Austin Ice Cream Festival: August 13, 2011

If you could choose any way to spend this Saturday, how would you spend it? Running errands and getting work done around the house or piling family, friends, and even the pooch into the car for a full day of ice cream celebrations? It's an easy answer, particularly for Austin denizens.

The 5th annual Austin Ice Cream Festival is back for one day only — Saturday, August 13th. Hit Waterloo Park from 10 a.m. for kid-friendly activities, contests, live entertainment, and, of course, the whimsically decorated Austin Ice Cream Festival Truck.

Entering one of the contests at this year's festival will mean proving your skills in the homemade ice cream, popsicle stick sculpture, ice cream screaming, or ice cream eating fields. And while the whole family will love the live music, multiple bounce houses, and the chance to meet the Ice Cream Queen, it's the free ice cream (and subsequent sugar high) that'll keep you smiling till the festival's 7 p.m. end.

P.S. — Joey Chestnut attended the Ice Cream Eating Contest at last year's festival so be warned — the competition may be stiff.

(Photo: Flickr/daiwilliamsuk)