It’s a harbinger of spring that has been greeting Bostonians for 40 years.

The Ice Creamsmith, the homemade ice cream parlor in Lower Mills, opened on March 1 after its traditional winter hibernation. The family-owned store at 2295 Dorchester Ave. is marking it fortieth anniversary with promotions and prizes throughout the season. Promotions this year will include free ice cream on your 40th birthday, a daily drawing in March for an free ice cream sundae, a $40 gift certificate raffle in April and other raffles through the summer.

The business is owned and operated by Sarah Mabel-Skillin and her husband Chris Skillin. All of the ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet sold at the shop is made on the premises, and ice cream cakes, pies and pizzas are also available.

Besides the thirteen flavors on the menu, including special monthly flavors, there are also a number of “mixin’s” that can be hand-mixed into an ice cream portion to create a special flavor. There are also the usual ice cream concoctions, such as sundaes, frappes, banana splits, and the giant “Belt Buster” sundae.

The Skillins thank their loyal customers for The Ice Creamsmith’s 40 years of success, and say they plan to continue serving their “delicious homemade ice cream in a friendly, old-fashioned atmosphere.”