BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A sweet Ben & Jerry’s tradition was back Tuesday, along with long lines for a free cone.
In a line out the door and down Church Street, hundreds of people waited Tuesday morning for a Ben & Jerry’s special treat.
“Because I am trying to get that free ice cream,” said Kali Ali of Burlington.
Since 1979, the company has offered an annual Free Cone Day for its customers. The sweet celebration was created to show appreciation to the brand’s fans. Some locals, like Carol Ann Wooster, plan on getting back in line for more than one scoop. “I have been here since about 10 a.m. Brought my chair, brought some books. I got a whole list. They got like nine flavors. I don’t know which one to get. I’m doing three — at least three,” she said.
The store gives out about 7,000 scoops at their Burlington scoop shop alone. Nationwide, the numbers are upwards of one million.
“I actually came down with some friends from out of state because they haven’t been to a free cone day before. So, I figured I would take them out. We got in line early. Well, it’s free. I always love free things, but it’s just a nice thing Ben & Jerry’s has been doing for a really long time,” said Jessie Ingraham of Burlington.
“I like Free Cone Day because it brings out the community. We all get to socialize with each other. It’s also just free ice cream. So, like to get a break from school, too. We actually got let out early,” said Khamis Ali.
“Who doesn’t want free Ice cream. Why go to the store and buy ice cream when you can get it for free. Last year, every single year since we have come to the school,” Kali Ali said.
Ben & Jerry’s Vermont scoop shops stay open until 8 p.m.
And not to be outdone, Thursday is Free Crepe Day at The Skinny Pancake.