Wednesday, April 27, 2011 marked the fifth annual 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins, and ice cream lovers came out in droves to take advantage of the great deal.

“Everybody comes out of the woodwork for Scoop Night,” said employee Kyle Walker.

Indeed, Wednesday night, every space in the parking lot was full, with additional cars waiting for a spot or parking at a nearby gas station.

In addition to the store’s regular business, “we waited on approximately  250 extra transactions–and that’s just transactions. Some of those are families six or seven people deep,” said manager Adam Dove.

Dove has worked all five 31  Cent Scoop Nights. Attendance, he said, seemed to be slightly less this year than last. However, he still had to make preparations for the night.

“I stockpile about an extra 20 tubs of ice cream, and then you have your extra cups, spoons and lids,” Dove said.

With all of that ice cream, it seemed hard for some to pick just one favorite flavor. Choices ranged from mint chocolate chip to pralines and cream to orange sherbert–and, of course, the classic favorites, chocolate and vanilla.

Baskin-Robbins will donate $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as part of “Scooping up Thanks for Our Firefighters.”

Baskin-Robbins is located at 3620 Franklin Road SW in Roanoke. Read more here.