Spring is nearly here, which means your taxes are due in a few weeks.
But ... you also get free Italian ice.
In case you were not aware of this tradition, Rita’s is hosting its annual Italian ice giveaway from noon to 9 p.m. on the spring equinox, aka the first day of spring.
When is the first day of spring? Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
Each person gets one free ice. The cool treat will be served in a 7-ounce limited-edition first day of spring cup. For an extra charge, customers can add a frozen custard topper.
Rita’s, which is based in Trevose, Pennsylvania, was founded by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo in 1984 as Rita’s Water Ice in Bensalem.
The water ice business, which was named after Tumolo’s wife, began franchising in 1989 and has been serving free Italian ice on the first day of spring for more than 20 years.
Today, Italian ice varieties at Rita’s include classics like cherry, lemon, watermelon and chocolate. But you can also get blue raspberry, margarita, vanilla, banana, cotton candy, guava, strawberry lemonade, pineapple, chocolate peanut butter, root beer, Swedish fish, green apple, blueberry, wild black cherry, Florida orange, juicy pear, Key lime, tropical punch, chocolate chocolate chip, honeydew and cantaloupe.
Sugar-free ice varieties, made with Splenda, include tangerine, root beer and mango peach.
Rita’s also sells “Misto" drinks that blend Italian ice and frozen custard, gelati made with layers of ice and custard, and custard sundaes.
To find your nearest Rita’s location, enter your address in this store finder or check the list of all Rita’s locations in New Jersey.
Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
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