BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—In celebration of National Ice Cream Month, TourismOhio is inviting Ohioans to indulge in a cone, bowl, or treat at one of the more than 50 stops along the newly expanded Ohio Ice Cream Trail.
Governor DeWine expressed his enthusiasm for the trail, stating, “When Fran and I travel the state with our kids and grandkids, we will go out of our way for locally made ice cream because it’s something you simply won’t get anywhere else.”
The trail, which includes family-owned shops like Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream and nationally recognized chains, is available online and for download at Ohio.org.
Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, which oversees the TourismOhio office, said, “The Ohio Ice Cream Trail is a fun and unique way to explore the state and support our communities. The Trail truly shows that we’re the heart of it all, bringing together our state’s rich agricultural heritage, culinary culture, manufacturing innovation, and support for small businesses.”
The Ohio Ice Cream Trail first launched in 2018 with 15 stops. Responding to growing popularity, the trail was expanded this year to include 54 stops. Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream debuted on the statewide trail in 2024 and is identified as #35.
The 34 additional stops highlight the wide variety of options available to travelers wishing to indulge no matter where they are in the state. TourismOhio partnered with local and county convention and visitors bureaus to ensure all of Ohio’s geographic regions—from big cities to charming towns—were represented.
State tourism director Sarah Wickham said, “Wherever your Ohio adventure leads, a scoop of Made in Ohio ice cream is the ultimate cherry on top of an unforgettable summer. Our goal in expanding the Ohio Ice Cream Trail was to highlight the vast diversity of Ohio’s ice cream offerings. So, grab a cone and let the good times (and scoops) roll. In fact, make it two scoops – you’ve earned it!”
Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream, located in Bucyrus, Ohio, is special because it’s handcrafted, premium ice cream. Mark Pfeifer creates every small batch of ice cream himself. His regularly offers flavors like Apple Pie, Mint Chip, Buckeye, Peanut Butter, Butter Pecan, Cookie Monster, Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Sugar Free Vanilla. Mark’s also offers a wide variety of rotating flavors that are both newly created as well as seasonal. The featured “flavor of the month” for July is Peach.
Elaine Naples, Bucyrus Tourism Consultant, said, “We are absolutely thrilled that Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream is listed on the Ohio Ice Cream Trail! Visit Bucyrus and cool off with Mark’s Home Ice Cream while gazing upon the stunning Liberty Remembers mural located right next door.”
Check out the Ohio Ice Cream Trail and other Summer in Ohio adventures at Ohio.org/Summer.
Operating within the Ohio Department of Development, TourismOhio works to showcase all Ohio has to offer as a place of adventure, a place of promise, and the place for you. The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about their work at development.ohio.gov.