Celebrate the first day of spring 2013 -- though it may not feel like it in some snow-covered places -- at Rita's which will be giving away free Italian ice Wednesday in honor of the Vernal Equinox.

Rita's Italian Ice is offering a free regular Italian ice to all customers for the first day of Spring 2013 on Wednesday. The Trevose, PA-based company, which is the nation's largest Italian Ice concept with 550 stores nationwide, is celebrating the 22st annual Free Ice Giveaway in honor of spring until 9 p.m.

Customers can snag a free Regular Ice of their choice and choose between traditional Italian Ice made with real fruit in over 50 flavors including Cherry, Alex's Lemonade, Mango, Swedish Fish®, Kiwi-Strawberry and Island Fusion, to name a few. Simply go to your local Rita’s and ask for a free Italian ice.

According to a press release, all Rita’s locations nationwide will be celebrating the free giveaway.  To find the nearest Rita's Italian Ice near you, visit www.ritasice.com for store locations to get a free Italian ice.

Rita's Italian Ice has been celebrating the Free Ice giveaway day annually since 1992 through its motto, Ice, Custard, Happiness. In 2012, Rita’s reported it gave away over 1.2 million cups of Italian ice over ten hours nationwide. This year, the company is expecting it give away Italian ice to 1.5 million customers.

In addition to the free Italian ice giveaway, Rita's is also hosting a Twitter and Instagram contest where guests can submit photos eating their free Italian ice in order to win free regular Italian ices for one year. To enter the contest, simply snap a photo of your “First Taste of Spring” at Rita’s and submit the photos on Twitter or Instagram beginning at noon on March 20 until midnight on March 22. Users must follow Rita’s on Twitter (@RitasItalianIce) or Instagram (@ritasice) and use the hashtag #RitasFirstDayofSpring to submit their “First Taste of Spring” photos.

Photos will be judged based on creativity and originality according to Rita’s. One winner will receive free regular ice for one year or one of five gift certificates. Winners will be notified on March 27 and formally announced on March 29.

View the photos below to see some of the best flavors of Italian Ice at Rita's.[[nid:110669]]

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