The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

Over this past summer, I was made aware of something called  "The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck" (BGICT).  What the heck is BGICT you ask?  BGICT is...well...it's your basic ice cream truck like you would see on any street corner in the summer time - only this one is run by Doug Quint, who is a bassoonist when he isn't selling icecream.  What sets BGICT apart from other ice cream trucks is that Doug comes up with all kinds of fun and unusual toppings for his ice cream like sea salt and vinegar, saba and blueberries, ginger syrup, etc...and, of course, the most amazing thing -which I haven't been lucky enough to get my hands on yet - the Choinkwich!  An ice cream sandwich topped with CARAMELIZED BACON...how can you possibly say no to that?

Doug will occasionally run a contest for free ice cream, and it was one of those contests that made me aware of BGICT and got me down to Union Square.  My friend Sierra Rein (A Californian Hippie in New York) sent me a message saying that Doug was running a contest - the first person to get down to the truck and sing Glitter and be Gay from beginning to end would get free ice cream.  Who am I to say no to free ice cream?  So, I called a couple friends to go with me, packed up my iPod and speakers, and off we went to sing Glitter and be Gay on the corner of 17th and Union Square!  Wouldn't you know, Doug's partner was also there, and pulled out his iPhone to video tape...be kind!  It was hot...I had no idea this would be preserved for posterity, and I am NOT dressed appropriately... :^P

Now, obviously, this was great fun, and I got my free ice cream.  Sadly, although I planned for it several times, I never made it back to the BGICT this summer.  Very disappointing, because I never got my choinkwich. :^P 

About a month ago, I got an email from Doug asking if I would be interested in working on the truck this summer.  Seriously?  I was thrilled!  I'd been following Doug on Twitter (@biggayicecream) and on his blog (The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck).  This sounds like too fun an opportunity to pass up!  Also, since I generally pay my bills working for a catering company, work can be pretty dead between July 4th and mid Sept, so, I was looking for something to fill in a bit.  What could possibly be more fun than selling ice cream and singing a little opera here and there as I do?

I am now in the midst of taking the food service training to get my vendor's license so I can work on the truck....this part is not fun....but, at least I can do it from my computer and just stay in my pj's. :^P  Much nicer than trekking down to the Wall Street area for a two day class....

I am really looking forward to the summer....to spending time on an ice cream truck...hanging out by Union Square...watching all the interesting New York characters go by....serving ice cream...and throwing in an aria or two.  If you are looking to cool off with ice cream this summer, come see us at the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck!