GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – In the humid dog day’s of late July, no one seems to be as popular as the local ice cream truck driver.
Adorning an ice cream cone bow tie and manning the bright yellow Thibby’s vehicle, 19-year-old Jackson Larson does it all.
Throughout the summer months, he can be found driving the truck and passing out cool treats while working this truly unique job.
“I really can’t complain, because it’s a job where I drive around and I sell ice cream,” explains Larson.
Not surprisingly, the ice cream gig is strictly seasonal for the teenager who attends UW-Madison.
But for two years now, he’s climbed into the truck and sold ice cream to the melting masses on even the hottest of days.
One common misconception, according to him, is that the ice cream driver is somehow immune to the heat.
“I want to clarify right now, the inside of an ice cream truck is hot,” he says. “It’s not cold, the freezers are cold.”
But he certainly doesn’t shy away from the heat, since after all, that’s what brings in the big crowds.
On Wednesday afternoon, the truck was booked for seven appointments, which is about double the number they would see on a typical day.
“On a week like this, I’d say [we’re] fairly busy usually from 10 in the morning until 7 at night, with appointments in between,” says Larson.
And not to break any nostalgic hearts of the ice cream truck going up and down residential streets and parking at the end of cul-de-sacs, but Larson says they simply don’t do much “cold calling” these days.
Most of their business is based on schools, companies, or events booking their services ahead of time.
Their top-seller?
“The number one adult seller is the Magnum Caramel,” he says. “It’s got vanilla, chocolate, and caramel, it’s the most popular.”
But, just like the local librarian or movie rental clerk, he has his own recommendations ready for any kid suffering from option overload.
“I like the Reese’s bar,” he explains. “I like peanut butter, I don’t know, it just has a soft spot in my heart.”
More information on Thibby’s Ice Cream and how to book them for your next event can be found here.
