Crookston, Minn. - With Ox Cart Days right around the corner, it can only mean one thing - the University of Minnesota, Crookston will be hosting the annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social! Join us for free ice cream, music, prizes and family fun on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. near the Peterson Gazebo on the Campus Mall.

Music will be provided from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. by the Valley Fiddlers under the direction of Val Buchmeier, orchestra director at the Crookston High School. Along with the Valley Fiddlers will be a musical performance by The WoodPicks from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Members of this Bluegrass, Gospel, and Americana musical group include Greg Dally; on vocals and mandolin, Dustin "Boy" Keller; on vocals and playing the bass fiddle, Gene Lundsetter; on vocals and flat top guitar, Milo Ballingrud; on vocals and banjo, and JD Kezar; fiddle, harmonica, jaw harp and vocals.

The U of M, Crookston Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a special t-shirt on sale for $6.99 and tickets for the Minnesota State Fair will be offered at a reduced price. The Minnesota State Fair is held August 27 through September 7. Visitors can browse a wide array of books and other apparel available at the store. Free balloons will also be available at the Bookstore for children.

The campus gardens are in full bloom and displays by a number of campus departments will be available on the mall as well and prizes will be given away during the afternoon. Weather accommodations have been made to hold the ice cream social in the Northern Lights Lounge in the Sargeant Student Center.

Ox Cart Days is an annual Crookston community festival celebrating the heritage and history of the region. The theme for this year's event is "Home is Where the Heart Is." To learn more about the events taking place during Ox Cart Days, visit www.visitcrookston.com.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. Invent yourself at the University of Minnesota, Crookston - become a leader, innovate through technology and research and secure the career you want. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.