August Is…

The First Friday in August is…
International Beer Day celebrates all things beer, from its history and culture to the people who create it and enjoy it. It’s a day to recognize brewers and their craftsmanship, to share experiences with friends and family, and to toast one another for the efforts put into making some of our favorite beverages. 

National Water Balloon Day was originally launched by the town of Newmarket, New Hampshire, in 2019. The earliest known reference to water balloons was in a patent filed in 1844 by J.G. Ingram, who described a “water-ball” made of rubber that could be filled with water and thrown.

The First Saturday in August is…
National Disc Golf Day: Disc golf is where players throw a flying disc, or Frisbee, into a basket or target. The goal is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws. The sport is played on a course, similar to traditional golf, with a set number of holes, and the layout and terrain of the course can vary widely. The sport is governed by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). On August 2, 1974, the disc golfers in Rochester, NY, decided to make their annual City of Rochester Disc Golf Championship a big national tournament to find out how many other people around the country were playing disc golf.

Jamaican Patty Day was founded in 2015 by Golden Krust, a US-owned Caribbean fast-casual restaurant. A Jamaican Patty is a popular snack food in Jamaica, typically made with ground beef, spices, and sometimes other ingredients such as vegetables or cheese. The patty is then deep-fried or baked and served in a soft, flaky pastry shell. It is often served as a snack or part of a meal, such as Jamaican Jerk Chicken or Oxtail Soup.

Mustard Day was founded by Jill Sengstock in 1988, and in 1991, the National Mustard Museum took the holiday as its own. Mustard as a condiment has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations. The ancient Romans were known to mix ground mustard seeds with unfermented grape juice, known as “must,” to create a spicy condiment. Monks in the medieval monasteries of Europe began to make mustard by mixing ground mustard seeds with a liquid, such as vinegar or wine, to create a paste. This type of mustard quickly became a popular condiment throughout Europe and was used as a seasoning for various foods. During the 18th century, mustard began to be produced on a larger scale and sold as a prepared condiment. The first commercial mustard plant was established in Dijon, France, in 1777. This new type of mustard, made with brown mustard seeds and verjuice (a type of unripe grape juice), became known as “Dijon mustard,” and it is still popular today.

National Play Outside Day (Every month) encourages people to get outside and enjoy spending time in nature and the great outdoors. People are encouraged to explore parks, forests, beaches, mountains, and other outdoor locations to experience all that nature offers.

Mead Day celebrates mead, an ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey, water, and yeast. The day celebrates the history and rich cultural heritage of this beverage, which has been enjoyed for centuries by people all over the world. This is a time to learn about the wide varieties of mead and how it’s made and to sample some unique mead recipes.

National Summit Day is a day to appreciate (and climb) hills, mountains, and high locations. backpacks are suggested but not required. It also recognizes the importance of bringing people together to reach their fullest potential. People are encouraged to gather in groups and discuss personal development, self-improvement, career growth, and networking opportunities. 

National Friendship Day is dedicated to celebrating and appreciating our relationships with our friends. It was first established by Hallmark Cards in 1919, and is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of August each year. On this day, people worldwide recognize their friendships and celebrate the bonds they share with those they cherish.

Sisters Day was created in 1998 by Claudia Evart to honor her two sisters who had passed away. She hoped the day would bring families closer together and strengthen sisterly relationships.

National Garage Sale Day was created in 2001 by C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama in the U.S. after he saw his neighbors continuously hold garage sales seemingly every weekend. Garage sales, also known as yard sales or tag sales, can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. These sales typically occurred when families wanted to get rid of unwanted or unused items and would set up tables in their garages or yard to sell them. The popularity of garage sales grew in the post-World War II era as suburbanization increased and families had more space to store and accumulate items.

Over the years, garage sales have continued to be a popular way for people to declutter their homes and make some extra money. They are often held on weekends and advertised in local newspapers or online classifieds. Some communities even organize large-scale garage sale events, community sales, or neighborhood sales, where multiple households participate. In recent years, virtual garage sales have been introduced as people started to use social media and online marketplaces to sell unwanted items.

The purpose of World Honeybee Day is to educate people about the vital role that honeybees and other pollinators play in our ecosystem and the importance of protecting them. Activities on World Honeybee Day include honey tastings, beekeeping demonstrations, and educational events that teach people about the importance of bees and other pollinators. Beekeepers celebrate the event, along with farmers, scientists, educators, and other bee enthusiasts, for the importance of honeybees in pollination and honey production.