Happy first day of spring and treat yourself to a free cone today ...

March 19 marks the first day of spring, and Dairy Queen is celebrating the season with free soft serve.

Isn’t that pretty sweet?

The 8th annual free cone day has returned, the fast-food chain announced.

“Even if you (like us) enjoyed our world-famous DQ soft serve in the depths of winter, a cone just hits differently when the ground begins to thaw,” Dairy Queen said in a news release.

Iowans aren’t totally escaping the cold yet — the National Weather Service is forecasting possible snow in Des Moines this weekend — it’s fun to look ahead to a season of milder temperatures and plenty of cold treats to cool down with.

When is free cone day at Dairy Queen?

Tuesday, March 19 is free cone day at Dairy Queen. Get yourself a free, small vanilla cone at participating non-mall locations while supplies last, according to Dairy Queen. The offer isn’t valid on delivery or mobile orders, and the limit is one per person.

How many Dairy Queens are there in Iowa and where can I find one near me?

There are 99 Dairy Queens in Iowa, according to the fast food chain’s store directory, with several located in the Des Moines metro. Find a location near you by visiting dairyqueen.com/locations.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.