The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) hosted more than 1,000 members of Congress and congressional staff at its 40th Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party.

IDFA staff and leaders from U.S. ice cream makers served more than 950 gallons of ice cream, 1,200 ice cream novelties, and 32 ice cream cakes during the event, which was held in Union Square Park in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

“IDFA’s Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party is our way of showing appreciation to the public servants, members of Congress and all the individuals working in Congress and within our federal agencies,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO. “We are so pleased to have welcomed our largest crowd for this event in recent years. Ice cream is as bipartisan as you can get. And the ice cream party is an opportunity for us to all come together, share a few laughs, and enjoy America’s most popular frozen treat—ice cream!”

The 40th Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party showcased the ice cream industry’s most popular flavors, including America’s favorite, vanilla, classic and regional favorites like Butter Pecan and Black Cherry, and award-winning prototype flavors like Insta Graham. The event annually celebrates the ice cream industry’s economic and social benefits for communities across the United States. Because IDFA and the U.S. dairy industry are committed to a more sustainable future, ice cream provided at the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party is served in compostable cups, spoons and napkins.

The 40th Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party was made possible by the generous product and services donations from these IDFA member companies: Americold Logistics, LLC; Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.; Gifford’s Dairy Inc.; Graeter’s Ice Cream Company; Hershey Creamery Company; HP Hood LLC; The Ice Cream Club, Inc.; Mars; Perry’s Ice Cream Company, Inc.; Pierre’s Ice Cream Company; Rich Products Corporation; Stanpac Inc.; Tillamook County Creamery Association; Turkey Hill Dairy, Inc.; and Wells Enterprises, Inc.