WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - Uhlman's Ice Cream in Westborough usually aims to open up for the season on March 1, but on leap years they take advantage of the extra day and kick off the year on Feb. 29.

Some ice cream connoisseurs were there Thursday to see the windows open for the first time this year.

“Well, that's a good way of saying addict I think, yeah, I'm more of addicted to ice cream than connoisseur," George Demetriou said. "Three years, I've been coming here. I actually live about 30 miles away in Westwood. So I came down here when I found out that the opening day was today, even though it's pretty chilly here, you know, but I love their ice cream.”

“I guess it's wonderful. This is unusual, they're open early like this," Mary Orfalea said. "Oh, we come all the time, once a week. My grandson and daughter, we love their ice cream. They make the best.”

“My wife and I try to be the first customer every season," Wayne Saari said. "So, today we succeeded. And I'm not sure I'll be the last, but I'll be here on the last day.”

The 2024 season marks 56 years of serving customers for Uhlman's Ice Cream. The shop has 76 flavors from family recipes. Owner Kelley Marston said they make and distribute about 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of ice cream a week.

This year, Uhlman's has added some new flavors like Blueberry Crumble, and they've expanded their vegan offerings. Marston said, as far as Uhlman's is concencered, spring begins once they start scooping ice cream for the year.

"When we open, it's spring," Marston said. "So, people always say it gets warmer, the sun starts to shine brighter, we're open, So, it's fun. We'll get the kids after school, they're so excited to get their first ice cream, even though it's pretty cold today. And they'll be here for the frappes this year. We're doing a ton of Girl Scout promotions, so we're doing like Thin Mint frappes and Samoa frappes and just lots of fun new stuff this year."

The season for Uhlman's Ice Cream goes through October. And as other local spots open up for the season, Green Hill Golf Course in Worcester will open for play on Saturday, March 2.