Babelgum presents: Road Trippin with Ice Cream Man

Ice Cream Man is on a mission: to travel the country, eventually the world, giving away FREE ice cream.

Win a trip to BIG DAY OUT festival in Australia!

In the summer of 2004, Matt Allen was behind the wheel of a 1969 Chevrolet Step Van, roaming the streets of Ashland, Oregon in search of adventure. Armed with an endless supply of frozen treats, he was determined to become the most famous ice cream man in the world.

As that summer came to a close, Allen's mission of entertainment evolved into a greater calling. He began giving away his ice cream for free, beginning with an ice cream social for the residents of Ashland and quickly moving to his hometown of Long Beach, California to expand the simple idea of free ice cream into the phenomenon it is today.

Three years, two national tours, and over 125,000 free ice creams later, Ice Cream Man has come to represent the power of a dream. "This is about getting people to think about things a bit differently, proving that you can do anything with your life," says Allen, a veteran adventurer whose feats have included hiking from Canada to Mexico and biking across the country to raise money for breast cancer groups. "I want to give away ice cream. It’s that simple. I can't be the only one who thinks this is a good idea. Why not bring all of these like-minded people together to do great things?"

Throughout the tours, music became a main focus as Ice Cream Man and his dedicated team of over 100 volunteers called at concerts and festivals far and wide; providing frozen treats to artists and audiences, alike.

The crew began reviewing shows along the way, allowing a growing army of followers to join the ride. His growing reputation soon caught the attention of established and emerging artists; all keen to be part of the journey.

Inspired by his operation, ethos and seeing the potential in an increasingly iconic figure; Babelgum teamed up with original content producers, Dig For Fire, to document Ice Cream Man’s 2009 summer tour and thus the weekly documentary: ‘Road Trippin’ with Ice Cream Man’ was born.

Currently powering his way through the States, this years’ tour has seen Ice Cream Man call at and chime his way through SXSW, Pitchfork fest, Rothbury, All Points West, Bonnaroo and 10KLS amongst many other esteemed events and venues where he has been joined by likes of MGMT, Delta Spirit, Cold War Kids, Broken Social Scene, White Rabbits, Chairlift, Manchester Orchestra and many, many more who have stopped by to play music, have a chat or even serve ice-creams - step forward, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips!

The expedition continues next weekend at Lollapalooza where Ice Cream Man will be joined by the legendary, Ben Harper and Band of Horses; however, with a bill including TV on the Radio, Passion Pit, Perry Farrell, Bon Iver and The Killers, you never know who might stop by for a 99.

The fun doesn’t end there, following Lollapalooza, the van powers on to San Diego and San Francisco for Street Scene and Outside Lands and then tours its way into 2010 with Ice Cream Man’s constant motivation forever at heart: “Why wait to fulfill your dreams?”

Catch up with past episodes of Road Trippin with Ice Cream Man

For further information, head over to:

Ice Cream Man Official Website

If you want to make like Ice Cream Man, Babelgum are offering you the chance to fulfill your dreams with a competition that will send two lucky winners to the Big Day Out festival in Australia, next January 2010.

For terms and to enter, go to:

Ice Cream Man on Babelgum

Search for CDs, Mp3s, more: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk