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Minnesotans Brave Cold for Beloved Dairy Queen’s Annual Spring Opening
MOORHEAD, Minn. — As the temperature hovered just above single digits on Sunday, a line of bundled-up customers stretched along the sidewalk outside Moorhead’s historic Dairy Queen. For these Minnesotans, the annual March 1 opening of the 77-year-old walk-up ice cream shop signals something more meaningful than just the availability of frozen treats — it marks the unofficial arrival of spring.
“It just says that we’re tough, and there are things that are really important to us,” said Jerry Protextor, a retired pastor waiting patiently for his butterscotch milkshake and chocolate-mint Blizzard. “It’s just a part of community.”
Despite March typically remaining firmly within winter’s grip in the Upper Midwest, the opening of this Dairy Queen “heritage store” represents hope and continuity for local residents. Owners Troy and Diane DeLeon understand the deeper significance their business holds, especially during uncertain times.
“It’s a sense of unity. It’s a tradition for many families,” Diane DeLeon explained.
The cultural importance of the opening day is evident in the numbers — approximately 1,200 customers visit on March 1 each year. Some enthusiasts arrive hours early, waiting in their vehicles for the chance to be first in line, which comes with year-long bragging rights in the community.
Julie Bergseid secured this year’s coveted first-place position by arriving before 7 a.m., after finishing second for two consecutive years.
“Usually there’s a little bit of a line after a bit, so you gotta get here before they start,” she said. “It’s momentous that this is the start of spring, no matter what the temperature. This starts it, going to the DQ, getting your first ice cream of the season.”
Fully equipped for the Minnesota cold in snow pants, long underwear, wool socks, and mittens, Bergseid planned to enjoy her barbecue sandwich, Peanut Buster Parfait, and Dilly bar at one of the patio tables. “It won’t melt. That’s the nice thing,” she noted with a practical Midwestern sensibility.
What sets this particular Dairy Queen apart from corporate locations is its extensive menu of nostalgic treats no longer available elsewhere. Customers can order specialties like the Mr. Malty (a chocolate malt frozen on a stick), Curly Shake (a shake topped with a sundae), Monkey Tail (a frozen chocolate-dipped banana), and discontinued Blizzard flavors that have disappeared from standard DQ menus years ago.
“It’s just that we have always had and made those special treats through the years. Even though they’ve been discontinued, we still have them because we have the ingredients and why not make it?” Troy DeLeon said. “If you still have the ingredients, ‘give the customer what they want’ is our feeling.”
The store’s age grants it certain exceptions from corporate standardization, allowing the DeLeons to maintain these unique offerings. Protextor specifically highlighted the butterscotch milkshake, which his wife favors and can’t find at any other local Dairy Queen.
“We have to go to the right Dairy Queen to do what she wants,” he explained.
The scene outside featured customers in winter attire patiently waiting their turn to approach the ordering windows. Unlike most modern fast-food establishments, this Dairy Queen operates without mobile apps or self-service kiosks, relying instead on traditional face-to-face customer service.
The atmosphere felt almost like summer, with families bringing children and dogs, taking photos beneath the towering Dilly bar statue — a tribute to the beloved chocolate-coated ice cream treat created at this very location in the 1950s.
“This is beautiful today. I mean, it’s a little chilly, but the sun’s shining, it will get a little warmer,” Troy DeLeon observed. “Typically it’s either snowing or probably closer to zero or below zero, so this is a beautiful day.”
The Moorhead Dairy Queen typically remains open until late October, creating a seven-month season that locals celebrate from first cone to last. In a region known for its harsh winters, this sweet tradition provides both comfort and continuity, regardless of what the thermometer reads.
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6 Comments
Tradition and community are so important, especially in uncertain times. The Dairy Queen sounds like a true heritage business that brings people together in a special way each year. I’d love to experience that sense of unity and hope for spring.
As a fellow Midwesterner, I can relate to the community pride and resilience the Dairy Queen opening must represent. Braving the cold for a sweet treat is a small but meaningful act that connects people to each other and the changing seasons. What a special tradition!
It’s wonderful to see a business that really understands and embraces its role in the local culture. The Dairy Queen’s March 1 opening sounds like a delightful annual ritual that Minnesotans cherish. I can imagine the joy of indulging in a Blizzard or milkshake as winter melts away.
A 77-year-old walk-up ice cream shop sounds like the perfect place to experience the changing of the seasons in Minnesota. I can just imagine the excitement and anticipation as locals line up for their first Blizzard or milkshake of the year – a delightful tradition!
What a lovely tradition! The Dairy Queen’s annual spring opening must be a real community event. I can just picture Minnesotans bundling up and lining up for their favorite frozen treats despite the cold – that’s dedication!
How heartwarming to read about a business that truly understands and celebrates its role in the community. The Dairy Queen’s March 1 opening sounds like a beloved annual ritual that brings people together and signals the hope of spring. What a special way to mark the changing seasons.