The Air Zoo Hosts 5th Annual Ice Cream Challenge January 17, 2026, Portage, MI!

 Photo courtesy of the Air Zoo

This Event Has Ended. 

The Air Zoo invites the community to experience science in the sweetest way possible with the return of its 5th Annual Ice Cream Challenge. This popular winter event combines creativity, chemistry, and friendly competition, all served ice cold.

On Saturday, January 17, from 11am to 3pm, teams from local businesses and organizations will go head-to-head to create original ice cream flavors, frozen instantly using liquid nitrogen. Guests can watch the science in action as each team competes for the coveted Golden Cone Trophy. Science never tasted so delicious. Returning champions Parker Aerospace will be back, facing off against seven other teams as they defend their 2025 victory.

The Ice Cream Challenge is interactive from start to finish. Guests are encouraged to sample each team’s creation and cast a vote for their favorite flavor. Every ballot helps determine which team earns bragging rights for the year.

The 2026 Ice Cream Challenge is included with regular Air Zoo admission and free for Air Zoo members, making it a fun and engaging experience for families, friends, and ice cream lovers of all ages. The Air Zoo thanks its generous sponsors for making the event possible, including Parker Aerospace, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Country Dairy, and Airgas.

Whether you are cheering on a favorite team or simply enjoying the blend of science and flavor, the Ice Cream Challenge promises a cool and memorable day at the Air Zoo.

2026 Ice Cream Challenge Teams Include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of southwest Michigan
• Charles River Laboratories
• Kalsec
• Midwest Communications
• Old National Bank
• Parker Aerospace
• Plainwell Aviation & STEM Academy
• Schupan

Event Details

What: 5th Annual Ice Cream Challenge
When: Saturday, January 17, 11am-3pm

Where:

Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center 6151 Portage Rd Portage, MI 49002

Cost:

Included with admission and free for members

This event is made possible by the generous support of Parker Aerospace, Airgas, Country Dairy, and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

To preview the flavors and learn more, visit airzoo.org/icc.

About the Air Zoo

The Air Zoo is an internationally acclaimed Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center, boasting a renowned collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 unique artifacts, displays, and exhibits showcasing history, science, and technology. The Air Zoo stands apart from similar museums and learning centers of its kind, with a keen focus on hands-on learning and engaging educational programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Air Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination perfect for the whole family with flight simulators, a theater, amusement rides, hands-on exhibits, a restoration program that specializes in WWII planes rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and a one-of-a-kind indoor, hand-painted mural that reaches 32 feet tall and 800 feet wide!