8 National Ice Cream Day freebies and deals on Long Island

If you're in the mood for a cold, sweet treat this weekend, Long Island ice cream shops and grocery stores are offering National Ice Cream Day freebies and discounts. The food holiday falls on Sunday. And for a reliable sweet treat even without an extra deal, consider visiting one of Newsday's Best Ice Cream spots featuring many independent shops where the treat is made and scooped right there on the premises.

Dairy Queen

A fast-food restaurant known for its ice cream is giving rewards members the opportunity to receive a free dilly bar, limited to one per person. To redeem a free dilly bar coupon, download the DQ app and sign up to become a rewards member, place an order over $1, then select your reward. (Now through Sunday) 

Insomnia Cookies

You can receive a free cup of ice cream after a $5 purchase at any Insomnia Cookies from July 17-19. (Friday to Sunday)

Stop & Shop

The grocery chain with more than a dozen Long Island locations will give away a free 1.5-quart Stop & Shop brand ice creams while supplies last. Customers can check in at the in-store Savings Station kiosks where they will receive a digital coupon in their Stop & Shop Go Rewards account. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one to receive the ice cream with no purchase necessary. (Friday to July 23)

Friendly's

Rewards members get a free scoop of ice cream in a cup or cone. To become a member, download the Friendly's app and create an account. (Sunday)

Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace

An Italian market is serving up two scoops of handcrafted gelato for a discount, at $2.50. Get any flavor in a cup or cone in Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace locations, excluding East Meadow, Massapequa and Port Washington. (Sunday)

Petco

A pet store wants to include dogs in on the fun. With locations in Plainview, Huntington, Massapequa, West Babylon, Wantagh, and more, Petco will give one free doggy ice cream cup per dog, while supplies last. For more locations check the website here. (Sunday)

Carvel

Carvel is giving 500 contest winners a gift card for a free small Carvelanche. To enter, submit a picture of a dessert disaster to carvel.com/DessertDisaster up until July 24.

Cold Stone Creamery

The National Ice Cream Day "sweepstakes" has two ways to participate. The first way is to follow the official Cold Stone Creamery Instagram page (@ColdStone) and the official Oreo Instagram page (@Oreo), then like and comment on the Cold Stone Creamery’s Instagram post promoting this giveaway. The other way is to email cscsocialmedia@kahalamgmt.com with a subject line of "Cold Stone Creamery National Ice Cream Day Giveaway Sweepstakes Entry," and provide your full name, email and mailing address, and a phone number. Five Grand Prize winners chosen randomly will receive a $450 e-gift card, a Cold Stony Creamery Sweatshirt and Oreo merchandise. 10 First Prize winners chosen randomly will receive a $25 gift card and Cold Stone Creamery merchandise. (July 20 to 23)