National Ice Cream Day 2019 Deals and Freebies

National Ice Cream Day, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, is celebrated on the third Sunday of July. In 2019, this date fell on July 21. The holiday is part of National Ice Cream Month, designed to recognize the economic and cultural significance of the ice cream industry. Various retailers, restaurants, and ice cream parlors offer promotional deals and free items to coincide with this celebration.

History and Significance

The tradition of National Ice Cream Day began with a presidential proclamation in 1984. President Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day. The proclamation highlighted the dairy industry's contribution to the United States economy, noting that in 1984, the ice cream industry generated $3.5 billion in annual sales.

Historical context regarding ice cream consumption in the United States dates back centuries. Historical figures such as Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson were known to enjoy ice cream. In 1813, First Lady Dolley Madison served ice cream at an Inaugural Ball. The mechanics of ice cream production evolved over time, with Augustus Jackson creating multiple ice cream recipes and a superior manufacturing technique in 1832. In 1843, Nancy Johnson of Philadelphia received the first U.S. patent for a small-scale hand-cranked ice cream freezer. The distribution of ice cream to the public changed significantly in 1920 with the introduction of the first ice cream trucks by Harry Burt.

Major Chain Offers

Several national chains participated in the 2019 celebration with offers available on or around July 21. Participation often varies by location, and many offers are subject to availability while supplies last.

Baskin Robbins

In 2019, Baskin Robbins offered a promotion for new users of their mobile application. Customers who downloaded the Baskin-Robbins app for the first time were eligible to receive a free regular-sized scoop of ice cream. This offer served as an incentive for joining the brand's digital platform.

Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery offered a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) free coupon. To access this deal, customers were required to sign up for the Cold Stone Creamery Rewards program by the Saturday preceding National Ice Cream Day (July 20, 2019).

Carvel

Carvel locations participated with a "Buy 1 soft serve cup or cone, get one free" offer on National Ice Cream Day.

Dippin' Dots

Dippin' Dots provided a free mini cup of their product at participating locations. This offer was time-sensitive, with each location serving the free item for a two-hour window on July 21. Customers were advised to check with their local shop for specific timing.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen offered a deal where customers could get a BOGO cup or cone of soft serve in honor of the holiday.

Wendy's

Wendy's promoted a discounted Frosty, offering a small size for $0.50 on July 21.

Burger King

Burger King offered free ice cream items, though specific details on the type of item were not fully elaborated in the provided data, the general offer was noted as part of the day's freebies.

Yogurtland

Yogurtland offered BOGO treats on July 21. This included their new dairy-free Key Lime Pie flavor and Cookies & Créme Light Ice Cream with Oreo wafers.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies had a promotion where a purchase resulted in a free scoop of ice cream.

CREAM

CREAM (Creamery Restaurant) offered a "Buy a scoop, get a scoop for free" deal at participating locations on July 21 and July 22.

Potbelly

Potbelly offered a free large hand-dipped milkshake with the purchase of any entrée. Customers were required to mention "National Ice Cream Day" at the counter to redeem the offer.

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets offered a free milkshake with the purchase of any entrée.

Long Horn Steakhouse

Long Horn Steakhouse offered a specific menu item for $3.99: Steak & Bourbon ice cream.

Humphry Slocombe

Humphry Slocombe, in partnership with Square, offered free scoops of a new sundae-inspired flavor on July 21 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The flavor featured a strawberry and roasted banana base topped with salted dark chocolate cookie crumbles.

Retail and Non-Traditional Offers

Beyond dedicated ice cream shops, other retailers and food service providers joined the celebration.

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements offered a free taste of their new Frozen Strawberry-Lemonade. No purchase was necessary to receive this freebie at their locations. This offer was available starting July 8, leading up to the holiday.

Uniqlo

The clothing retailer Uniqlo offered free My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream at their locations on Sunday, July 21.

Nutella Café

The Nutella Café in Chicago and New York offered a tiered promotion. The first 50 customers received a frozen Nutella pop. All subsequent customers received a free scoop of gelato.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon offered two free Cinnabon BonBites at their stores on the Saturday preceding the holiday (July 20) from noon to 6:00 PM. This offer was also available at Pilot and Flying J rest stops with a Cinnabon outlet from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday.

Ice Cream Delight

Located in Wilmington, Delaware, Ice Cream Delight offered free sprinkles as part of their National Ice Cream Day celebration.

Pet-Friendly Offers

National Ice Cream Day also extends to pets. Several brands offer "doggie ice cream" or pet-safe frozen treats.

Petsmart and PetsHotel

Petsmart and PetsHotel offered free doggie ice cream topped with biscuit treats on July 20 and July 21. This offer was available while supplies lasted.

General Pet Safety

It is noted that pet owners should ensure any human ice cream given to pets is safe, as many dogs are lactose intolerant. The specific offers from Petsmart are designed to be safe for canine consumption.

Local and Regional Offers

In addition to national chains, many local ice cream shops participate in the holiday. For example, in Central New York, various local vendors were listed as participating. These included: - Big Dip! - Plank Road Icecream Ice Cream - Bliss Ice Cream Stand - The Ice Cream Stand - Gannon's Ice Cream - Broadway Cafe and Arctic Island - Sno Top - Scoops Ice Cream Shoppe - Thee Diner & Ice Cream Stand - Vicky's Tasty Treats - JT's Creamery and Cafe

Consumers are encouraged to check with local establishments to verify participation and specific offer details.

Consumer Tips for National Ice Cream Day

Based on the data from 2019, consumers looking to take advantage of National Ice Cream Day deals should consider the following:

Check Local Availability: While national chains advertise deals, individual franchise owners may choose not to participate. It is advisable to call ahead.
Timing: Some offers are valid only for specific hours (e.g., Dippin' Dots' two-hour window) or only on the Saturday before the holiday (e.g., Cinnabon).
Sign-up Requirements: Some deals, such as the Cold Stone Creamery BOGO, require advance registration for loyalty programs.
App Downloads: New user incentives, like the Baskin Robbins scoop, require downloading the app and creating an account.
Supply Limits: Many "free" offers are available "while supplies last," meaning early arrival is often necessary.
Foot Traffic: Data from Womply in 2019 predicted that foot traffic at ice cream shops would more than double on National Ice Cream Day. Consumers were advised to plan ahead for potential crowds.

Conclusion

National Ice Cream Day on July 21, 2019, provided a wide array of freebies and discounts across the United States. From major chains like Baskin Robbins and Dairy Queen to retailers like Uniqlo and pet stores like Petsmart, there were opportunities for everyone to celebrate. The event serves as a yearly reminder of the historical and economic importance of ice cream in American culture. Consumers interested in these deals should monitor official brand announcements each July to find specific offers, dates, and eligibility requirements.