Free Ice Cream At Dairy Queen On First Day Of Spring

It's a day most of us have been waiting for: Monday, March 20, marks the first day of spring. But it gets even better: This year, it's also Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen.

"Get your first taste of summer on the first day of spring with one free small vanilla cone," Dairy Queen — which was founded in Joliet more than 70 years ago — announced on Twitter.

The deal is good at participating non-mall Dairy Queen and Grill & Chill locations across the country. The limit is one small vanilla cone per customer. The giveaway will be happening all day. For locations near you, visit the Dairy Queen website.

While giving away free ice cream is a sweet deal as it is, Free Cone Day is for a great cause: All day Monday, DQ will accept donations for the Children's Miracle Network. The company says it has raised more than $120 million for the cause over the past three decades, including $200,000 raised in 2016.

Dairy Queen is America’s largest ice cream chain, with 6,000 locations in 49 states and a dozen other countries. Sherb Noble opened the Joliet Dairy Queen on June 22, 1940, at 501 N. Chicago St. Though it hasn’t been a Dairy Queen since the 1950s, the building still stands as a city landmark.