Dairy Queen is celebrating an early start to summer by giving away free vanilla ice cream cones.

Free cone day is Tuesday, March 15 – anyone who stops by one of Dairy Queen’s participating locations will get one small vanilla cone for free.

https://twitter.com/DairyQueen/status/709744997772308480

The restaurant chain will also be accepting donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. DQ has raised more than $100 million for the nonprofit in the past 30 years.

Last year, ice cream lovers donated more than $140,000 and more than 1,330 cones per store were served during the annual event, a news release says.

Mark your calendar for another chance to get free ice cream – Ben and Jerry’s free cone day is usually sometime in April, but a date isn't listed on the company's website.

There are at least five scoop shops in the Twin Cities.