Rita’s Italian Ice to serve free ices on first day of spring

All Rita's locations will be giving away a custom-sized Italian... — All Rita's locations will be giving away a custom-sized Italian Ice all day Sunday to mark the first day of spring. Credit: Rita’s

By Melissa McCartmelissa.mccart@newsday.comMarch 20, 2016

To commemorate the first day of spring on Sunday, Rita’s Italian Ice in Oceanside, Farmingdale, Deer Park, Franklin Square and East Islip will be giving away free ices until 9 p.m.

Customers can choose any flavor to be served in a 7-ounce collector’s First Day of Spring cup.

The spring season also marks the return of custard to the menu, after Rita’s phased out the product last year due to a nationwide egg shortage.

Philadelphia fireman Bob Tumolo founded Rita’s in 1984, with a recipe for water ice similar to those served in his city’s Italian-American neighborhoods for generations. Today, there are more than 600 Rita’s locations around the world, including the five on Long Island.