Buffet table. Andrea Egger / Pixabay.com / 2010 / CC0 1.0
What’s happening when and where in the world of food: a calendar of special food days.
| January | May | September |
| February | June | October |
| March | July | November |
| April | August | December |
Lughnasadh marks the start of autumn in the Celtic calendar, and the start of the harvest for grain. It's an ancient Celtic celebration that was held in Ireland and other Celtic countries.
Lammas is an Irish holiday that follows the day after Lughnasadh. While Lughnasadh was merry-making, on Lammas thanks would be given for the coming grain harvest by prayers and offerings of bread.
The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show is held the first Tuesday of every August (between 1st and 7th August) at Egton Bridge, North Yorkshire, England. The show is both an exhibition and a contest.
On this day in 1608, John Tradescant the younger was born in England. He and his father introduced to Europe many food plants we now take for granted.
The 4th of August is the day to celebrate all things chocolate chip. The classic item of course is chocolate chip cookies, followed closely by chocolate chip muffins.
Both Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Bucyrus, Ohio, hold Bratwurst Festival Days in August. In each locale, how the bratwurst is traditionally served differs.
A Root Beer Float is a classic North American summer drink. It's a big, thick frosty mug of Root Beer with a big, creamy head of suds on it and ice cream in it.
In this day and age, thanks to exports and cargo jets criss-crossing the globe, it's possible to get raspberries at any time of year. But around this time in the northern hemisphere, raspberry season is at its peak.
When's the last time you had a S'more? The 10th of August is the day to celebrate the gooey summer treat, consisting of melted marshmallow and chocolate on graham wafer.
The 12th of August is Kool-Aid Day. Did you know you can make adult Kool-Aid?
On this day in August, grouse season starts in England and Scotland. The date has been set in law since the Game Act of 1831.
The 13th of August is Filet Mignon Day; a day to gnosh into one of the most swank cuts of beef around.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.... Scarborough Faire in England was the real deal, and not just a song.
The 15th of August is Marymass in Scotland. It is a festival marking the start of the harvest.
The 16th of August is the last day of the horse racing contests held in Siena, Italy. Neighbourhoods of the city compete against each other.
Soft Ice Cream Day is the 19th of August. Treat yourself to a soft ice cream cone today!
The 19th of August is the birthday of Charles E. Hires, the root beer king.
The 20th of August is Lemonade Day. Some people can use today as an activity day for children; the rest of us can use it as a day to catch a few hours sitting in the shade and sipping lemonade -- even if it is vodka-spiked for some people.
The 20th of August is St Philbert's Day. It marks the start of the hazelnut harvest in England.
If you missed Soft Ice Cream Day two days ago, you have another excuse today to have ice cream. It's Spumoni Day, all day today!
The famous Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery opened in Boston on 23 August 1902. The target students were housewives during the days, and nurses at evenings.
Saint Bartholomew's Day is traditionally celebrated by eating watermelon. Saint Bartholomew is also the patron saint of mead.
Go on, treat yourself on Banana Split Day. After all, how many times in your life do you have a banana split?
Good heavens, is that that time of year again already? The 27th of August, National Pots de Crème Day, has crept up on us once more!
The 29th of August is Lemon Juice Day. Only sour pusses would let this day go by without celebrating it.
Toasted Marshmallow Day is the 30th of August. You don't have to go camping to celebrate today; marshmallows will toast even over an electric burner.
The 31st of August is Trail Mix Day. Mix up your own Trail Mix, or buy it already mixed.