You take the time to eat it, why not learn about it?

This is the second story in a series of places to have summer fun in Plymouth County.

Did you know, that if all the wooden ice cream sticks used by Wells Blue Bunny were lined up end to end they would circle the equator three times?

We didn't until we visited the Ice Cream Capital of the WorldŽ Visitor Center right here in Le Mars, Iowa.

(Sentinel photo by Luke Widbin) Ice Cream Capital of the WorldŽ Visitor Center production theater, demonstrates in a scaled down version how ice cream, champ cones and bomb pops are made in the factory today. You can even smell the chocolate. [Click to enlarge]

Being from Plymouth County, many of us don't take the time to visit the ice cream museum located next to the ice cream parlor. So for Ice Cream Days, we, the Daily Sentinel interns, did just that.

Our tour began when we met Kathy Faber, visitor center manager, who handed us our Tour Guide and Fun Facts booklets.

The tour of the visitor center is usually a self guided tour, complete with films, an interactive computer area, and a scaled down production line showing how Blue Bunny products are made.

"The films are to be a lot of fun, but also very educational," Faber said. "Kids can have fun and they don't even realize they're learning."

As we walked into the History Room, we watched our first video about the Wells family and how Blue Bunny got its name.

Also in the History Room is a replica of the first wagon used to sell milk in Le Mars and display cases filled with vintage Blue Bunny memorabilia.

For the next part of the tour, two films play continuously in a theater, its exterior is a model of the first business office of the Wells family.

The two films "Cow to Wow" and "History of Ice Cream" explained the process of making ice cream and how the frozen dairy treat got its beginning.

After passing by "Moolinda," a large cow head that once graced a Le Mars billboard, we entered the Production Theater.

Here we learned what goes on behind the scenes at the Wells Blue Bunny factories to make the delicious treats we enjoy -- ice cream, Champ Cones, and Bomb Pops.

You can even smell the waffle cones and chocolate.

Next came the Computer Area, where families can learn more about Wells Blue Bunny or their favorite ice cream treat, or just play some games.

After learning about the Wells family tree and the "Udder Facts" about ice cream, we decided to challenge the computer to a few rounds of tic-tac-toe. Also in the Computer Area, we looked at the colorful product displays of some wonderful ice cream treats.

"We're in the process of updating some of the games," Faber said. "We also try to update the product displays regularly."

Following a brief stop at the gift shop we headed to the Ice Cream Parlor to try some of the the Blue Bunny favorites we had just been educated on -- just to make sure it was a delicious as it appeared throughout the tour.

The Ice Cream Capital of the WorldŽ Visitor Center is having a good summer, said Faber, because of lower gas prices and an increase in travel. She also thinks if the weather is not good this weekend, the museum could see even more visitors.

"We hope that during Ice Cream Days we can help people understand why we're Ice Cream Capital of the World," Faber said.

Kelsie's thoughts: Being a life long resident of Le Mars, I take for granted the fact that we have so much history here with Wells Blue Bunny. The museum was a great way to learn about Wells in a fun and educational way. I really enjoyed the visitor center and I think it's something all Le Mars residents should take the time to visit at least once. The Ice Cream Parlor was also a lot of fun and the Blue Bunny ice cream was a great way to end the tour. I was definitely craving it after all of the good smells in the mini production theater.

Luke's thoughts: I have a confession to make, and this is no disrespect to the visitor center, but I was expecting much less from the museum. I severely underestimated how cool the exhibits were. I have lived in Sioux Center for more than seven years, and during that time I've made my fair share of visits to the ice cream parlor. Every time I go in (and usually order "dirt and worms in a mud puddle"...so what if it's on the kids menu) I always think, I wonder what the ice cream museum is like? Well now I know! I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, mostly because I am a museum buff and like to learn about random things. The films were not boring at all, but the film "Cow to Wow" is definitely more geared toward children. I would have to say my favorite was watching the mini production line do its thing, while something behind us shot fresh chocolate and waffle cone scents into the air. I want to know where to get a can of that stuff for home!