The Arctic Circle at Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour

The masks are off. The barriers are down. As we take a collective (and perhaps a little tentative) sigh of relief and turn a new corner, we do so with the anticipation of once again hugging and celebrating with our loved ones. Meals, whether formal dinners, backyard barbeques or simple picnics on the beach, show how vital the communal experience of food is for our connection with one another. And above all others, is there any food better suited to help celebrate an achievement or salve a wound than ice cream?

Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee has been dishing out the sweet treats for the last twenty-five years. Mark “Papa Bear” Lawrence has been at the helm (and manning the irons for warm, fresh waffle cones made to order) for the last twenty. Polar Cave just might have the most extensive Coca Cola collection on the east coast, with over 2000 bottles from all over the world on display, and many more in a storage container out back. They lay claim to offering the world’s smallest cone at a cost of only 50 cents. Polar Cave also has the perfect exclamation point to any long overdue get-together, the Arctic Circle.

The biggest sundae Polar Cave offers checks in at a whopping 20 scoops of any of the more than 60 flavors from which to choose. Up to ten different toppings are ladled over the scoops and a fluffy dome of whipped cream speckled with jimmies, rainbow sprinkles and cherries completes the mountain. Add bananas, brownies, and several of Mark’s famous waffle bowls to make it the perfect accompaniment to any gathering. Polar Cave’s Arctic Circle also features hundreds of spoonfuls of sweet satisfaction. Smiles surfacing across the gathered faces with each taste. This creation is ultimately topped with the giddy laughter that only comes from sharing an ice cream and a bond.

Polar Cave creates 15 to 20 Arctic Circles every season. No one person has ever bested this Everest of ice cream. The current record is held by a party of five who stared down the very real risk of crippling ice cream headaches and managed to polish off an Arctic Circle in under 10 minutes!

Whether it’s for the unique flavors of ice cream (with new ones always being tested), the pies, cakes or monster shakes, Polar Cave has a dedicated and loyal following. “People come from all over the world for their one visit here when on their yearly vacation,” Mark proudly states. Their catering services can also bring the parlour to you. “If it has anything to do with ice cream, we can handle it.”

One of the many slogans of Polar Cave is, “If your sweet tooth says ice cream, your wisdom tooth says Polar Cave.” You’d be wise not to tackle this peak of self-indulgence alone. Instead, assemble your crew, get your band back together, call in your reinforcements, because a celebration is in order, and just being together is reason enough for it. The only thing sweeter than enjoying an Arctic Circle from Polar Cave is the sight of all those smiling, ice cream covered faces enjoying it with you.