Here's Where You Can Get Free Treats In MD On 1st Day Of Spring

After a relatively mild winter, spring is finally here— and what better way to celebrate than with free ice cream and Italian ice?

Rita's and Dairy Queen are both offering their free treats Wednesday to celebrate the start of spring. The first day of spring is expected to be mostly cloudy but mild with temperatures in the mid-50s, so you can enjoy dessert outside.

Rita's will give away a free small Italian ice to all customers who stop by on March 20.

The promotion runs from noon to 9 p.m.; custard can be added on top for an additional charge. There are several Rita's locations in Maryland including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crofton, Odenton, Glen Burnie, Laurel, Stevensville, Mitchellville, Dunkirk, Dundalk, Baltimore, Perry Hall, Elkridge, Essex, Forest Hill, Fallston, Abingdon, Joppa, Aberdeen, Towson, Hunt Valley, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Bowie and College Park.

Click here to find your closest Rita's location.

Dairy Queen is handing out free small vanilla cones on all day long at participating stores on Wednesday. Customers are asked to make a contribution to the Children's Miracle Network as part of the promotion.

There are numerous Dairy Queen locations in Maryland, including:

• 1510 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill
• 3007 Emmorton Road, Abingdon
• 220 Mountain Road, Fallston
• 1275 Annapolis Mall, Ste 137a Annapolis
• 1140 Annapolis Rd, Odenton
• Arundel Mills Mall, 7000 Arundel Mills Cir #114, Hanover
• Harpers Choice Village Center, 5485 Harpers Farm Road
• Kings Contrivance Village Center, 8640 Guilford Road
• 11700 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m.
• 9700 Groffs Mill Drive, Owings Mills. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m.
• 9103 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m.
• Golden Ring Shopping Center, 8650 Pulaski Highway, in Rosedale.
• Lake Forest Mall 701 Russell Ave #e153 Gaithersburg
• 12603 Wisteria Dr Germantown
• 2019 Veirs Mill Rd Rockville

***And to reiterate, the free, small cone is being offered at participating places, so you may want to call ahead to make sure yours is participating.

Following Free Cone Day, DQ is offering a small regular or dipped soft serve cone for 50 cents, available for redemption only with the DQmobile app, March 21-31 at participating DQ and DQ Grill & Chilllocations. This offer includes the NEW DQ orange, creamy and crunchy dreamsicle dip, or try the DQ classic chocolate dip.

Click here to find your Dairy Queen's closest location.

Reporting contributed by Patch Editor Brian McCready