Rita's, Dairy Queen Celebrate Arrival of Spring With Freebies

The first day of spring means it's almost baseball season and it won't be long until we see blooming flowers, migrating birds, warmer weather and longer days.

It is also the day you can get a freebie of water ice and ice cream in New Jersey. Rita's Water Ice and Dairy Queen are both offering first day of spring free servings all day on Thursday.

Rita's Water to Give Away Free Water Ice

For the 36th year, Rita's Water Ice is celebrating the beginning of spring by giving away a free 6-ounce water ice in the flavor of your choice this Thursday.

This deal is being offered at all local New Jersey Rita's and at the chain's 575 locations across America.

Rita's expects to give away 1 million cups of water ice on Thursday.

"For over 30 years, Rita’s First Day of Spring Giveaway has been more than just a tradition — it’s a moment of pure joy and connection that marks the start of a new season with a refreshing cup of Rita’s happiness," Linda Chadwick, president and CEO of Rita’s, said in a release.

Dairy Queen Has Free Cones on Thursday

Dairy Queen is also getting in on the first day of spring celebration.

On March 20, DQ is giving a free small vanilla soft-serve cone to each customer at participating non-mall locations. That includes the two local Dairy Queen locations open in Somers Point and Absecon.

The Dairy Queen boardwalk locations usually don't open until it gets a little closer to summer.

Dairy Queen's mall locations in other parts of New Jersey are giving free cones to customers who make a purchase.

"Free Cone Day is by far one of our favorite days of the year,” said Maria Hokanson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Dairy Queen.