Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 2022: National Picnic Month. Today is my Niece Lily’s Birthday Party or I would have invited her over for lunch. Lily has been wanting to have a #Family Picnic. Now that we moved into Appian Way Apartments we have a Back Porch by the Swimming Pool with Picnic Tables that are perfect to have a Picnic on or just block out the world with a good book.
National Picnic Month
When the cold Winds are a distant memory, and the Sun is shining brightly in the Summer sky, that is when we plan to celebrate National Picnic Month.
What better way to welcome Summer than with a basket full of goodies, cold beverage, and the outdoor air? National Picnic Month was founded to celebrate the history of this activity and the way Picnics brings people, cultures, and even Countries together.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH
Outdoor dining in one version or another has been around for ages. People have used picnics for everything from family gatherings, to celebrations, to being a form of peaceful protest. The earliest known record of picnics by people is the outdoor meals served to Medieval Royal Hunters. These early picnics were large fancy meals, and this trend continued through the Victorian Era, before eventually becoming a light repast with whatever a person could carry.
The 19th Century cemented the picnic as a light meal in cultures everywhere. We can attribute the modern version of picnics to the French. The revolutionaries opened up Royal Parks to the public after the French Revolution, and picnicking became a popular activity for the newly freed citizens. Even the word ‘picnic’ is likely of French origin, or at least that is what some people believe. Picnic might come from the French verb ‘piquer,’ which means to ‘pick’ or ‘peck’, and ‘nique,’ meaning ‘thing of little importance.’
In literature, one of the very first references to picnics was in the tale of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men who would frequently dine on Bread, Cheese, and Beer under the shelter of the trees.
The charm of eating meals outdoors grew in leaps and bounds in proportion to the growth in busier lifestyles. People needed a dedicated reason to relax, so much so that a Picnic Society was even formed in London. Members met at the Pantheon a popular public entertainment space in Oxford Street. There they would share entertainment and refreshments. Now, Cultures over the world have added their own spin to picnics and made this tradition their own.
As for Americans, they pull out picnics on every major holiday including Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day with special additions like races and eating contests be held at times.
Another tradition followed today by multiple Cultures is picnicking next to headstones, when people enjoy recreational activities in the Cemetery as a way to celebrate their dead loved ones. England followed this tradition in the Victorian Era, Mexico celebrates the Día de los Muertos lunch among family gravesites, and the Chinese have their Chung Yeung Festival to honor their ancestors. Less common in the U.S., some morticians and preservationists support this tradition, believing this to be a good way to enjoy life at all stages and honor our loved ones.
The non-profit organization American Bakers’ Association, founded National Picnic Month.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH
- Pick a nearby park and bring your favorite foods along. You can turn this into a solitary adventure or a family get-together. Either way, pick your spot, choose your food, and enjoy the outdoors.
- While solitary meals are great for a bit of soul-searching, nothing beats family time over a delicious meal. Entice your family into sharing picnics by planning a day of events along with a smorgasbord of finger foods. You can choose from board games, cards, barbecues, ball games, and games like Hot Potato for the younger crowd.
- There are so many benefits to taking a meal outdoors, away from a screen. That we can’t even count them all. Take a minute to plan multiple quick and easy picnics this entire month and beyond that. You don’t have to stray far away from you home or office. Step into the backyard, take your food onto the patio, or visit the closest park. The key is to enjoy a meal in the fresh air. Take a quick picnic break for lunch or explore a new park.
5 FUN PICNIC TRADITIONS
- Hanami- Cherry Blossom-viewing Season sees many Japanese picnicking beneath Cherry Blossoms.
- When the French dine outdoors, their Wine is always poured into Stemware that allows the Wine to breathe instead of being stifled in a normal cup.
- In a tradition stemming from the 19th Century, New Zealanders almost always have Tea while on a picnic.
- Berry hunters pack picnic lunches to take along with them as they pick Berries throughout the Summer months.
- Turkish families set up picnic spots with cushions, rugs, and furniture, along with games, string lighting, and a potluck-style meal. These picnics continue well into the nighttime, with bonfires, music, and dancing.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH
- We’ve been cooped up inside for far too long by the time August rolls around. This makes it the perfect month for an outdoor excursion. What better way to enjoy the fresh air than with a meal with loved ones? We love getting out there and enjoying a meal amidst Nature’s bounty.
- After a stressful week, all you want to do is relax. Plus the Weather in August is perfect for a picnic. We can indulge in an activity we all love and give our loved ones our undivided attention without any distractions.
- Picnics are a wonderful way for us to get to know our surroundings and explore the City we live in. By finding new places to visit with each picnic, we learn about beautiful Parks and Gardens and other locales we might otherwise not have known about.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
