I have a brain buster for you: What goes up when the rain comes down? I’ll give you a hint. This thing was originally created to help block the sun. Need another hint? Mary Poppins was known to carry one. Still haven’t guess it? Well, Rihanna famously sang about this object. Think you know it now? If your answer was an umbrella, then you are correct! (Good luck getting those song lyrics out of your head now.)

March is National Umbrella Month, which I was surprised to learn seeing as the saying goes “April showers bring May flowers”… but perhaps Thomas Edward Knibb originated National Umbrella Month in March to ensure everyone was ready for the April showers. According to Abby Eyers of Associated Content, the average household is said to have an average of 3.8 umbrellas. The basic umbrella was invented over four thousand years ago. It was the Chinese who waterproofed them for rain protection, and then in the 1900s the umbrella, which we are familiar with today, was invented.

If you’re a Northwest Florida resident, or planning to visit, make sure you check out The Foo Foo Festival held in downtown Pensacola.

HOW TO OBSERVE

So, now that you know it is National Umbrella Month, let’s celebrate! Use #NationalUmbrellaMonth to post on social media… tell the world how you are choosing to honor National Umbrella Month.

You can start by going out and getting a new umbrella (be sure to buy one that makes you smile on a rainy day!) or if you discover that you have developed a collection of them through-out the years, you can donate a few to a local homeless shelter, or the nearest Goodwill. Umbrellas can also be a fun new decoration for your patio or front door. Or, if you’re looking for some extra fun, you could walk up to a stranger on a rainy day and sing Rihanna’s famous words “You can stand under my umbrella, ella ella, eh eh eh.” Whichever way you choose to celebrate, make sure you take some time to dance in the puddles, smell the fresh rain, and look for the rainbow after the storm!