The average American eats roughly 20 pounds (or four gallons) of ice cream each year, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. But the chance to enjoy free ice cream while fulfilling part of your patriotic duty only comes once a year.
This Sunday, July 21, is National Ice Cream Day in the United States. The annual holiday has taken place on the third Sunday of each July since President Ronald Reagan announced it in 1984, declaring ice cream to be “a nutritious and wholesome food” while announcing that each July would be National Ice Cream Month.
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“I call upon the people of the United States to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” he said on July 9, 1984.
Each year, ice cream shops across the country give away free ice cream, while in the nation’s capital, the International Dairy Foods Association celebrates with a Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party in which more than 200 three-gallon tubs of ice cream are donated.
This Sunday, shops across the Bay Area will be giving away free or discounted ice cream. Some have gotten particularly creative with their promotions.
Here’s a selection of the deals you can find while celebrating:
Baskin-Robbins
Starting Sunday through July 27, receive $5 off any purchase of $20 or more. Receive a free gift card with any purchase of the “ice cream social” necklace, featuring cotton candy ice cream, the iconic pink spoon and cappuccino blast ice cream.
Locations: From Concord to Redwood City, there are Baskin-Robbins shops scattered throughout the Bay Area. Check www.baskinrobbins.com for details and locations.
Ben and Jerry’s
In the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, customers looking to enjoy Ben and Jerry’s ice cream can make it a double feature. On Sunday only, folks who take their Ben and Jerry’s receipt down the street to the Harborside Dispensary can purchase a pre-rolled joint for $1. And customers who make any purchase at Harborside can bring their receipt to Ben and Jerry’s and upgrade to a waffle cone for free. Offer only available at the Haight-Ashbury location.
Location: San Francisco; www.benjerry.com
Cold Stone Creamery
There are no deals to be had here, but Coldstone is bringing back three retro snacks to celebrate: the Root Beer Float, Classic Fudge Sundae and an Orange Cream Float. Only available through July 23.
Locations: Another popular chain, Cold Stone has shops throughout the Bay Area; www.coldstonecreamery.com.
Dairy Queen
Sign up for a Dairy Queens rewards account and receive a free Dilly Bar, made with vanilla soft serve dipped in chocolate coating, with any purchase of $1 or more.
Locations: There’s no shortage of Dairy Queen locations in Northern California; www.dairyqueen.com.
Dippin’ Dots
Ice cream for breakfast? At Dippin’ Dots on Sunday, the first 120 customers who come through in the first hour the store is open will receive a free mini cup.
Locations: Find them in the malls: Sun Valley Mall, Livermore Outlets and Great Mall in Milpitas. Check www.dippindots.com for details.
Humphry Slocombe
Humphry Slocombe is doing a raffle for National Ice Cream Day this year. The shop is giving away three 9-inch breakfast ice cream cakes. Tickets are $1 and proceeds benefit Project Open Hand, which provides nutritious meals to the sick and vulnerable.
Locatons: There are plenty of Humphry Slocombe shops throughout the Bay Area including in Concord, Emeryville, San Mateo and more; humphryslocombe.com.
Insomnia Cookies
Starting Friday through Sunday, get a free cup of ice cream with any purchase. Rewards members will also receive double points all week.
Locations: San Jose, Berkeley, San Francisco; insomniacookies.com.
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O’Brien’s Ice Cream
Six months ago, O’Brien’s shut down its Pittsburg location due to poor sales, but the locations in Martinez and Walnut Creek are still going strong. On Sunday only, enjoy a free topping with any ice cream purchase.
Locations: Martinez, Walnut Creek. Store hours are 12 p.m. to 8 p.m; obriens-icecream.com.
Salt & Straw
The Portland-based ice cream shop is giving away a free pint of ice cream with the purchase of any three pints ordered for delivery. There are also several flavors available only this month: birthday cakes & blackberries, wild foraged berry slab pie, goat cheese marionberry habanero, banana bread w/ strawberry jam (vegan) and huckleberry cornbread pudding.
Locations: San Francisco, San Jose, San Ramon, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Los Gatos; saltandstraw.com.
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