NATIONAL BLUEBERRY POPSICLE DAY

National Blueberry Popsicle Day on September 2nd also kicks off National Blueberry Popsicle Month. Scheduled in the midst of the dog days of summer, it’s a delicious way to cool off. Purchase a box of blueberry-flavored Popsicles or make your own. Either way, the treat will be a tasty one! With the end of summer at hand, now is the time to celebrate this National Day.

In San Francisco, California, in 1905, 11-yr-old Frank Epperson was outside on his porch, mixing water with a white powdered flavoring to make soda.  Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it.  That night the temperature reached a record low and the following morning, Frank discovered the drink had frozen to the stick.

Years later, in 1922, Epperson introduced his treat at a fireman’s ball where it was a huge success. Then in 1923, he made and sold his frozen treat-on-a-stick at an amusement park in Alameda, California.  Epperson applied for a patent in 1924 for his frozen confectionery, which he called “Epsicle” ice pop.  He then renamed it “Popsicle“.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #BlueberryPopsicleDay

Be sure to get yourself a blueberry Popsicle and use #BlueberryPopsicleDay to post on social media. Here is an Easy Homemade Blueberry Popsicles Recipe to try out. We have some other terrific ideas for a berry blueberry celebration:

  • Share a Blueberry Popsicle recipe with us. If you do, we will be sure to give you credit, too!
  • Bring blueberry popsicles to share at work, school or with friends.
  • Order some blueberries from your favorite store.
  • Take a selfie as you enjoy your frozen treat.
  • Bring blueberry Popsicles to a game or the beach in a cooler packed with ice.
  • Add a blueberry Popsicle to your favorite carbonated clear soda. It will cool your drink and flavor it, too!

Don’t forget to share your Blueberry Popsicle celebration on social media, too. Use #NationalBlueberryPopsicleDay.

NATIONAL CHERRY POPSICLE DAY

Each summer on the 26th of August, Popsicle lovers across the United States enjoy National Cherry Popsicle Day.

An 11-year-old Frank Epperson inspired the creation when he invented the original popsicle back in 1905. After mixing up a powdered soda, he left the beverage overnight with the stirring stick in it. Temperatures dropped unusually low that night and the next morning, Epperson found the liquid frozen on the stick. He dubbed the creation the Epsicle.

It wasn’t until years later, in 1922 during a fireman’s ball, that he introduced his frosty treat.  With the Popsicle’s huge success, Epperson proceeded to make and sell his frozen sweetness at an amusement park in Alameda, California.  By 1924, Epperson applied for a patent by that name, too. Sometime later, he changed the name to Popsicle.

Popsicle is the name brand of a frozen juice concoction on a stick. However, it’s so common, many people use the word for all frozen juice pops. Other name brand products that became household words include Kleenex, Crock-Pot, and Chapstick. But hundreds exist! The word for this phenomenon is called an eponym. 

Of course, as one of the summertime’s favorite treats, this celebration honors one of the top flavors of Popsicles!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #CherryPopsicleDay

Have some fun and try making one of the following Cherry Popsicle recipes:

Cherry Coconut Pops
Homemade Cherry Popsicles
Cherry Lime Ice Pops

Use #CherryPopsicleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH

National Blueberry Month is an annual designation observed in July.

DaVinci Gourmet Sugar Free Blueberry Syrup, 750 mL Plastic Bottle

by DaVinci Gourmet
DaVinci Gourmet Sugar Free Blueberry Syrup, 750 mL Plastic Bottle

by DaVinci Gourmet

This once wild berry became domesticated during the early 1900s thanks to the observations of Elizabeth Coleman White and the research of Dr. Frederick V. Coville. Before their efforts, wild blueberries were never successfully transplanted and raised in any farming operation for personal or commercial production. The only way to enjoy fresh blueberries was to seek them out where they grew naturally.

Kodiak Cakes - Protein-Packed Muffin Mix Blueberry - 14 oz.

by Kodiak
Kodiak Cakes – Protein-Packed Muffin Mix Blueberry – 14 oz.

by Kodiak
These are great for low carb, Keto diets. No guilt and all of the flavor.

Through the efforts of White and Coville, today producers and private gardeners bring to fruition these amazingly delicious berries. Whether from farm to table or from the farmer to the grocer to you, these vibrant berries pack a punch in vitamins and health benefits.  They make a great snack all on their own or enhance a meal, make stellar desserts or sauces.  Whatever this berry does, it does with panache!

Duncan Hines Simple Mornings Muffin Mix - Blueberry Streusel - 20.5 oz - 2 Pack

by Duncan Hines
Duncan Hines Simple Mornings Muffin Mix – Blueberry Streusel – 20.5 oz – 2 Pack

by Duncan Hines

Related observances:
National Blueberry Muffin Day
National Blueberry Pie Day
Red, Blue & Cheesecake Salad
Flag Cake, Blueberry Popsicle Day,

HISTORY

National American Blueberry Council founded National Blueberry Month. It was officially recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture in 2003.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy some fresh blueberries! They’re in season, and they are ripe for the picking. Check if there is a farm nearby where you can harvest your own. Use #NationalBlueberryMonth to share on social media. 

NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY

The last Thursday of June is reserved for enjoying a summertime favorite.  It’s National Bomb Pop Day!   Invented in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bomb Pops are also known as the red, white and blue Popsicle.  Having one of these frozen treats is a terrific way to kick off the upcoming 4th of July celebrations in your community!

History

On July 30, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy created the Bomb Pop. Bomb Pop was given a trademark in 1971. Merritt Foods, owned by D.S. Abernethy, closed its doors in 1991, and Wells’ Dairy acquired the firm, along with Bomb Pops.

The Walt Disney Company and Wells’ Dairy agreed to jointly produce Buzz Lightyear Bomb Pops in 2003.

There have been several legal disputes between rivals selling similar-looking popsicles in 2014, but they were ultimately resolved.

Today….

The Bomb Pop is a frozen treat that Wells Enterprises now produces. Cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavorings are present in the original flavor. There are nine primary Bomb Pop varieties as of 2015.[ Presently available varieties of Bomb Pop include Original, Fruit Bomb, Watermelon, Hawaiian Punch, Warheads, Jolly Rancher, Original Sugar Free, Banana Fudge, Lemonade, Tongue Splashers, and Nerds.

Here are some additional details that you may find interesting:

  • It is a popular treat for Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
  • The Bomb Pop is also known as the Firecracker Popsicle.
  • The name “Bomb Pop” was inspired by the Cold War, which was happening at the time the popsicle was invented.
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HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy one of these frozen treats and use #NationalBombPopDay to share on social media.

SUMMERSGIVING

The Saturday after the Summer Solstice, gather your friends and family to celebrate Summersgiving! This day is designed to combine all the fun of summer with America’s favorite Thanksgiving food. It’s a celebration of life, rooted in gratitude, to be shared with the friends and food that make life fun.

Everyone has a favorite holiday food or tradition, and Summersgiving provides the opportunity to bring them all together under the sun and stars for one big celebration. Make a feast and share the dishes that mean celebration with a broader crowd of friends and family. Let the joy and fun memories grow year after year!

SUMMERSGIVING HISTORY

Around the year 2009, Robert Solomon created a Thanksgiving BBQ with his best friends to celebrate summer and all the food he thought he could only have at Thanksgiving. He loves turkey and all the rich side dishes that come with it. They drank cranberry martinis into the night, and Summersgiving was born from a love of great food, great drinks, and great friends.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #Summersgiving

    Grab the turkey (what Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without one) and serve it with all your favorite holiday foods and eat them in celebration of the day. Or, reinvent the holiday classics and share your Summersgiving favorites on social media with #Summersgiving. Be sure to invite all your friends and family and tell everyone it’s time to party Summersgiving style.