National Ice Cream Day

Sunday is the day to save on an ice cream sundae and sweet treats.

 

July 19 is National Ice Cream Day and businesses across the nation are celebrating with specials, discounts, free scoops and contests.

 

But like many other recent food holidays including National Fry Day and Tax Day, the coronavirus pandemic has changed the day's deals and there are fewer freebies.

 

According to NationalToday.com's 2019 ice cream day survey, 30% of the 2,000 people surveyed would eat ice cream with every meal if they could.

 

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The day became an official food holiday in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan declared the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day and the month of July as National Ice Cream Month.

 

Reagan’s proclamation noted the ice cream industry generated $3.5 billion in annual sales.

 

Krispy Kreme has extended its birthday deal through Sunday for members of its rewards program. With the purchase of any dozen doughnuts, get a dozen free Original Glazed doughnuts at participating shops nationwide. To redeem this deal online, use code KKBirthdayBOGO.

 

And if you haven't already had a free Slurpee at 7-Eleven this month, you can still grab one through July 31.

 

Ice Cream Day deals, freebies

Here are discounts and freebies available at participating locations Sunday, July 19 unless otherwise noted. Offers can vary and most times are offered while supplies last. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. Also, some will require you to have an app or be signed up for emails.

 

7-Eleven: Free Slurpee Day aka 7-Eleven Day 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19, but members of the 7Rewards loyalty program can still get a free medium Slurpee through July 31 at participating locations. Learn more about the offer, which has a limit of one per account, at www.7-eleven.com/7rewards.

 

Baskin-Robbins: Get a free regular scoop on DoorDash orders $15 or more with promo code BASKINSCOOP. Also pay no delivery fees of orders $15 or more through July 31, no promo code needed.

 

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream: Get double Sweet Rewards points through Sunday. Register for the Sweet Rewards loyalty program at www.brusterssweetrewards.com.

 

Burger King: Find several offers on the BK app including two Oreo cookie shakes for $5. Learn more at www.bk.com/offers.

 

Carvel: Get $1 off any size soft serve cup or cone of Vanilla Bourbon Toffee Sunday. This deal is available "in-shoppe only" and no coupon is needed, the company announced on Twitter.

 

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Checkers: Get free fries for joining the chain's text messaging program. Text SNACK to 88001 to sign up or sign up online at www.checkers.com/flavorhood.

 

Cold Stone Creamery: Through July 23, get a buy-one-get-one free Creation when you purchase a Creation online with a promo code. To get this deal, place an order online, log into your My Cold Stone Club Rewards account at check out and enter the code ICECREAM. Sign up to be a member at www.coldstonecreamery.com/mycsc.

 

Coolhaus: Get free Coolhaus ice cream at Publix with a digital coupon, while supplies last. Find Publix digital coupons at www.publix.com/savings/digital-coupons and select the offer. Must have a Club Publix account to activate the coupon, which has a maximum value of $5.99. Only one coupon per Club Publix card account. Coupon expires on August 1.

 

Cumberland Farms: Text the word SCOOPS to 64827 to receive $1 off any pint of Ultimate Scoops Sunday through Tuesday, July 21. Existing members of the text database will automatically receive the coupon Sunday.

 

Dairy Queen: Get a $1 off Dipped Cones Sunday through the chain's mobile app Sunday. The deal excludes kids cones.

 

Dickey's Barbecue Pit: Get a free ice cream cone with purchase of any entrée Sunday.

 

DoorDash: The on-demand delivery company has several deals at convenience retailers through Sunday with code ICECREAM5OFF. Participating retailers include: CVS, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Wawa, Casey's, Hasty Market, Circle K, Everyday Essentials Corner Store, GetGo, Speedway, Market On Demand, Royal Farms, Holiday Stationstore, Fast Mart, ExtraMile, Fresh Thyme and Smart & Final.

 

Fresh Market: The grocery store chain has select varieties of Graeter’s Ice Cream on sale for $4.99 and pints of Coolhaus are on sale for two for $8.

 

Friendly's: In celebration of its 85th birthday and National Ice Cream Day, Friendly's is offering 85 cent cones Saturday and Sunday to members of its BFF club. Sign up for the club at www.friendlysrestaurants.com.

 

Godiva: All soft serve and sundaes will be buy-one-get-one half off Sunday, the company posted on Twitter.

 

Good Humor: In honor of Good Humor’s 100th anniversary this year, the brand says it released limited edition anniversary packaging for its Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Dessert Bars. Each package features a coupon valued at $2 that can be redeemed on any one Good Humor six-count or four-count product, the company told USA TODAY.

 

goPuff: Get two select pints of ice cream for $6 Sunday.

 

Insomnia Cookies: Get a buy-one-get-one free deal on the chain's new Monster’wiches Sunday. The company said in a tweet that its Cookie'wich is buy-one-get-one free Saturday and Sunday.

McDonald's: Get $1 snack size McFlurry Sunday with the McDonald's app. Also, each Friday through Sept. 27, get a free medium fries each Friday on mobile orders with a minimum $1 purchase when using an app offer.

 

Pressed Juicery: Get 50% off Freeze and Frozen mini cups Sunday.

 

Sonic Drive-In: Download the Sonic app for deals at www.sonicdrivein.com/app.

 

The Ice Cream Shop: Get free delivery through Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash and Grubhub Sunday. Promo code ICECREAMNOW is needed on Postmates orders.

 

Wendy's: The fast food chain has various deals on its app and website. Download the app at www.wendys.com.

 

White Castle: Find coupons, including a free drink with no required purchase, at www.whitecastle.com/value-offers.

 

Whole Foods Market: Amazon Prime members get 35% off all ice cream and frozen treats through Tuesday at Whole Foods. Also look for rebates on the Ibotta app from Bubbies for its mochi ice cream and other brands.

 

Yogurtland: Real Rewards members get double the points Sunday for every takeout order. Sign up at www.yogurt-land.com/realrewards.

 

More deals: Locally owned businesses and regional chains also may have specials for National Ice Cream Day. One of the easiest ways to find out is to check restaurants' social media channels.

 

 

Ice Cream Day contests

Blue Bunny: The ice cream brand has launched a Ticket Exchange and says it is "delivering some sweet perks and frozen treats to fans who faced canceled or postponed events, trips and other experiences this summer." Through Sept. 2, enter for a chance to win hundreds of prizes at www.funlightenment.com and all participants will get a coupon for a discounted Blue Bunny Load’d treat.

 

Casper's Ice Cream: The ice cream company who owns FatBoy, vegan friendly Jolly Llama and Churn Baby says the brands will have their biggest social giveaways through the brand's Instagram accounts. To enter, you'll need to submit a video on Instagram either on your feed or story and tag at least one of the accounts (Churn Baby, Jolly Llama or FatBoy) with a video of them screaming for ice cream. They will also need to use the hashtag #iscream4icecreamCB/FB/JL (the end portion of the hashtag depends on the account). The contest ends July 27 and one winner will be selected per brand and will win a year's worth of free ice cream.

 

Coconut Bliss: The brand is launching its special Insider’s Program in July and will be offering their fans the chance to win a year’s worth of free ice cream in honor of National Ice Cream Day. The company says it will share more information on its Instagram page.

 

Häagen-Dazs: The ice cream company is launching the “Fantasy Flavor Scoop Off,” an imaginative flavor idea contest. One winner will get 24 coupons for a year's worth of free ice cream. To enter, follow Häagen-Dazs on Instagram and look for its contest announcement post Sunday.

 

My/Mo: To celebrate National Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day, My/Mo is giving away 100,000 mochi balls with its "first ever Chompionship Games – a virtual competition for ice cream lovers everywhere to play for their own free box of My/Mo." Learn more at www.mymomochi.com/chompionship-games.

 

Sensodyne: The sensitive toothpaste brand has a giveaway on Twitter noon ET Sunday in select parts of the country. To participate, tweet #SensodyneSundae, plus #giveaway and include the ice cream emoji, for a chance to win one free pint of ice cream, Sensodyne Rapid Relief toothpaste and more, while supplies last. The contest's participating cities include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia. See the rules here.

Snickers: Through Monday, July 20, enter for a chance to win a box of Snickers Peanut Brownie from the first batch. Reply to social posts about what you're willing to do for the new candy. Learn more and see the contest rules here.

 

So Delicious: On Sunday, the company is giving 50 fans the chance to win free customized pints of the dairy-free frozen dessert. The brand will share recipes on its Instagram account and 50 fans who comment on their favorite recipe that day and mention a friend they’d like to share it with will be randomly selected to receive two free personalized pints. Find the contest rules at https://bit.ly/EverydayIsSundae.