Soft-serve ice cream signals spring’s start in Regina

It’s a sign that spring is surely on its way.

Shelley Patterson from Dessart Sweets in Regina’s Cathedral area says her soft-serve ice cream is ready to go.

“People are pretty excited about it. I actually could have started it last week when it started warming up but it’s still chilly at minus-30,” Patterson said. “It means the weather is warm so everybody’s in a good mood.”

Her business is open year-round but soft-serve only starts in mid-March and is offered until October.

During the off-season, she serves hard ice cream, orders supplies and fixes equipment.

“It’s pretty great. It’s a really nice feeling when people can shed layers and come in and (you) make people happy with their ice cream,” she said.

Patterson has 40 different flavours of soft-serve ice cream. For something more unique, Dessart also offers a peanut butter and pickle sundae.

Elsewhere in Regina, Milky Way Ice Cream is expected to open today.

The ice cream parlour typically sees lineups on its first day of business, marking the unofficial start to spring.