CHESAPEAKE — Chesapeake United Methodist Church will celebrate July as “National Ice Cream Month” with its 11th Annual Free Ice Cream Festival from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The event features homemade ice cream in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors. Sugar free ice cream is available as well.

Free hot dogs with homemade sauce and drinks will also be at the festival. Free inflatable fun and other games will be available as well. Everyone will be invited to register for door prizes from many community business sponsors.

Special music entertainment will be brought by Howie Damron. Damron, a Lawrence County native entertainer and songwriter, is no stranger to the Tri-State. His website bio states, “From growing up in southern Ohio when he started playing a $50 guitar at the age of 8, Howie Damron has made an impact that youth as well as established entertainers follow. His self-written songs touch hearts throughout the world.”

The festival will be held “Block Party” style in the streets surrounding the church, which is at the corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street in Chesapeake. Attendees can park in nearby parking lots and use available on street parking.

Along with free food and musical entertainment, inflatables and children’s games will line the street in front of the church. Ninja the clown will also be making balloons and juggling.

The festival serves as a “Kick Off” for this year’s vacation Bible School, which features the “G-Force” theme, which begins Sunday evening from 6-8:30 p.m. each evening, with a picnic supper each evening. Families will have a chance to register their children at the festival, and can also register at the church’s Facebook page, facebook.com/chesapeakeumc. There is no cost to attend.

“The scriptures speak of God as a sower who sowes liberally, and we want to embody that,” said pastor Charles Case. “We have received freely from God, so we freely give.”