Rita’s In Fairfax City Celebrates First Day Of Spring With Free Ice Giveaway

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will mark the first day of spring by giving away approximately one million cups of free Italian ice and launching a new mystery flavor in partnership with the PEEPS Brand.

The annual promotion, scheduled for Friday, March 20, will offer a free 6-ounce Italian ice to guests at all 600-plus Rita’s locations nationwide, including the Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard location at 10726 Fairfax Blvd. in Fairfax City.

This year’s celebration includes a collaboration with Just Born Quality Confections, the makers of PEEPS. The partnership features a "Mystery PEEPS Italian Ice," a white-colored treat with a hidden flavor profile intended to mimic the marshmallow candy.

"For so many people, Rita’s and the PEEPS Brand are tied to the simple joys and sweet memories that define spring," said Carmela Hughley, Rita’s senior vice president of marketing insights and innovation.

From March 20 through March 29, the company will hold a flavor-guessing contest. Fans who correctly identify the mystery flavor via the company's website will be entered to win prizes, including free Rita’s ice for a year and branded merchandise.

In addition to the mystery flavor, Rita’s will offer PEEPS Marshmallow Chick toppers for its frozen treats throughout the season.

"Transforming a beloved PEEPS Marshmallow flavor into Italian Ice allowed us to introduce our iconic sweetness in a completely new format," said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for PEEPS.

While the giveaway takes place on the spring equinox, most Rita’s locations officially opened for the 2026 season on March 1. The mystery treat is one of seven new flavors the Pennsylvania-based chain plans to debut this year.

Founded in 1984 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Rita’s has grown into the world’s largest Italian ice concept. Just Born Quality Confections, a third-generation family-owned business based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has produced PEEPS and other candy brands for over a century.