BISMARCK, N.D. – Enjoy free family entertainment, children’s games, refreshments, and tours through the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site at 320 East Ave. B in Bismarck at the annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, Aug. 11. Free hot dogs and ice cream will be available.

The program begins at 12:30 p.m. as North Dakota State Troubadour Chuck Suchy sings the National Athem, followed by a welcome by the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion president Bruce Hagen and introduction of dignitaries and special guests. Suchy will perform intermittently throughout the afternoon.

At 2 p.m. Jamie Good with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture will present on the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden program. Following Good’s talk Tracie Bettenhausen with Basin Electric Power Cooperative will present on the Basin Backyard Garden. At 3:15 p.m. State Historical Society of North Dakota historic sites manager Robert Hanna will discuss agriculture and the Welk Homestead State Historic Site. All times are approximate.

Children’s activities will include a petting zoo on the east lawn of the mansion from 1 to 2 p.m.  From 1 to 3 p.m. there will be agricultural coloring pages and children can plant a seed to take home to watch it grow. Historic children’s games will be available on the east lawn for play all afternoon.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 502 N. Fourth St. Additional parking will be available at Trinity Lutheran Church and St. George’s Episcopal Church at 601 N. Fourth St.

This event is sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion.  Find a calendar of upcoming State Historical Society events at history.nd.gov/events.