Historic Downtown McKinney hosts its 13th annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-off July. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The competition is open to the public and pre-registration is not required. Contestants should arrive by 10 a.m. with an ice cream freezer (minimum of one gallon to enter contest, we welcome more) and pre-mixed ingredients (all dairy products must be pasteurized and no raw eggs may be used). Salt and ice will be furnished by Clyde's on the Square.

The public can begin sampling the various ice cream flavors beginning at 12 noon. A minimum of $3 will be accepted in exchange for a sample cup. All proceeds from the sampling will benefit the McKinney Education Foundation in memory of Leslie Geer.

Trophies will be awarded in nine categories: Best Vanilla; Best Chocolate; Best Fruit or Nut; Best Gourmet; Best 'You Made What?'; Best Community Partner Flavor; Best Commercial; Tasters Choice; and Overall Presentation.

Along with sampling ice cream, event goers can enjoy Historic Downtown's many specialty shops, art galleries, furniture stores, antique collections, gift shops, apparel boutiques and more than a dozen restaurants.

The Crank-off will also feature stilt walkers, clowns, jugglers, face painters, live musical performances and plenty of other family-friendly activities. Doc n' Clyde's, a museum featuring more than 300 antique ice cream freezers and ice cream memorabilia, will be open during the festival. The museum is located at Clyde's on the Square, 102 E. Louisiana St. At Clyde's, you'll also find Killis Melton himself who, when he answered the phone, said these words in just this way: "Kin ah hep ya?" Not help -- hep.