# Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jersey-shore-ice-cream-playoffs-2026 > Updated: 2026-07-29T17:33:35.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 6. The Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs, launched on July 20, invite the public to vote at ThumbsUpGuys.com through July 31 for the title “Best Ice Cream at the Jersey Shore.” The $10,000 advertising grant from Townsquare Media and a year of regional promotion will be awarded to the winner on August 1. Early entrants included Strollo’s Lighthouse in Long Branch and Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Union Beach, both of which advanced to the next stage and spurred a surge of community votes. On July 27, Cookman Creamery of Asbury Park entered the contest and paired its participation with the “The Ice Cream Parlor” art exhibition, opening August 1 and running through September 8. The latest addition is Scoop To My Lou, a family‑run shop with locations in East Brunswick and South Plainfield. The shop, which offers more than three dozen flavors, a vintage claw‑machine, dog‑friendly treats, and ample back‑seating, is now competing in the public vote. Foot‑traffic data from Placer AI shows the shop among the most‑visited eateries in Monmouth County, underscoring its popularity as voting continues toward the July 31 deadline. Most recently, Nicholas Creamery – a popular ice‑cream retailer founded in Atlantic Highlands in 2018 and now operating multiple sites across the shore including Fair Haven, Tinton Falls, Long Branch, Middletown, Wall and North Brunswick – announced its participation. The creamery highlights its tradition of offering school‑flavored scoops and notes long lines at its flagship location, adding another strong contender to the community vote. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Nicholas Creamery enters Jersey Shore ice‑cream competition Nicholas Creamery, a beloved New Jersey ice‑cream chain, entered the Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs, a community vote to crown the best local shop. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicholas-creamery-enters-jersey-shore-icecream-competition ### 2026-07-29: Scoop To My Lou ice cream shop competes for Jersey Shore’s best Scoop To My Lou, with two New Jersey locations, offers over three dozen flavors and pet treats, and is vying for the Jersey Shore’s best ice‑cream shop in a public voting contest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scoop-to-my-lou-ice-cream-shop-vies-for-jersey-shores-best-shop ### 2026-07-27: Cookman Creamery Draws Visitors and Votes in Asbury Park Ice Cream Playoffs Asbury Park’s family‑run Cookman Creamery, known for its small‑batch flavors, partnered with Parlor Gallery for an art exhibit and is competing in the Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs, seeking votes for a $10, K 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cookman-creamery-draws-visitors-and-votes-in-asbury-park-ice-cream-playoffs ### 2026-07-20: Rita's Italian Ice Advances in Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Union Beach, NJ, is competing in the Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs, with locals voting online to advance the shop. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ritas-italian-ice-advances-in-jersey-shore-ice-cream-playoffs ### 2026-07-20: Strollo's Lighthouse Ice Cream Featured in New Jersey Ice Cream Playoffs Strollo's Lighthouse in Long Branch, NJ, joins the Ice Cream Playoffs 2026, highlighting its historic Italian‑ice treats and inviting public votes via ThumbsUpGuys.com. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/strollos-lighthouse-ice-cream-featured-in-new-jersey-ice-cream-playoffs ### 2026-07-08: Jersey Shore Ice Cream Contest Offers $10,000 Advertising Grant Townsquare Media’s Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs lets locals nominate shops by July 20, vote through July 31, and awards the winner a $10,000 advertising campaign and title on August 1. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jersey-shore-ice-cream-contest-offers-10000-advertising-grant --- Cite as: Jersey Shore Ice Cream Playoffs 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jersey-shore-ice-cream-playoffs-2026