HILMAR -- Hilmar Cheese Co. will host a tour of its facilities, along with showing people how ice cream is made, between Friday and Dec. 31 at the cheese processing plant on the corner of Lander and August avenues in Hilmar.

The tour includes watching an animated movie and hands-on exhibits. Visitors can dress like cheesemakers and watch employees package the big 640-pound crates of cheese. The highlight will be a chance to make ice cream and to create homemade ice cream samples.

Sign-ups for the tour begin at 10:45 a.m., and the tours begin at 11 a.m. The tour will last about an hour, and cost is $3 per participant for both the tour and making ice cream.

For more information, call (209) 656-1196 or go online to www.hilmarcheese.com.

-- Carol Reiter