Ok, sure, it's far from the warmest spring day in Chicago right now, but there's nothing like free ice cream to make a day feel instantly sunnier. Thankfully, today is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s and you'll be able to get a taste of the brand's famously delicious flavors for free around Chicago from noon to 8pm.
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As has become one tasty annual tradition, Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day is being celebrated at shops throughout the country, including two participating locations right here in Chicago: The Navy Pier Ice Cream Shop at 600 East Grand Ave and the Glenview Ice Cream Shop at 1860 Tower Drive.
All you have to do is show up at the nearest participating storefront and claim your free cone of choice. And if one scoop isn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, there's no judgment here! Ben & Jerry's encourages fans to get back in line as many times as they'd like on Free Cone Day and go for scoop two (or three, or four).
Ben & Jerry's began celebrating Free Cone Day for the first time in 1979 to thank the ice cream purveyor's diehard fans "for all the love and support they showed us that first year of business in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont," according to the company. The annual promotion gives ice cream lovers a chance to indulge in their favorite flavors without spending a dime. That means you can enjoy longtime fan-favorite flavors like Cherry Garcia and Half Baked, alongside new treats like Dulce De-lish!—a dreamy blend of salted caramel ice cream, pecan toffee pieces and caramel swirls—and Turtle Sundae, which boasts pretzel swirls and fudge-covered almonds.
"Free Cone Day has always been about gratitude—we want to thank our fans for being the best fans in the world with free ice cream and a moment of pure joy,” said Dave Stever, Ben & Jerry’s CEO, in an official statement. "This year, more than ever, we’re reminded how powerful those small moments of happiness can be."