Get ready to Float Into Fall with the perfect blend of seasonal delight and icy refreshment!

Good for a “come and go” event.
Could be done any late afternoon weekday or at night.
This could be set up in the office, in front of office, by the mail center, etc.
Allow for an hour to set up. Make sure you have ice and storage to keep ice cream cold until event time, and prepare drinks ahead of time.
Pro Tip: Include the recipes/types of floats you will be serving in your promotion. Some residents may not be familiar with ice cream floats.

Note: Many of our coordinators also do a summer version of this event, called Floats and Floaties. They serve ice cream floats by the pool and buy floaties for residents to enjoy.

THE DETAILS

Decorations

Set up your event in a way that residents can grab their ice cream, move to the drinks, and then the toppings.
After they make their float, have a decorated setup where they can take a picture of their float and a sign instructing them to use a specific hashtag or tag the community!
Slogan ideas used for decor/tags:
- Leaves are Falling, Floats are Calling
- Crisp Air, Sweet Treats: It's Fall Float Time
- From Harvest to Happiness: Fall-inspired Floats Await!
- Fall for Flavor: Ice Cream Floats Done Right
Tablecloth/table runners
Stands: circled tiered, acrylic rectangle, variety, Wooden cupcake stand
Signage: small table signs, chalkboard
Set out a framed QR code encouraging residents to post online reviews about your event.
Use these cute maple leaf cocktail picks to go in your toppings or just as additional decor in the float.
Try to coordinate your patterns. For example: match the ribbon to your table runner or backdrop/banner.

TASTE

Ice cream (see our favorite ice cream float combinations for ideas). You can offer sorbet for a dairy-free option.
- Ice cream scoops
- Long clear plastic spoons
- 50 Pack 12oz Plastic Cups with Dome
- Napkins (coordinate pattern to your event decorations)
- Large straws (Search for “smoothie straws” or “bubble tea straws.”
Drinks (see our favorite ice cream float combinations for ideas)
- You can also offer flavored water.
Toppings - Be sure to have syrups (caramel, chocolate, butterscotch) and other toppings like chopped nuts, marshmallows, or chocolate chips.

Serving Pro-Tip from Coordinator Sandy Bantz in Florida:

We had one person scooping vanilla ice cream into tall clear plastic cups and asking which flavor they wanted. Another person poured the soda in and added canned whipped cream on top. This minimized the mess from people pouring soda in too quickly and having it over the edge, plus some people weren't familiar with using canned whipped cream. The residents could then add toppings themselves. We offered thick straws at the very end of the line.

More pro-tips for serving ice cream: purchase ice cream in “buckets” if possible to save money (Wal-Mart, Sams/Costco offer these). Keep on ice. Keep a bowl of warm water to rinse off your ice cream scoop - the warm water will help it slide into the ice cream more easily.

Ice Cream Float Combinations:

The Giggling Grape: Vanilla ice cream, grape juice or soda, grapes
The Creamsicle: Vanilla ice cream, orange soda, orange slices
The Cherry Bomb: Vanilla or cherry ice cream, cherry soda, cherries
The Islander: Vanilla or coconut ice cream, pineapple soda or juice, pineapple slices
The Mint Mashup: Chocolate chip mint ice cream, cola, chocolate syrup
The Red Head: Vanilla ice cream, cream soda, whipped cream
The Sassy Strawberry: Strawberry ice cream, seltzer water, strawberry syrup
The Doctor Is In: Vanilla Ice Cream, Dr. Pepper soda, whipped cream
The Pink Lemonade Float: Vanilla or lemon ice cream, pink lemonade, lemon slice
The Lime Zinger: Lime sherbet, lemon-lime soda, lime slices

(source)

Other Classics

The Original: Vanilla ice cream, Root Beer
Cherry Coke Float: Vanilla ice cream, Cherry Coke

BUDGET

Small: Wal-Mart sells large tubs of ice cream for just $6.58 (as of Spring 2024). Shop your home/friends' homes for decor and serving ware.

Medium: Elevate your event with nicer cups/straws. Have your volunteers/servers wear soda jerk costumes. Add fall flowers (dried or fresh) to your table for extra pizazz.

Large: Create a photo backdrop with hay and a custom fall balloon arch. Hire a photographer for professional photos, which you can then share with residents.

CONNECTION

Photo contest for best-looking float
- Have an area at the end of the setup with a photo opportunity so that it's easy for them to snap a pic quickly.
Set up a backdrop or photo booth with fall props.
Offer a raffle/door prize, donated by a local business.

PARTNER: VENDORS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Partner with a local bakery/grocery store for a bulk discount or ask your manager for vendor contact information to see if they would be willing to donate.