Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream kicks off 3rd Annual “Ice Cream Wars” to benefit local schools

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. — Sweet competition is returning to Murrells Inlet as Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream(opens in new tab) launches its 3rd Annual Battle of the Schools: Ice Cream Wars. Running from Monday, September 7, through Sunday, September 20, 2026, the two-week event invites community members to enjoy handcrafted ice cream while raising funds for area schools.

The annual competition pairs local schools with custom ice cream flavors created specifically for the event. Community participation directly influences the outcome, with multiple ways for supporters to help their school climb the leaderboard: 

• Spirit Days: Supporters can wear their school colors during designated Spirit Days to show pride and cheer on their teams.

• Scoop & Bucket Purchases: Every scoop and pre-packed bucket of a school’s featured flavor sold counts as a vote toward that school’s overall total.

At the conclusion of the two-week event, the top three schools with the highest bucket sales will receive cash prizes. Additionally, the first-place school will win a free ice cream social hosted by Stella’s for the entire student body and staff.

All participating school pairings and custom flavors will be officially announced on Sunday, September 6, ahead of the Monday kickoff. Community members, families, and local businesses are encouraged to stop by Stella’s in Murrells Inlet(opens in new tab) throughout the competition to support local education one scoop at a time.