East Lansing will travel back in time Friday to celebrate a Michigan tradition.
The East Lansing Historical Society will kick off the first of four East Lansing Cream Ale Parties from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday on M.A.C. Avenue, between Albert and Grand River avenues.
A cream ale, also know as a Boston Cooler, is a Vernors and ice cream float that was made popular in Detroit.
The Cream Ale Party is being held in conjunction with the Live at Ann Street Plaza concert series.
The party is being held in honor of an old Vernors advertisement on the side of the Curious Book Shop building, 307 E. Grand River Ave. The advertisement was painted in the mid-1950s and features a winking Spartan gnome and the words “Drink Vernor’s Ginger Ale.”
The sign was uncovered after the demolition of the Byrnes Building, previously on the corner of M.A.C. and Grand River avenues.
The advertisement will be covered up again with the City Center Project, a $30 million revitalization to the downtown.
“It’s just an excuse to have a cream ale party,” said Ron Springer, East Lansing’s community development analyst and historic preservation officer. “And to look at something that has been there for a while and is going to be covered up, and enjoy it.”
“Boogie” Bob Baldori will be playing from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Ann Street Plaza.
Vernors was invented by Detroit pharmacist James Vernor in 1866. Vernor left a concoction in an oak barrel when he joined the Union Army in 1862. When he returned from the Civil War, he found the mixture had become a tangy drink, which became widely popular.
Melting Moments Homemade Ice Creams, 313 E. Grand River Ave., and Kilwins Chocolates and Ice Cream, 403 E. Grand River Ave., will be part of the event by making and distributing the free cream ale floats.
“We all thought the sign was great,” said Katie Brandstatter, retail manager for Melting Moments. “We just thought it would be something to do for the community.”
Cadbury Beverages Inc., the Texas-based maker of Vernors, donated the Vernors needed for the event as well as T-shirts and small trinkets.
“This is almost like a historical landmark,” said Nevin Grinnell, director of marketing with Dr. Pepper/Cadbury Schweppes. “It brings back the spirit of Vernors and plays in with the sign.”
Springer said the advertisement is an important part of East Lansing, as well as Michigan, history.
“A building came down and there it was, we didn’t even have to dig,” he said. “It is like living archaeology right in front of your eyes - urban archaeology.”
The three other Cream Ale Parties will be held this Saturday, June 29 and June 30.
