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. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Aug

Watermelon Day, Ntl.: August 3

06:20 AM | -

Watermelon is 92% water, which makes it the perfect summer treat. The National Watermelon Board champions National Watermelon Month in July and National Watermelon Day on August 3rd. Best way to celebrate? Enjoy some watermelon. Check out the organization's website at http://www.watermelon.org for recipes you can enjoy year around.

Africa

Aug

Lollapalooza, Chicago (US-IL): August 1-4 (est)

06:20 AM | -

Created in 1991 in Chicago, Lollapalooza is an annual music festival that features an eclectic collection of popular music genres, including alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. The festival was created by Perry Farrell, the lead singer of the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, in 1991 as a farewell tour for his band and has since evolved into a significant event, attracting thousands of music fans worldwide. Lollapalooza began as a touring festival, visiting multiple cities across the United States. However, it faced financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, leading to its cancellation in 2004. The festival returned in 2005 as a weekend-long event in Grant Park, Chicago. Over the years, many notable acts have performed at Lollapalooza, such as Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and countless others. The festival continues to be a significant event in live music and remains an essential destination for music fans. Typically, the festival includes eight stages, 170+ bands, an art market, shopping, a children's mini-fest, and Chow Town, with food from local restaurants showcasing the variety and quality of their menu selections. In recent years, Lollapalooza has expanded to other countries, with events in France, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Sweden. The festival is known for its diverse lineup of established and up-and-coming artists and its variety of art installations, food vendors, and other attractions. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are unknown until a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Aug

Czech Festival, Ntl (US-NE): August 2-4

06:20 AM | -

The National Czech Festival in Wilber, Nebraska, is an annual. Nearly 50,000 people attend each year to celebrate Czech culture with food, dance, handicrafts, completions, and music. Annually the first weekend of August, the festival originated in 1962.

Africa

Aug

Tall Timber Days (US-MN): August 2-4

06:20 AM | -

Lumberjack competitions, pet shows, parades, teen craft competitions, music, food, and fun, the Tall Timber Days festival is the largest timber industry-themed event in the Midwest. The event draws over ten thousand visitors annually. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are unknown until a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Aug

Twins Days, Ntl. (US-OH): August 2-4

06:20 AM | -

National Twins Days occurs every year in Twinsburg, Ohio. Founded by Charles R. DeHaven, this yearly gathering draws the largest crowds of twins all around the globe. During this three-day celebration, the scientific community also observes fraternal and identical twins' behavioral patterns and genetic traits. Twinsburg was created by Moses and Aaron Wilcox, identical twins who lived in the 19th century. Together they purchased 4,000 acres of land and renamed it Twinsburg. DeHaven capitalized on the name, and twins have gathered in Ohio ever since.

Africa

Aug

Jabotinsky Day (IL): August3/4

06:20 AM | -

Jabotinsky Day is a holiday in Israel that honors the life and legacy of Vladimir Jabotinsky, a prominent Zionist leader, author, and military strategist. The holiday is observed annually on the Hebrew date of 29th Tammuz, which usually falls in July. Jabotinsky was a central figure in the Zionist movement and one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the early 20th century. He was a strong advocate for Jewish self-defense, including pre-emptive defense, and a proponent of a Jewish state in Palestine. Jabotinsky founded several Zionist organizations, including the Revisionist Zionists and the Betar youth movement. Jabotinsky Day became a national holiday in Israel in 2005. On this day, various events and activities are held throughout Israel to commemorate Jabotinsky's life and work and to promote the dogma of Zionism. Schools and educational institutions focus on Jabotinsky's legacy and his contributions to Zionist history and culture.

Africa

Aug

Jazz, Satchmo Summerfest (US-LA)(1901): August 3-4 (est)

06:20 AM | -

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 the late summer, and features a variety of musical acts, including traditional jazz, brass bands, and contemporary artists who 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 is a celebration of the music, culture, and history of New Orleans, and it provides an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the sounds of jazz and the spirit of the city.

Africa

Aug

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day (AU): August 4

06:20 AM | -

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day began on August 4, 1988. The annual event focuses on education, awareness, and celebration of the native children and their heritage.

Africa

Aug

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Ntl.: August 4

06:20 AM | -

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day celebrates chocolate chip cookies. Ruth Graves Wakefield created chocolate chip cookies in Massachusetts in 1938. She broke a Nestle chocolate bar into pieces and added the chips to her cookie recipe. Because of the recipe's popularity, Nestle agreed to print the recipe on the back of the chocolate bar. By 1940, Nestle began selling chocolate chip packs.

Africa

Aug

Clouded Leopard Day, Int.: August 4

06:20 AM | -

Clouded Leopard Day is an awareness day dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the clouded leopard, a beautiful and elusive wild cat native to the forests of Southeast Asia. The day aims to educate people about the unique characteristics of the clouded leopard, the threats it faces, and the conservation efforts needed to protect its habitat and population. The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized wild cat known for its distinctive coat pattern of large cloud-like markings. They are skilled climbers with long tails for balance and can rotate their hind legs, enabling them to climb down trees headfirst. Their habitat ranges from the Himalayan foothills to mainland Southeast Asia and parts of China. Unfortunately, clouded leopards face significant threats due to habitat loss, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade. Their elusive nature and limited distribution make it challenging for researchers to gather accurate data on their population status. However, their numbers are declining, and the species is currently listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Africa

Aug

Coast Guard Day, Ntl. (1790): August 4

06:20 AM | -

National Coast Guard Day honors the branch of the defense department responsible for protecting the waters and the territories of the United States. National Coast Guard Day marks the anniversary of the creation of the US Coast Guard in 1790.

Africa

Aug

Doll Day, Ntl.: August 4

06:20 AM | -

Created by expert seamstress and entrepreneur Lanetta Sprott of Texas in 2011, National Doll Day is a celebration of dolls and all things related to dolls. The first Sunday of August hosts the event as it is also World Friendship Day. For many children, dolls are often their first best friend. World Friendship Day is a holiday proposed by Hallmark Cards after WWI and later became a national holiday in the US by Congressional Decree in the 1930s. The word "world" was added when the UN inaugurated Winnie-the-Pooh as the official Ambassador of Friendship. Dolls could well be the oldest toy we still play with today. The oldest doll was discovered in an Egyptian tomb 23 centuries ago, in 210 BC. Doll collecting is big business. According to the website "Most Luxurious List," the most expensive doll ever purchased is L'Oiseleur, which sold for $6.25 million. The second is by Madame Alexander, Eloise, which sold for $5 Million. In 2014 the Kämmer & Reinhardt character doll created between 1909 and 1912 sold at auction during 2014 for $395,750. It is believed to be the only one ever made. The most extensive doll collection (outside of the Small World Ride at Disneyland) is owned by Bettina Dorfmann of Dusseldorf, Germany. By 2012 her collection included 15,000 Barbie dolls with an estimated value of over $1.4 million. The typical way of celebrating this holiday for doll fans is to have a virtual tea party with other fans or a doll parade in their neighborhood. http://www.mostluxuriouslist.com/top-10-most-expensive-baby-dolls-in-the-world.

Africa

Aug

Family Day, American: August 4

06:20 AM | -

First observed in Arizona in 1977, American Family Day is an officially recognized state event within Arizona and, due to the internet, widely recognized throughout the United States. This day is a celebration of the uniqueness of American families, from the bold pioneer spirit of the first immigrants to the communal culture of Native Americans and everyone in-between. Families built the United States, and today is a day to celebrate what makes our nation and its families great.

Africa

Aug

Jousting, Torneo della Quintana (IT): August 4

06:20 AM | -

ITALY'S QUINTANA

Have you ever wanted to witness a joust like the nobility of the Renaissance period? You can! Each year, the town of Quintana, Italy, hosts the Torneo Della Quintana (Tournament of Jousting in Quintana) with full 15th-century costumes, entertainment, and food. The festival runs for one month and features two jousting tournaments, the first on the second Saturday of July and the second typically on the first Sunday of August, the festival's final day.

PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, the event should always be verified with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are unknown until a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa