For many, the name MacKay is synonymous with Cochrane.

And when you add the words "Ice Cream" it's absolutely delicious.

"That's our biggest thing," says Meghan Tayfel, who co-owns the popular Cochrane destination. "Our name isn't just MacKay's Ice Cream, it's MacKay's Cochrane Ice Cream for a reason. Our family is deeply rooted."

This Sunday, the Cochrane destination in the heart of the Historic Downtown is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Meghan and her husband Mark are the third generation of the family to run the business that continues to thrive.

Meghan and Mark took over the helm in 2011. Before doing so, Meghan says they started working alongside Rhona and Robyn in 2010 to make sure it was the right decision. They have no regrets.

"It's been a lot of fun and it's been very humbling and happy, and all that comes with being a business owner, but also being a third generation business owner."

MacKay's started back in 1948 when James and Christina MacKay took over the ownership and operation of the General Store.

Two years later, the entrepreneurs took a leap of faith and began making ice cream in the back of their Historic Downtown location to attract Calgary day-trippers as well as cater to the tastes of local residents.

Since then it has become a must to visit for those coming to spend time in our community. 

By 1977, it became clear they needed more space to meet the high demand for their products, so they built their current ice cream-making operation on River Ave.

mackay's sign

"We're now seeing second, third, and fourth-generation families coming to see us. That's so rewarding and it's so heartfelt to be a part of their lives and their families growing up."

Chances are you will change your mind a few times as you go through the line at the Historic Downtown landmark. They have about 48 flavours available at any given time, but that's just a sample of what they have created.

"Generally, we have about 48, but our recipe book spans back 75 years, and we have made over 300 flavours," she notes.

That includes special flavours to mark special occasions or to salute organizations.

"For instance, Camp Kindle, the kids' cancer camp in Water Valley, have their own special flavor that a bunch of their kids developed last year."

Outside of the community, their ice cream continues to be served at Harvey's Confectionary in Heritage Park and it can be found in grocery stores across southern Alberta.

They also have a strong tie with the Calgary Stampede.

"We were there for a number of years. We haven't been recently, but they're still a really big part of us. Quite often they'll order a special flavor for an event that they're doing, so that's lots of fun."

Meghan isn't certain how many people walk through their doors each year, but the quantity of ice cream they produce each year helps to put it in perspective.

"In total, we make about 120,000 litres of ice cream, so that's a lot of cones."

This Sunday's celebration runs from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

"We're kind of considering it a sidewalk celebration, so we're going to have face painters and balloon artists, a photo booth, and free samples of a very special ice cream.

"We decided to go old school. We went back a few years and so we're making our classic buttery butter brickle, which is a butterscotch ice cream with a butterscotch ripple, and we're kicking it up a notch. We're using original Macintosh toffee pieces in it, so it'll be delicious."

It's also a chance to collect some swag and check out the special offers and activities from their neighbours in the Historic Downtown.