Cold Stone Creamery is asking ice cream lovers to unleash their creativity and passion for the creamy treat with the Gold Cone Contest. With the spotlight on a new line of flavors known as the Gold Cone Collection, the company will launch its first ever Facebook contest on June 30.

Fans of the official Cold Stone Creamery page on Facebook are being asked to share their comments on three new Gold Cone flavors. Ultimately, the grand prize winner will create an original ice cream flavor to be debuted in all Cold Stone stores nationwide in 2011.

The three new summer Gold Cone ice cream flavors are each fresh and fruity: Key Lime, Harvest Peach, and Blueberry. The three contestants with the most original, creative comments will be flown to Cold Stone Creamery’s headquarters and compete in an ice cream flavor development competition. The winning flavor will be featured in stores nationwide in 2011.

“The idea for the contest is simple and has unlimited potential, if you already have a creative spirit and deep infatuation with Cold Stone’s ice cream,” says Anne Christenson, director of social marketing of Kahala, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. “Share with us on Facebook your thoughts about one of three new Gold Cone ice cream flavors and let your personality shine. We encourage originality, enthusiasm, and just plain fun.”

How the contest works:

*Taste the new fresh fruit Gold Cone ice cream flavors (Key Lime, Harvest Peach, and Blueberry) at a local Cold Stone Creamery.

*Visit the Cold Stone Creamery official Facebook page and enter the contest with a creative and passionate comment about one of the flavors.

*The three most original and creative comments about the ice cream flavors will be chosen as finalists in the contest.

*Those three ice cream-loving finalists will win a three-day, two-night trip to Cold Stone Creamery’s headquarters and work with the Tastemaster in a flavor development competition. The winning flavor will be launched in all stores nationwide.

*Three second prize winners will win a free ice cream party for friends and family in their hometown.

“Cold Stone Creamery is known for showcasing innovative and bold ice cream flavors, and this summer we are embracing classic fresh fruit flavors,” says Ray Karam, Cold Stone Creamery’s Tastemaster. “The best part of my job is hearing what people think about our ice cream. I love this contest, as it gives our ice cream community a voice and awards three fans a chance to do my job.”

The summer Gold Cone flavors are available as a Creation, shake, and as new ice cream pies. Ice cream pies will be featured for a limited time for $12.99.

From June 30 through August 24, 2010, Cold Stone Creamery will host the Gold Cone Contest on the brand’s official Facebook page. To enter the contest, learn more details or review the rules, visit Cold Stone Creamery’s Facebook page.

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