A Dubuque tradition returns to the Mathias Ham Historic Site this Independence Day with the annual Audrey Hammer 4th of July Ice Cream Social. In its 61^st year, the event takes place on July 4 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 2241 Lincoln Ave. in Dubuque.

Named for long-time Ham Site tour guide in 2022, Hammer’s legacy lives on at an event she volunteered at annually. A former teacher, Hammer had a passion for education and service to community.

Attendees will enjoy live music by The Americana Band. Capturing the essence and nostalgia of the county fair, children can enjoy a variety of games such as tin can alley, fishing, bean bag toss and more. Crafts, including sunprinting, will also take place as well throughout the day. There will be live demonstrations such as spinning, soap-making, the always-popular canon-fire and much more! Dick McGrane with SuperHits 106.1 will also be onsite for a live radio broadcast.

Due to restoration at the Mathias Ham House, traditional tours will not be available, but guests will be able to learn about the restoration of historic homes and the exciting developments that come with it.

This is a family-friendly event. Picnic foods, cakes, and ice cream will be available for purchase and free-will donations will be accepted with all proceeds supporting the Mathias Ham Historic Site. Putting the fun in fundraiser, the Historical Society is excited to announce the Dubuque Pie-oneers, an opportunity to vote for a Dubuquer to take a whipped cream pie to the face to support the event! This year’s Pie-oneers are Heather Green, Interpretation Program Manager at the Mathias Ham Historic Site and River Museum; Dubuque County Historical Society Board member, Mayor Brad Cavanagh, and Dick McGrane, the voice of SuperHits 106.1 and longtime River Museum member. Donations of any amount will count as your vote to determine who takes a small, medium, or large whipped cream pie to the face at the event! Donations will be accepted prior to the event and onsite. Votes are now accepted at rivermuseum.org/events and click on the “Audrey Hammer 4^th of July Ice Cream Social” event.

The Mathias Ham Historic Site extends a thank you to its event sponsors: Prairie Farms for the ice cream, the Americana Band, SuperHits 106.1, and TH Media.

Those who cannot attend the Ice Cream Social can visit the house during the summer by special tour request through Labor Day. The house is closed for daily tours due to restoration work on the grounds. For more information about the house or upcoming events, visit rivermusuem.org/ham/hamsite. To learn how you can support the on-going Preserver the Wonder Capital Campaign, funding restoration work at the Mathias Ham House, visit https://www.rivermuseum.org/preserve-the-wonder.