Alison Barrick lives in Brandon but she spent her Saturday in Giddens Park in Southeast Seminole Heights. 

She had heard from a friend about the Ice Cream Social event organized by the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association in the park located at 5209 N 12th St., and she thought it would be a neat thing to do with her Little Sister Anna Mitchell who lives in Seffner. 

The two are not biological sisters but they met through Big Brothers Big Sisters, a non-profit organization that provides children with one-on-one adult mentoring. 

Barrick said that Seminole Heights looks and feels like a real community, something she wishes she could experience in her own neighborhood in Brandon. 

But she said there are no events such as today’s Ice Cream Social. 

Kids and adults spent the day at the park enjoying free strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream with different toppings. Hot dogs, hamburgers and potato chips were offered also.

The event featured fun activities, such as games in the fountain, face painting and drawing on the pavement. 

The event took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.