Offbeat July Celebrations

July is a time of celebration. In the US July 4th commemorates the adoption of our nation's Declaration of Independence. Independence Day is celebrated with pyrotechnics, parades, and barbecues. There are some offbeat July holidays you may not be aware of such as, Sidewalk Egg Frying Day, also on July 4. Oatman, AZ has an annual solar frying contest. Besides eggs, try making solar s’mores with a box, foil, and some sun. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the heat. This can be a sweet follow-up to your egg frying.

Experience the grandeur of the annual Days of '47 Parade, one of the largest and oldest parades in the country. Cheer on the colorful floats, marching bands, equestrian units, and cultural performances as they make their way through downtown Salt Lake City and eventually to Liberty Park where a fireworks display can be viewed. This day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Pioneer Day is also celebrated in many parts of Idaho, where it is commonly known as Celebration Day. Family reunions are popular on or around July 24.

In 1984 Ronald Reagan deemed July National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of this month National Ice Cream Day. Other offbeat holidays include July 1: National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day July 2: World UFO Day July 6: International Kissing Day July 8: International Town Criers Day July 10: Teddy Bear Picnic Day July 11: Slurpee Day & World Population Day July 13: National French Fries Day July 14: National Nude Day & Bastille Day July 17: Yellow Pig Day July 19: National Flitch Day July 22: Doonerism Spay July 26: National Talk in an Elevator Day July 27: Bagpipe Appreciation Day July 29: National Lasagna Day