Blue Bell scooping free ice cream tastes on Thursday

Blue Bell's Classic Homemade Vanilla, the brand's flagship flavor, is seen in this courtesy photo. On March 3, Blue Bell Ice Cream is opening a 12,000-square-foot distribution facility at 6957 Speedway Blvd. in North Las Vegas and beginning distribution to retail outlets around the valley.

Blue Bell Ice Cream — beloved of Texas expatriates and, it seems, most anybody else who’s tried it — will be available in Las Vegas starting Monday (March 3), in Albertsons, Food 4 Less, Smith’s, Walgreens and Wal-Mart stores and at Glazier’s Food Marketplace, as well as at some other independent supermarkets, drugstores and convenience stores.

They’re being served from a distribution center in North Las Vegas. The company is adamant that, for quality-control purposes, only Blue Bell employees handle its product until the customer buys it.

Oh, and Blue Bell half-gallons are still half-gallons.

If you want to find out what all the fuss is about, you don’t have to spend a dime. Blue Bell tastings are scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday (March 6) at Glazier’s, 8525 W. Warm Springs Road, and Albertsons at 7075 W. Ann Road. There will be tastings from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday (March 7) at Wal-Mart at 1807 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas and Smith’s at 7130 N. Durango Drive, and from noon to 2 p.m. March 13 in the lobby of Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St.