First Day of Spring: March 20th, Freebies include Rita's, Dunkin Donuts, Dairy Queen, Outback, Orbitz, Thanks to Vernal Equinox

Happy Spring! As today, March 20th, marks the first day of spring in 2013, retailers everywhere celebrate the "vernal equinox" by offering freebies as the new season begins to bloom.

Everybody knows that the first day of spring=FREE Rita's Italian Ice. The nation's largest Italian ice concept will once again be celebrating this year. 2013 marks its 21st year of giving away free ice in a limited edition cup at all locations, found in 20 states across the US, notes gobankingrates.com.

However, the spring savings on this fabulous day include retailedrs other than Rita's.

"As you prepare for increasing daylight, warmer temperatures, the regrowth of trees and flowers, and lots of rain, you can also take advantage of great deals retailers are offering around the vernal equinox 2013. It's a great way to celebrate the season's change," says Stacey Bumpus, expert contributor to GoBankingRates.

In addition to the well-known Rita freebies, here's some other great offers as we spring into the warmer weather:

• Orbitz: Save 15 percent on hotel stays via Orbitz.com. Hotel must be booked by March 20 with travel by March 31, 2013. Promo code: SPRING15.
• Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen is giving away free cones on Wednesday at participating locations for Free Cone Day.
• Outback Steakhouse: Through March 25, 2013, get a coupon for $10 off two entrees by signing up through Facebook, Twitter or email through the restaurant's website.
• Dunkin' Donuts: Get a free 16 oz iced coffee at any time on March 20th. No purchase necessary. At select locations; check with your local Dunkin' Donuts.
• Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park: Enjoy a $25 2-Hour Tubing/Mountain Adventure Park combo for walk-in reservations only in Conway, NH by March 20, 2013. The website offers an e-coupon.
• FunJet Vacations: Funjet is providing discounts of up to $150 on trips to Florida or Arizona to cheer on your favorite baseball team as they get ready for the season. Use promo code BASEBALL1. Vacation must be booked by March 20, 2013.
• Frozen Peaks: Visit one of this New Jersey-based frozen yogurt shop's locations on March 20th between 4 and 7 p.m. to get five ounces of frozen yogurt for free.

Another name for the first day of spring is vernal equinox. The word equinox comes from Latin and means "equal night," acknowledging that days and nights will be approximately equal everywhere on this day.

As if we weren't already excited enough for this day, which marks the move towards warmer weather, sunshine, flip flops, and exchanging our "albino" complextions in for a healthier look, now we can enjoy all of these great deals today as well!