Hilmar Cheese Company is offering several summertime activities for kids and families to enjoy as they mark Dairy Month in June and National Ice Cream Month in July.

The Summer Ice Cream Making Activity and tour is fun for all ages and is offered at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday for $3 per person. Space is limited, reserve a spot online by booking at https://www.hilmarcheese.com/visitor_center/tour/. Participants receive a Hilmar Cheese activity booklet, a Hilmar Cheese pencil, hairnet, and an ear tag. The tour includes a cheesy MOOvie, and then “shake, rattle and roll” special jars to make and eat your own ice cream. After, participants can explore the hands-on exhibits and watch the cheesemakers package the “big cheese,” a 640-pound block of cheese. Summer ice cream making is now through Aug. 25. For summer programs, summer school or for groups of more than 10 call to arrange special time.

Hilmar Cheese also offers free samples, including squeakers. Squeakers are fresh cheese curds. The flavors change daily. Other Hilmar Cheeses are also available to sample. The famous Brown Cow chocolate milk shake is also a summer favorite.

The gift shop is fully stocked with Hilmar Cheese signature cheeses, California farmstead cheeses and cheeses from all over the world. The visitor center has everything needed to make a charcuterie board with a wide selection of crackers, olives, salami, jams, and nuts. The Visitor Center also has a variety of gift options available from hats, stuffed animals, candles, dish towels, home décor and more.

“The best grilled cheese sandwiches are, of course, at a cheese creamery,” said Hilmar Cheese spokesperson Denise Skidmore. “The menu features summer salads, a variety of sandwiches and delicious desserts. The Visitor Center is famous for their cream cheese brownie and cheese pies - better than cheesecake.”

Special summer events include celebrating July Ice Cream Month with photos with Daisy on July 19 from noon to 2 p.m.  Daisy is the Hilmar Cheese mascot.

Back to school photos with Daisy on Aug. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a free pencil for every student.

Follow Hilmar Cheese Company on Facebook and Instagram for other specials. Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday 7 am – 6 pm, Saturdays from 1 0am – 2 pm and closed on Sunday. For more information, call 209-656-1196 or visit www.hilmarcheese.com