. This is the part that makes me smile most.

Usually the songs they play on the external speakers of the ice cream truck are some famous or recognizable tune. Some of the popular tunes are “The Mister Softee Jingle”, “Turkey in the Straw”, “Do Your Ears Hang Low?, “Pop Goes The Weasel” “The Entertainer”, “Music Box Dancer”, “Home on the Range”, “It’s a Small World”, “Super Mario Bros. theme” or “Camptown Races”. In some places in the US, ice cream trucks play the song “Ice Cream” by Andre Nickatina (which is basically just Turkey in the Straw with bass).

The chimes on early ice cream trucks were often operated by a hand driven crank so they were used sparingly. Modern chimes are always electrically operated and amplified and somehow children seem to be able to hear them from miles away.

ice cream truck girl

Regardless of the song they play, the music from an ice cream truck always makes me smile.

Are you a fan of the ice cream truck music? Did the truck come around your neighborhood? Click here to leave a comment and share your opinion and experience. Would love to hear from you.

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23 Replies to “#858 Ice cream truck music is sweet”

  1. The ice cream trucks are still going in Canada. Everytime I hear one it makes me laugh about all those times I went running after one when I was a kid. Love that ice cream truck model there. That’s great!
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  2. Hey Troy, I haven’t seen one of those iconic ice cream trucks for years but I do have fond memories of them from my childhood.

    We do have one coming around occasionally, though I haven’t heard it for awhile, but this one sells packs of ice creams and ice blocks rather than single ones. Not quite the same thing.
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  4. Ernie’s Ice Cream…

    ICE CREAM—it’s a cold, yet heart-warming illustrious wonder. In other words: it’s flat out good, and when served out of a truck, it just adds an unmatched flare to the experience.

    Unfortunately, it appears as though the ice cream truck novelty is slowly losing its swagger. They simply do not roam the streets like they used to. They will be seen at parks, beaches and ball fields, but in essence, they no longer go up and down neighborhoods, attempting to entice every kid. And as a result, the business of ice cream trucks has changed in a way. Instead of driving past houses, hoping kids will migrate towards their irresistible music; the trucks tend to go to popular places and events where they know flocks of kids will be.

    Nonetheless, there is just something incredibly comforting and inviting about a jolly tune and a truck filled with frozen desserts.

      • Ernie’s Ice Cream …

        Thanks a bunch, Troy. 🙂

        And who knows, perchance one day we may cross ways at an ice cream truck, of all places!

        But then again, I wouldn’t be all too surprised, as I’ve learned when ice cream’s involved, anything and everything can unfold.

        ERNIE

    • Yeah, it is kind of a bummer. Times change don’t they? My GF always teases me saying “If things did not change you would be reading your blog by candle light”
      We live in Las Vegas and this is the perfect place for an ice cream truck almost year round.
      Troy S. recently posted…Breasts are my kryptoniteMy Profile

      • Ernie’s Ice Cream …

        Ah yes, everything (whether we want it or not) will evolve with the times.

        I’ve actually seen a couple of modern ice cream trucks that have gotten away from the Firecrackers, the Chipwiches, the Klondike Bars, and the like. Instead of dishing up these classics, they are serving up scoop-able hard served ice cream, much like one may get at a traditional ice cream store. While these trucks don’t possess the same kid-friendliness or jolliness, they do manage to appeal to more adults, in addition to still attracting lots of kids.

        I think if we peer farther into the future, ice cream trucks will become full-blown ice cream shops on wheels. They will serve up homemade old-fashioned ice cream (mint chip, butter pecan, strawberry, etc.). Not just cups and cones, but the full product line: sundaes, malts, banana splits, you name it!

        ERNIE

  5. I really miss my childhood days. The ice cream truck will always drive through our neigbourhood and I get excited each time I hear the music. Thanks for the reminder

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