I love writing about freebies and deals you can find on the first day of spring.
Why?
After a snowy winter and with daylight saving time back in season, the first day of spring always gives me hope–even if I’m still wearing my winter coat.
Even if you’re not in the mood for things like ice cream, when places like Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland opens for the season, it’s definitely a harbinger of spring.
Freebies and deals for the first day of spring in Maine
The purpose of this article is to guide you to any freebies and deals specifically tied into the first day of spring in Southern Maine.
As I mentioned in this article about national food holidays, when we lived outside the Philadelphia area, we loved heading to Rita’s Italian Ice on the first day of spring.
That’s because there was always free Italian ice that day. Sadly, the closest Rita’s is in Walpole, Massachusetts.
No worries, though.
You can still find at least one freebie you can enjoy in Southern Maine for the first day of spring. In 2024, that first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19.
Dairy Queen Free Cone Day
DQ, aka Dairy Queen, is once again hosting its popular Free Cone Day on the first day of spring, March 19. You’ll get a free small vanilla cone for all customers. No purchase required.
The fine print:
“Free small vanilla cone at participating US non-mall locations. All day, limit one per person. While supplies last. May not be valid on delivery or mobile orders.”
Where are the DQ locations in Southern Maine? As of this writing:
- Biddeford
- Kennebunk
- Kittery
- Old Orchard Beach
- Saco
- Sanford
- South Portland
- Wells
- Westbrook
- Windham
So, even though this free ice cream cone from DQ was the only freebie I could find for the first day of spring, nothing is stopping you from visiting multiple locations throughout the day. For example, I could start at the DQ in Wells. It’s on Route 1 near the Wells firehouse. Then, I could continue up Route 1 into Kennebunk and stop at the location there, near where High Street comes into Portland Road. After that, I could drive 20 or so minutes up Route 1 into Biddeford, also on Route 1, just north of the Marden’s store there.
The weather is supposed to be sunny if not a little chilly. So, it might be a fun way to spend the first day of spring, with the windows down and the music on.