Bend Ben & Jerry’s has new local owners, will celebrate Free Cone Day on April 16
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ben & Jerry’s is throwing its annual Free Cone Day celebration on Tuesday, April 16, but this time the ice cream maker is including a call to action. While any day free ice cream is involved is a win, the Ben & Jerry’s team behind the annual fan appreciation event, now well past its 40th year, are inviting fans to help make this year’s Free Cone Day the biggest and best yet with 1 million scoops served.
Last year, Free Cone Day made its highly anticipated return after a four-year pause, and dedicated Ben & Jerry’s fans showed the Vermont-based ice cream maker just how happy they were that the giveaway tradition was back.
"As new local owners of our scoop shop, we are excited for our first Free Cone Day and look forward to giving back to our fans with this annual tradition,” said, Luann Abrams, owner. “Last year Ben & Jerry’s dished out over 970,000 scoops across the globe, but we know together with our fans right here in Bend, we can achieve our goal of going over 1 million scoops in 2024,” added Abrams.
This year, the Scoop Shop located in The Old Mill next to the theater is adding to the Free Cone Day fun factor with many of our community partners, including members of Bend Fire & Rescue, Bend Police Department, City Council Members, School Board Members, County Commissioners, and Military Veterans.
The beloved tradition has always been a way to give back to the community and thank fans for their support. It began in 1979 as cofounders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield survived their first winter – as a tiny, independent, two-person ice cream business – in the frozen tundra of Vermont. National Weather Service records dubbed it “the brutal winter of 1978-1979” as the average temperature reached a record low of 14.1°F and the winter season snowfall set a record of 52.9 inches.
Fans can stop by their local shop for a go-to favorite or ask about new flavors to try like the brand new Scoop Shop exclusive Mango and Sweet Cream or The Abrams Family favorite, Marshmallow Sky. Can’t decide? Don’t sweat it, as fans are welcome to try any and all available flavors and are encouraged to get back in line as many times as they’d like. Experienced fans understand it’s easiest to jump back in the queue on Free Cone Day with a scoop already in hand.
The Bend scoop shop will be open 12-8 on Free Cone Day.
