Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end -- even awesome holidays. So roll out of bed, throw away all of the crushed up beer cans and hot dog buns littering your backyard, and hang up your American flag shirt and pants (and then put them right back on at 7 p.m. for the Women's World Cup Final). It may be hard to say goodbye to the Fourth of July, but get ready to say hello to five other summer holidays that will be sure to keep you entertained until Halloween.
1. Pioneer Day
What is it?: Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah that's celebrated each year to commemorate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
When is it?: July 24th
How do I celebrate it?: Pioneer Day activities include rodeos, parades, picnics and fireworks -- basically it sounds like the Fourth of July's Mormon cousin. If this sounds too tame for you, feel free to take it up a notch and attempt a journey to Salt Lake City in the style of the pioneers themselves via horse-drawn caravan.
What should I eat/drink?: Incorporating potatoes and turnips into your day is a must, as they were the first crops planted by the Mormons as they settled into Salt Lake City. For drinks, most Mormons shy away from alcoholic beverages, but if you really feel the need to indulge, try the "Mad Mormon" -- 1 shot of Firefly Sweat Tea, a splash of lemonade and iced tea, sugar around the rim, and a lemon for good measure.
2. Parents Day
What is it?: The celebration of your parents and all of the times they helped you/put up with your whining.
When is it?: July 26th
How do I celebrate it?: Send your parents a card, spend the day with them, take them out to dinner, or pull a Dom Mazzetti and "Doom" them at the bar... the choice is yours.
What should I eat/drink?: Going out to a nice restaurant is always nice, as is a delicious home-cooked meal for your parents. As long as you treat them to food they like and not some weird Tai-Italian fusion, you can't go wrong. For drinks, get them the "Bear fight" -- they both race to finish an Irish Car Bomb and a Jager Bomb. Typically, the winner gets to slap the loser, but since it's Parents Day, they get to slap you. Pro: You get to "Doom" your parents. Con: You get slapped a few times. Considering all the bull you put your parents through, it seems pretty reasonable.
3. National Aviation Day
What it is?: Coinciding with the birthdays of the Wright Brothers, this holiday commemorates the history and development of aviation.
When is it?: August 19th
How do I celebrate it?: Go to an aviation museum, take a joy ride in your Uncle Bert's biplane, or watch Top Gun all day. As long as a plane is involved in some way, you're celebrating National Aviation Day right.
What should I eat/drink?: Simple: airplane food. Either order some in advance from the Internet, or put some in your carry-on bag during your next flight. I recommend Southwest's pasta with pomodoro sauce (it also comes with a chocolate muffin). For drinks, go for the "Flirty Flight Attendant" -- 1 shot of Peach schnapps, 1 shot of Siegram's Seven Crown, and a splash of orange juice and mango juice.
4. Lyndon B. Johnson Day
What is it?: The celebration of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States.
When is it?: August 27th.
How do I celebrate it?: Try and listen to excerpts of some of Lyndon's greatest speeches, consider all that he did for education, civil rights and environmental conservation, and marvel at the possibility of naming one of your children "Lyndon" and seeing what happens.
What should I eat/drink?: Since Mr. Johnson was a Texan, some kind of Texan barbecue is an absolute must on this day. If barbecue isn't your thing, then get out of my face. On a day like this, everyone celebrating should be drinking "The Lyndon" -- a glass of scotch, chilled with ice and a splash of Fresca. Lyndon typically housed these, speeding around his Texas ranch all the while. Seriously, Google it.
5. Labor Day
What is it?: A holiday celebrating the accomplishments of labor unions, Labor Day is typically a day of rest for almost everyone around the country.
When is it?: September 7th.
How do I celebrate it?: Labor Day marks the end of the summer and your last chance to go on vacation or bum around. So make sure your Labor Day plans include a short vacation or some variation of bumming around. Go to the beach, visit your Uncle Bert's lake house, or just enjoy the last day of summer.
What should I eat/drink?: Since summer is effectively at an end, take the time to eat the food that might be hard to find/terrible to eat during the winter such as specific fruits and vegetables. Save your awesome soup and stew recipes for the dead of winter and enjoy some fresh veggies and fruits while you still can. For your last drink of the summer, go out swinging with a "Summer Dame" -- equal parts blue raspberry vodka, Natty Lite and Pineapple Vodka, with a splash of sprite and some ice. Just the drink you want to end the summer with a bang and wake up for work or class the next day with a terrible/nostalgic summer hangover.
