Thousands of years ago, people in the Persian Empire would put snow in a bowl, pour grape-juice concentrate over it and eat it as a treat. They did this when the weather was hot and used the snow saved in the cool-keeping underground chambers known as “yakhchal”, or taken from the snowfall that remained at the stop of mountains by the summer capital.
Luckily today, there are many more flavors and it’s a little easier to get ice cream year round. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in the month of July.
Here’s a roundup of places you can get free ice cream to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, today July 16th:
Baskin Robbins-Get a free samples of its popular Polar Pizza from Noon – 5:00 p.m. at participating Baskin-Robbins locations on 7/14. In addition to the Polar Pizza Sampling on July 14, Baskin-Robbins is giving its guests several ways to enjoy National Ice Cream Month. For starters, guests who download the Baskin-Robbins Mobile App will receive exclusive offers on National Ice Cream Day (Sunday, July 16) and throughout the month.
Dippin’ Dots: Get one free mini cup at Dippin’ Dots at The Mall at Fairfield Commons today from 12-2pm. This store recently moved from the first floor to the 2nd, across from the food court
McDonald’s: Use the McDonald’s mobile app to redeem the offer for a free vanilla soft serve cone. If you participate in the promotion from 2 to 5 p.m., you’ll have the possibility of being the one lucky winner of a lifetime supply of McDonald’s soft serve.
Not free, but still a deal:
Graeter’s– Wants to thank their loyal fans, for keeping them in business for over 147 years with $1.47 single dip sugar cones on Sunday, July 16th!
Wendy’s – Get a classic Wendy’s Vanilla or Chocolate Frosty for only 50 cents through Aug. 25
Whole Foods: Get all Ben & Jerry’s pints for two for $6. There will also be in-store “Sundae Fundae” sampling events and make-your-own sweet treats in select stores nationwide, so check your location for details.
And even dogs get to celebrate National Ice Cream Day:
PetSmart: This pet store is handing out free Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes — dog-safe vanilla ice cream topped with a dog biscuit sprinkle — at its PetSmart PetsHotel locations nationwide.
