The GREAT Ice Cream Run - June 9-15, 2007

[Jerseygirl]

I had this up on the MAMA website but they seem to be undergoing some major changes so I thought I'd post this here as well...

Join us for The GREAT Ice Cream Run, a MINI event dedicated to owners who just can't get enough... you guessed it... ice cream!

The dates: 6/9/07 - 6/15/07
The place: Sanford, FL to Bar Harbor, ME

Registration is now OPEN. Deadline for registering is March 30, 2007. You can download your registration form here: The GREAT Ice Cream Run

We'll travel from Sanford, FL to Bar Harbor, ME over the course of 7 days. Along the way we'll hit as many ice cream shops as your stomach can handle, plus a few other interesting stops to be announced later. And as if that wasn't enough, how about capping off the trip with MINIs on Top! We'll arrive in Bar Harbor the day before MOT 2007 so there will be plenty of time to make the drive over to NH for Friday/Saturday's MOT festivities.

For those in the northeast, consider taking Amtrak's auto train from Lorton, VA down to Sanford, FL. The cost of the train works out to be a pretty good deal compared to the cost of hotel rooms and gas if you opted to drive down. Amtrak reservations are up to each participant. We will be working with Amtrak to get a group rate, so check the website to see the latest info.

The run will be similar to MTTS. For each leg, registered participants will receive route sheets for a quick and easy interstate highway route, as well as a more back road (and hopefully more scenic) "alternate" route. Choose the route you prefer and travel at your own pace. Go in a group or go alone. The choice is entirely yours.

And what could be better than a 7 day trek to stuff yourself full of ice cream? How about raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation too? Get your friends/family/co-workers to sponsor you on a per mile basis (or just with a flat donation amount). After the run, all the money will tallied, and divided up among the Make a Wish chapters in each of the states represented by the participants. Participation in this portion is entirely optional of course, but we hope you'll consider helping out.

Due to the size and complexity of this event, official registration is required. A fee will be charged to cover the cost of ID badges, mailing out registration packets, and a few planned surprises, etc. Event T-shirts, decals, etc. are available for ordering at the time of registration as well. All forms must be received by March 30, 2007. This deadline gives us time to get shirts ordered, route sheets printed and packets mailed out to everyone before the run.

Note: Registration for MINIs on Top is entirely separate and it is your responsibility to make sure you are registered for both events.

To stay up to date with all the latest info about ice cream shops, hotels, campgrounds, the route, the charity drive, etc., be sure to check out the event website: The GREAT Ice Cream Run

Your "Cruise Directors" for this trip are:

Jerseygirl - route planning/website admin/Amtrak contact/treasurer
Bootsi - hotel/campground coordinator/special event coordinator
Htrout13 - charity coordinator/door prize coordinator/local dealership contact

Promo video:
The GREAT Ice Cream Run

[GBMINI]

I hope it all works out so I can make it ... registration will be in the mail tomorrow

[Jerseygirl]

Wow! Ian, you may very well be the first to register.

[Jerseygirl]

I just discovered this morning that most of the emails that have been sent to the "Questions", and "Route" email addresses for this run, have been getting dumped into the junk mail folder automatically.

I just spent 45 minutes cleaning out the junk mail and responding to all the emails that got bumped in there. I think I've fixed the problem now.

If you've emailed me with questions or suggestions over the last few months, and didn't receive an email from me this morning, it means that your email must have been deleted entirely. I apologize to anyone who didn't get a response from me (or got a response 4 months after they sent their email).

I've updated the setting for these email accounts so this problem should not be repeated in the future.

On a happy note, we'll be announcing the t-shirt design shortly. I've had the graphic for a while. Just haven't had the time to post it...

[Bonnie Blue]

Hi Robyn,
How many people / Minis do you have now? We're almost psyched up!

[Jerseygirl]

We have 18 cars registered as of today and only a little over a week left until registration closes.

[Bonnie Blue]

Robyn, you can extend registration for two more weeks for those who have a hard time planning or are not sure yet if they can make it...

[Jerseygirl]

Registration closes this weekend so that we have time to pull together everything that needs to get mailed out to everyone. There are lots of "moving parts" for this run and only a few people organizing them.

[Jerseygirl]

The registrations have really been coming in the last few days. Here are some interesting bits of trivia...

1. We have 10 intrepid MINI owners (so far) who will be doing the entire run from FL to ME.
2. We have 12 people who will be continuing over to MOT after the run.
3. Florida currently holds the lead for the most cars registered (8) and also the most people doing the entire run (4).
4. 12 states are currently represented.


We also have a revised logo for the shirts...


Shirt design:

[AprilWhine]

Sounds like a great time Robyn, wish I could go. But just can't do it this year.

[GBMINI]

Lovely Tshirt design

[Jerseygirl]

For those looking to meet up with the ice cream run when we pass through your area, the list of ice cream shops on the website has now been updated to include only those shops that are included on our route. I’ve added a bunch of additional shops and removed a few that either didn’t work out with our route, or couldn’t be confirmed to still be in business.

Our evening get-together locations are also listed for those looking to come out to join us the evening we’re in your area.

[jwardell]

Wow..what an impressively huge list of ice cream spots!
I think each person should be required to weigh in at the beginning and end of the run!
Is there a special prize for eating at all the locations (and still fitting in your mini)?

[Bonnie Blue]

OMG, don't make us weigh in before and after the run! I've already requested a walking exercise every evening for those who want to shed ice cream poundage. Perhaps Robyn will post it on the website.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bonnie Blue (original)

OMG, don't make us weigh in before and after the run! I've already requested a walking exercise every evening for those who want to shed ice cream poundage. Perhaps Robyn will post it on the website.

And you'll be sitting in a car for 8 hours a day. Ha! Don't forget to have biscuits and gravy down south for breakfast too.