More than a decade after having the idea, couple brings Sunset Slush to State College

When Turtle and Lee Ann Patterson discovered the Sunset Slush brand while vacationing in North Carolina, they knew they had stumbled upon something special.

“We loved it. It became a staple during our visits. On our vacations ... we would go there once, twice, three times to get our Sunset Slush fix,” Turtle said, “and then, not long after, Lee Ann started talking about wanting to bring Sunset Slush to State College.”

But the timing wasn’t right. In fact, the timing wasn’t right for about 12 years, the couple said, until the COVID-19 pandemic began and the two long-time entrepreneurs were looking for a new business opportunity.

“I just said to Lee Ann, ‘Why don’t we do what you’ve always wanted to do? You’ve wanted to bring Sunset Slush here. Let’s try it,’” Turtle said.

The Pattersons started the planning process in early 2021 and opened for business in mid-May, attending their first event at Way Fruit Farm. The business consists of two mobile Italian ice carts and a concessions trailer, all serving a variety of flavored Italian ices. During an average week, Sunset Slush Happy Valley sets up shop at the William L. Welch Community Pool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and attends festivals and community events on the weekends.

So what sets Sunset Slush apart from your average Italian ice vendor? It’s all about the flavors, texture and nostalgia, Lee Ann said.

“It’s a very consistent flavor and the product is creamy,” she said. “People are surprised there’s not dairy in our product, just because it has a creamy-like texture. The unique texture and unique flavors make it so sought after ... I had this gentleman actually kind of tear up once, because he said it reminded him of the true Italian ice that he ate when he was a kid.”

Sunset Slush Happy Valley offers a range of flavors. For the kids, the Pattersons say fun colors are always in demand, whether it’s a Rainbow USA Italian ice or the Crybaby Italian ice, both of which are mixes of three different colors and flavors. The Rainbow USA option mixes cherry, lemon and blue raspberry flavors, while the Crybaby mixes a cherry, sour apple and blue raspberry. However, overall, for both kids and adults alike, the mango is most popular, followed by strawberry lemonade and lemon-lime. Blue raspberry is also a favorite, as are coconut cream and chocolate.

In addition to showing up at popular community locales and events, the business also provides catering for corporate and social events, often with a unique twist.

“Our product is very suitable for, and pairs well with, spirits and wine and, actually, some beers,” Turtle said. “So it’s fun for kids and fun for adults. It’s fun for everyone. ... It’s another way of serving adult beverages at parties in a different way.”

While Sunset Slush doesn’t provide the alcohol to pair along with their flavors, they’ll often team up with another vendor (such as Big Spring Spirits during the monthly Friday in the ’Fonte event in Bellefonte) or an event host to suggest Italian ice and spirit or wine pairings, such as mango ice with vodka or coconut rum.

And while you might think that Italian ice is a summer-only sort of business, the Pattersons assure that they intend to keep on serving Centre County right through the winter. The mobile carts are suitable for indoor events, from Christmas parties to winter festivals to indoor sporting events.

“A lot of people still haven’t tried Sunset Slush Happy Valley, and we really believe, once people try it, I think people are really surprised and excited about the product,” Lee Ann said. “That’s one of the things that we love about this business, is watching people’s reaction when they try it for the first time, and also meeting so many wonderful, new people.”

For more information about Sunset Slush Happy Valley and upcoming event appearances, check out the Sunset Slush Happy Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sunsetslushhappyvalley.