PHOTOS: Gelati Celesti scoops up ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Day

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — National Ice Cream Day has arrived, and Gelati Celesti Ice Cream has found new sweet ways to celebrate the day.

On Sunday, July 20, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream celebrated ice cream with residents across Central Virginia.

From 12:01 to 1 a.m. on Sunday, the ice cream shop said that attendees can grab a free scoop for what they are describing as “some early fun with Midnight Madness.”

They scooped handmade flavors and offered some giveaways throughout the day in their 10 shops.

Ellie Brower said the normal day of preparation usually takes about an hour, but Sunday, on the hour, every 30 minutes, they gave away various prizes, including gift cards and T-shirts.

Brower emphasized many rotational flavors, which may vary from a day to a month of availability. On Sunday, they have pineapple upside down cake, lemon custard and raspberry peach.

On June 12, the ice cream shop and Science Museum of Virginia teamed up for a new, limited-time flavor -- Dino Tracks, which includes Oreo, pie crust chunks and marshmallows.

"I like seeing the smiles on people's faces and everyone being so hyped to get ice cream and hearing about people's day, whether it be like little small talk and whatnot," Natiya Bitts said.

"It draws a big crowd," Brower said. "We definitely get our regulars but [also] tons of people we've never seen before that are just excited about today."

Bitts said many attendees come from out of state.

Continue scrolling to see photos of how Gelati Celesti Ice Cream celebrated National Ice Cream Day.