National Ice Cream Day Is Sunday: Where To Score Freebies And Deals In Gilroy

GILROY, CA — As far back as the Persian Empire and Tang Dynasty, frozen treats have offered cool relief on hot days. So it’s little wonder that the Quaker colonists brought recipes for frozen ice treats and ice cream with them, and opened the first ice cream shops in New York and other cities.

Fast-forward two and a half centuries, and ice cream is widely regarded as America’s favorite summertime treat. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday of July. This year, that’s on July 20.

Several ice cream shops and companies are offering freebies and deals on Sunday, and some have month-long offers.

Here’s a look at some of them (as always, call ahead to make sure your local store is participating):

Baskin-Robbins: The chain’s weeklong celebration of National Ice Cream Day starts Sunday and continues through July 26. Rewards members get $5 off orders of $20 or more placed through third-party delivery.

Braum’s: All single-dip ice cream and small frozen yogurt cones will be on sale for $1.30, and double-dip cones will be $1.89. Also, all three-pint ice cream and frozen yogurt cartons in Braum’s Fresh Market shops are on sale at a price of two for $7 now through Sunday.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream: The chain has several promotions tied to National Ice Cream Month, including a chance to win free ice cream for a year.

Burger King: Rewards members can get a free Soft Serve ice cream with the purchase of $1 or more on Sunday.

Cold Stone Creamery: Now through July 31, the chain is offering a flavor twist on a fan-favorite treat: Birthday Cake Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Taco, now featuring the all-new Birthday Cake Oreo Cookie Ice Cream. On Sunday, the store will choose five winners of Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream ($450) for a year (entry details @ColdStone on Instagram).

Dairy Queen: Through Sunday, rewards members get a free Dilly Bar on orders of $1 or more.

Dippin’ Dots: Participating locations will give away free mini cups of any flavor of Dippin’ Dots ice cream during a two-hour window — giveaway hours vary by location. Also, the first 100 people in line get a free souvenir take-home cup. Check your store on the Dippin’ Dots locator.

Dunkin’: Rewards members get three times the points on Frozen Beverages on Sunday, as well as $3 medium Refreshers.

Friendly’s: Rewards members get a free cone or dish of ice cream on Sunday, and non-members can get 90-cent single-scoop ice cream cones r dishes, either in-store or to-go.

Graeter’s: Rewards members get single-dip sugar cones for $1.55 Friday through Sunday. Through July, the ice cream parlor is giving a free scoop of ice cream to children who submit a completed coloring sheet for its annual Coloring Contest.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream: Handel’s is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding by offering a free small ice cream to people 80 and older on National Ice Cream Day.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: On Sunday, Jeni’s offers customers the add Sundae Fudge Sauce to any order at no charge.

Kilwins: From July 20-31, enter an Instagram sweepstakes to win “free ice cream for a year” ($600 e-gift card) from Kilwins, known for its premium chocolates, ice cream, and confections.

Marble Slab Creamery: The ice cream store’s perk for loyalty members — a free small ice cream — is not only good every Sunday in July, it’s valid for seven days after that.

My/Mochi Ice Cream: Every Sunday in July, My/Mochi is giving away “summer chill packs” with ice cream coupons and other merchandise. On National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, fans can sign up for a free year’s supply of premium ice cream when they follow My/Mochi on Instagram, like a post, comment with summer friends, or tag a friend.

Salt & Straw: The chain culminates a full week of offers Sunday with a prize for every online offer placed. Guests will each get one NICD card with a QR code revealing prizes ranging from a free scoop to a personal ice cream-making session with Salt & Straw chef, founder and cookbook author Tyler Malek.

Stop & Shop: While supplies last, get a free 1.5-quart tub of Shop & Stop brand ice cream by checking in-store Savings Station kiosks from Friday through Sunday.

Sub Zero nitrogen Ice Cream: The chain is celebrating its 20th anniversary and National Ice Cream Day from 2-4 p.m. Saturday the 19th with a free scoop of Big Blast ice cream at shops, according to a post on Facebook.

Van Leeuwen: In celebration of the 10th anniversary of its popular Honeycomb flavor and National Ice Cream Day, Van Leeuwen Scoop Shops nationwide are offering $3 scoops of Honeycomb at from noon to 2 p.m. local time. Customers also get a chance at a 3-gallon tub of Honeycomb ice cream and merchandise. For those in New York, the first 100 customers at the Tribeca location will get a scratch-off ticket with a chance to win prizes.

16 Handles: On National Ice Cream Day, customers can get a free soft-serve treat when they download the 16 Handles app and visit a participating location on Sunday.

Sources for this list are emails, websites and The Food Network.