An August, August 2023
Interesting Events in August 2023
It's August, a rather august month of possibilities. After December, August is the month with the fewest events each year.
I really love the cover photo on this issue. At dusk, I took this in 2012 at the entrance to Los Angeles' iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, catching this violet sunset with a dolphin coming up for air in the background. No PhotoShop here; this is the actual untouched negative. Being a California girl, this image makes me all warm and cuddly.
Someone asked what "LEEP" means. It's the "Lewis Event, Editorial and Promotional" calendar. A friend came up with that for me.
The primary theme of August is fun and back to school (which is fun for parents). Health observances focus on preventative care and annual check-ups. The Commonwealth countries enjoy their August Bank Holiday either at the beginning or end of the month, and the following nations observe national days.
Confederation Day occurs in Switzerland (August 1, 1291)
Constitution Day will happen in Equatorial New Guinea (August 15, 1982) and Kazakhstan (August 31, 1995).
Independence Day is celebrated in:
Afghanistan (August 19, 1919)
Benin (August 1, 1960)
Bolivia (August 6, 1825)
Central African Republic (August 13, 1960)
Chad (August 10, 1960)
Congo (August 15, 1960)
Côte d'Ivoire (August 7, 1960)
Ecuador (August 10, 1809)
Gabon (August 17, 1960)
India (August 15, 1947)
Indonesia (August 17, 1945)
Jamaica (August 7, 1962)
Kyrgyzstan (August 31, 1991)
Moldova (August 27, 1991)
Niger (August 3, 1960)
Pakistan (August 14, 1947)
South Korea (August 15, 1945/1948)
Trinidad and Tobago (August 31, 1962)
Ukraine (August 24, 1991)
Uruguay (August 25, 1825)
Singapore (August 9, 1965) and Macedonia (August 2, 1903) celebrate National Day, and the people of Hong Kong will mark Liberation Day (August 26, 1945).
Ready to dig into some summer (or winter if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) fun? We'll start in Scotland with the Highland Games of the Cowal Gathering.
COWAL GATHERING
Date: August 24-26, 2023
Location: Dunoon, Scotland, United Kingdom
Champion: City of Dunoon
The Cowal Gathering or Highland Games are traditional athletic, cultural, and social events celebrating Scottish heritage with a long and rich history dating back over a thousand years. Originally they were designed to test Scottish warriors' strength, skill, and agility and keep clan traditions alive. Today, the Highland Games have evolved into a celebration of Scottish culture, attracting participants and spectators worldwide.
Along with the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival (August 4-28, 2023), the Cowal Gathering is among two of the most popular late-summer events in the United Kingdom and Europe.
WORLD DOG SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Date: August 5, 2023
Location: Pacifica, California, United States
Champion: TCB Cafe Publishing
How do you know the silly season has arrived? It's time for the World Dog Surfing Championships in California, USA. The 'silly season' is what journalists use to describe late July through Labor Day, a time when so many people are on vacation that whimsical stories make it into the forward pages and local news broadcasts.
Dog surfing originated in Northern California and has spread to other nations with surf cultures.
The most popular and well-known dog surfing event is the World Dog Surfing Championships, which takes place in Pacifica, California. This event began in 2006 and has since attracted participants and spectators from all over the globe. In addition to the main surfing competition, the event often includes other activities like a dog fashion show, dog-friendly beach activities, and opportunities for dog adoption.
Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and skill levels can participate in these events. They are usually categorized based on size (small, medium, large, and extra-large) to ensure fair competition. Scoring in the match typically follows similar criteria as in human surfing, such as the length of the ride, wave difficulty, and the dog's style and confidence on the board.
Dog surfing events provide entertainment and friendly competition for the participants and serve as fundraisers for local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or other dog-related causes. The competition has become a successful charity fundraiser and a favorite event with dog lovers everywhere.
NATIONAL CUPCAKE MONTH
Dates: August 1-31, 2023
Location: Australia
Champion: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Australians celebrate National Cupcake Month to raise awareness and support the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The fundraiser covers the entire month, so Australians can choose any day to be their cupcake day.
Cupcakes (or pupcakes) are baked, handed out, and sold along with information about the work of the RSPCA and the animals it saves. It’s a tasty way to support animal rights, respect life and help make the world a little more loving and friendly, one cupcake at a time.
LUGHNASADH
Date: August 1, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Celtic and Wiccan Tradition
The Wiccan celebration of Lughnasadh marks the year's first harvest, one of the more critical observances in the faith. This day may also go by August Eve, Lammas Eve, Lady Day Eve, or the Feast of Bread.
Lughnasadh is one of the four major Celtic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane. Its origins trace back to ancient Celtic culture, specifically Ireland, traditionally observed on August 1, or halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. However, some will celebrate it on the Sunday closest to the 1st.
The festival gets its name from Lugh, a prominent deity in Irish mythology. According to the lore, Lugh held the first Lughnasadh festival in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu, a queen and earth goddess who died from exhaustion after clearing the lands of Ireland for agriculture.
Lughnasadh traditions and customs focus on the grain harvest, with feasting, market fairs, games, and competitions taking center stage. The 'first fruits' tradition dictates that the first crop harvested be celebrated as a meal. The bread made from the harvest is called 'Lammas,' from the Old English phrase 'hlaf-maesse,' which means 'loaf mass.' Ceremonies and rituals during Lughnasadh seek to ensure the harvest's continued success and the land's fertility. At dusk, bonfires burn to protect and cleanse, with celebrants jumping over the fires in search of blessings and purification.
The Celts consider grain a living entity necessary to sustain life. Its harvest symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.
Today, Wicca and Druidism celebrate Lughnasadh as a religious holiday, folding historical and regional traditions with personal spiritual beliefs. Typical means of celebration include rituals, feasting, storytelling, dancing, and presenting offerings to deities and spirits.
SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
Date: August 5-6, 2023
Location: New Orleans, United States
Champion: French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Satchmo Summerfest is an annual music festival held in New Orleans, Louisiana, celebrating the life and legacy of jazz great Louis Armstrong, born on August 4, 1901, also known as "Satchmo." The festival typically takes place over three days in mid-summer. It features a variety of musical acts, including traditional jazz, brass bands, and contemporary artists whom Armstrong's music has influenced.
In addition to musical performances, Satchmo Summerfest also features food and drinks from local restaurants and vendors, as well as a variety of activities and events, such as trumpet workshops, panel discussions, and tours of Armstrong's childhood home.
The festival is a popular event among locals and visitors to New Orleans. It attracts thousands of people each year who come to celebrate Armstrong's contributions to jazz and American music at Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans. Tremé is one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the United States and is known for its rich cultural heritage and history.
Satchmo Summerfest allows people to come together and enjoy the sounds of jazz and the city's spirit.
THE WORLD'S FAIR OF MONEY
Dates: August 8-12, 2023
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Champion: American Numismatic Association
The history of the World's Fair of Money dates back to the mid-20th century when the American Numismatic Association (ANA), founded in 1891, began holding annual conventions. Over time, these conventions evolved into what's now known as the World's Fair of Money. This event occurs in a different city each year, usually in the United States, attracting thousands of collectors, dealers, and the general public worldwide.
The World's Fair of Money aims to provide a platform for coin enthusiasts and collectors to come together. It includes auctions, educational forums, exhibits, and a bourse floor where dealers can buy and sell coins. It's an excellent opportunity for investors and collectors to meet with coin dealers, learn and add to their collections.
The highlight of the World's Fair of Money is the exhibit area, where rare and historically significant numismatic items are displayed—many seldom seen outside of a museum setting. The United States Mint and several foreign mints often have booths at the fair, offering the latest coin and medal releases. Representatives of various numismatic organizations and clubs are also present, making the World's Fair of Money a central hub for networking and knowledge-sharing among the numismatic community.
INTERNATIONAL GEOCACHING DAY
Date: August 19, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Groundspeak
Parents, if you want something to do with your children, this is it. No matter where you are, the age of your children, or what country, you can do this together, and your children will love it year-round. International Geocaching Day is the day when treasure hunters (geocachers) all around the world enjoy geocaching. This game involves a GPS (Global Positioning System) device to look for clues and prizes.
Geocaching is an outdoor adventure. Players use a free mobile app or a GPS device to find cleverly hidden containers worldwide.
There are over 20 million registered users on Geocaching.com, with over 1,600,000 in the United States, more than 500,000 in Germany, and more than 360,000 in Canada. Over 10 million geocaches are waiting to be found in over 190 countries.
Geocachers explore the world around them with friends and family. Geocaching is a game that reveals a world beyond every day. The possibility of a discovery hides under park benches, in the forest, and probably a short walk from where you are right now (literally).
GREAT RIVER TUG FEST
Date: August 10-12, 2023
Location: Mississippi River, LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, US
Champion: Port Byron Great River Tug Fest
The Great River Tug Fest takes municipal rivalry to a whole new level, with the towns of LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, challenging each other annually to a game of tug-of-war across the Mississippi River. Like so many crazy events, this one started with a group of men challenging each other in a bar.
The match is held on the second Thursday through Saturday in August and includes carnival rides, live entertainment, a large parade, food vendors, crafts, and other attractions. However, the main event is undoubtedly the tug-of-war across the Mississippi River, with the losing city getting soaked in America's biggest river and the winner claiming the title for the following year.
The tug-of-war tradition started in the 1980s and features a large 2,700-foot, 700-pound rope stretched across the river. Port Byron's team digs in on their side in Illinois, and LeClaire occupies the bank in Iowa. Boaters and river traffic gather in the center of the river for a front-row seat as both sides then engage in a titanic tugging match, pulling with all their might to claim victory.
The competition includes several categories, with men's, women's, and youth teams all participating. Typically around ten tug-of-war matches play out each year, with the cumulative wins determining which city is the year's victor.
RAKSHA BANDHAN
Date: August 30, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Hindu Observance
Raksha Bandhan (Siblings Day) is a celebration of sibling love observed on the purnima of Sawan in the Hindu calendar.
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient observance ripe with myth and historical legends. One recounts how the Rajput queens practiced the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighboring rulers as a token of fraternity. This legend is illustrated today by a sister tying a sacred thread, rakhi, on her brother's wrist to symbolize her love and prayers for her brother's well-being and his lifelong vow to protect her.
MIAMI SPICE
Dates: August 1 - September 30, 2023
Location: Greater Miami, Florida, US
Champion: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Initiated in 2001, Miami Spice is a two-month-long annual restaurant festival in Miami, Florida. Over 200 participating restaurants offer special three-course menus at reduced prices, usually for lunch/brunch and dinner, that showcase the best of Miami's diverse food scene, including Latin American, Caribbean, European, and American cuisines.
Miami Spice encourages locals and visitors to explore Miami's culinary experiences at a more affordable price. It is a unique opportunity to try high-end restaurants or new dining spots that people might not usually consider.
The official Miami Spice website includes the restaurants participating and the special menus for the event. These vary from year-to-year. Reservations are recommended, particularly at popular restaurants that tend to get booked quickly.
AUGUST MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Cowal Gathering (Multi-sport): August 24-26—United Kingdom
Dutch Grand Prix (Auto racing): August 27—Netherlands
FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup: August 25- September 10—Indonesia, Japan, Philippines
IAAF World Championships (Multi-sport): August 19-27—Hungary
Little League World Series (Baseball): August 16-27—United States
Sailing World Championships: August 10-20—Netherlands
Torneo della Quintana (Jousting): August 6—Italy
UCI Cycling World Championships: August 3-13—United Kingdom
US Open (Tennis): August 28 - September 10—United States
World Beach Games (Multi-sport): August 5-12—Indonesia
World Dog Surfing Championships: August 5—United States
FEATURED EVENT
S'MORES DAY
Date: August 10, 2023
Location: United States
Champion: Unofficial Event. No Sponsor.
National S'mores (slang for "some more") Day honors the three-ingredient camping treat made of graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and melted chocolate.
The recipe was first published in 1927 in the Camping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts, the Girl Scout Handbook. Since that first publishing, s'mores have ascended to the status of campfire cooking legend.
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I love s'mores, and thankfully they are halal.
Soon after arriving in Saudi Arabia, I had about twenty co-workers over to my home for a party. In the weeks leading up, I collected supplies. After a lot of hunting, I found graham crackers in Bahrain, flat chocolate bars (Swiss), and to my surprise, jumbo marshmallows. Luckily, the company commissary had these in stock temporarily; I bought five bags. Supplied, I was ready to try out my new firepit and outdoor living room set!
None of my international friends (Saudi, South Korea, Egypt, Portugal, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa) knew what a s'more was. I trotted out the ingredients, converted several wire hangers into skewers, and began toasting marshmallows over the fire pit. Soon a crowd gathered.
"What are you doing, Laura?" Mona, an Egyptian, asked.
"Something American you are going to love. Grab the graham crackers and cut that chocolate bar in thirds," I instructed, pointing to the box and bars.
Mona cut the bar, broke the graham cracker in half, placed the chocolate on top of one of the two pieces, and then motioned her to bring it to me on a plate. On my wire hanger, the giant marshmallow was turning golden brown.
Motioning to the plate with the graham cracker halves and chocolate, I asked, "Bring that here." Removing the marshmallow from the flame, I used the top graham cracker to slide the toasted marshmallow off the wire onto the bottom cracker and chocolate. Viola! Graham cracker, chocolate, toasted marshmallow, or in American, a s’more.
"Taste it," I suggested.
She did, and…"Mash’’allah! This is so good!"
Very quickly, the rest of my wire hanger skewers were sporting large marshmallows over the flame in an international tribute to toasting. S’mores were a hit in every language you can imagine, and my five bags of jumbo marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers quickly disappeared.
Food is the best ambassador. (I think I might also be responsible for the Eastern Province's peanut butter cookie addiction. That’s another story.) I never was able to get giant marshmallows at the company commissary again. For some reason, after that party, Lulu sold out as soon as they came in. Hmmm.
PS: Toasted Marshmallow Day is on August 30.
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That's a wrap! Thank you for the gift of your time, and please share, comment, and subscribe. Seriously, every new subscriber, like, and comment gets a happy dance from me. You make my day!
The next issue will cover September events as we barrel toward the official launch of the LEEP Calendar app online this fall. Twelve years of work, research, and creation have gone into this calendar. I can't wait for the launch. You will be the first to know! Enjoy your August.