All - Leep Calendar

The Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant & Hermit Crab Races is an annual event in Ocean City, New Jersey, designed to celebrate hermit crabs (the city's mascot) and provide family-friendly entertainment for locals and tourists alike. During the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant, participants are encouraged to decorate their hermit crabs with unique and creative themes. The crabs are then judged based on the originality and presentation of their decorations. Contestants press the boundaries of creativity with elaborate designs and costumes, making the pageant colorful. Following the beauty pageant, the Hermit Crab Races take place. Participants bring their hermit crabs to compete on a specially designed track where crabs are in the center of a circle. The first crab to cross the finish line wins the race and advances to the next round. Winners from each heat compete to determine the overall champion. The Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant & Hermit Crab Races is a lighthearted and unique event that adds to the charm and appeal of Ocean City. It has become a popular tradition for families visiting the area and offers a chance for people to engage with the local community.

Africa

Aug

Obon Festival (JP): August 13-16

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THE OBON FESTIVAL: A SPECTACLE OF LANTERNS Japan's Obon Festival, also known as Bon Festival, is a Buddhist-Confucian tradition honoring the spirits of ancestors. It is a time for families to reunite, clean ancestral graves, and hold ceremonies to guide the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living. The festival typically takes place in mid-August (though dates vary regionally) and lasts about three days, a duration that symbolizes the journey of the spirits from the afterlife to the world of the living and back. CELEBRATION AND SIGNIFICANCE The primary purpose of Obon is to honor deceased ancestors and ensure their spirits find peace. Families believe that during Obon, the spirits of their ancestors return to visit their homes. To welcome the spirits of the departed, families clean and decorate graves, prepare food offerings, and participate in various ceremonies and rituals. USE OF LANTERNS Lanterns play a significant role in Obon celebrations. They are used in various ways: Mukaebi (Welcoming Fires)—Lanterns and small bonfires guide the spirits back to their homes. Toro Nagashi (Floating Lanterns)—At the end of the festival, lanterns are set afloat on rivers, lakes, or the sea to help guide the spirits back to the afterlife. Chochin Lanterns—Decorative paper lanterns are often hung outside homes and temples to welcome the spirits. Lanterns, the guiding light for the spirits, play a crucial role in Obon. They ensure the spirits find their way both to and from the world of the living, a solemn and awe-inspiring task. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Obon has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years, with its origins tracing back to Buddhist and Confucian practices. The festival evolved from the Buddhist Ullambana Sutra, which tells the story of a monk, Maudgalyayana, who used offerings to save his deceased mother from suffering in the afterlife. This story emphasized filial piety and the importance of offerings to deceased ancestors, forming the basis of Obon traditions. Maudgalyayana's actions are seen as a model for the festival's participants, reinforcing the importance of honoring one's ancestors. RELIGIOUS ASPECTS Obon is primarily a Buddhist event but incorporates elements of Shinto and Confucian practices. The festival's rituals and ceremonies are deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings about the afterlife, karma, and the importance of filial piety. Over the centuries, Obon has also incorporated local customs and traditions, such as regional variations in food offerings and the use of different types of lanterns, making it a unique blend of religious and cultural practices that reflects Japan's rich cultural diversity. Overall, Obon is a significant festival in Japan. It reflects the country's rich spiritual traditions and strongly emphasizes the warmth of family and the reverence for our ancestors, fostering a sense of unity and respect.

Africa

Aug

Prosecco Day, Ntl.: August 13

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Prosecco is Italy's contribution to sparkling wine and has existed for centuries. National Prosecco Day celebrates this delicate and fruity bubbly wine, the perfect light and refreshing cool summer treat.

Africa

Aug

Women's Day, (TN): August 13

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Women's Day in Tunisia is a national celebration of women, their lives, their contributions, and their independence.

Africa

Aug

Calligraphy Day, World: August 14

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Created in 2017, World Calligraphy Day is a promotional, fundraising, and educational initiative of The Pen Museum and Manuscript Pen Company in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Calligraphy is the ornate style of writing seen every day in Arabic and Asian cultures. In the Western world, calligraphy graces formal invitations and degree certificates. It takes years of practice to perfect, and it is admired for its beauty and artistry.

Africa

Aug

Creamsicle Day, Ntl.: August 14

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National Creamsicle Day provides an excuse to eat your favorite flavor of Creamsicle. 11-year-old Frank Epperson (inventor of the popsicle) created the Creamsicle in 1905 of vanilla ice cream dipped in fruit juice, then frozen on a stick. Today this fruity-creamy frozen blend has lent its name to everything from cocktails to cakes. However, the Creamsicle continues to be one of the world’s favorite, low-calorie (under 100) treats!

Africa

Aug

Football, AFL Founded (1959): August 14

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Today is the anniversary of the first American Football League (AFL) meeting in 1959. In 1969, it merged with the National Football League (NFL). Merger conditions included a championship game between the two leagues and in-common drafts. The championship game would eventually lead to one of the most popular events in the United States, the Super Bowl. The National Football League was founded on August 20, 1920.

Africa

Aug

Green Man Festival (UK): August 14-17 (est)

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GREEN MAN FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND NATURE IN WALES Each August, the picturesque Brecon Beacons in Wales come alive with the sounds of the Green Man Festival, a unique and vibrant celebration of music, arts, and nature. The stunning natural backdrop of the Brecon Beacons, with its rolling hills and lush greenery, provides a perfect setting for this independent festival, established in 2003 by Fiona Stewart and her team. The festival has become one of the UK's most beloved cultural events, drawing attendees worldwide who are eager to experience the beauty of the Brecon Beacons. The Green Man Festival is a unique blend of music, arts, and nature, offering a diverse, immersive experience. It combines outstanding musical performances with a deep appreciation for nature and the arts. This unique blend seeks to foster community, environmental consciousness, and artistic expression among its attendees, promising an experience like no other. WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT GREEN MAN The festival offers a wide array of activities that cater to all ages and interests. Some of the key attractions include: Live Music Performances—Featuring an eclectic mix of genres, from indie and folk to electronic and jazz, with established artists and emerging talents taking the stage. Literature and Spoken Word—Readings, discussions, and workshops with authors, poets, and speakers offer literary enthusiasts a rich and engaging experience. Art Installations and Exhibitions—Showcasing visual arts, sculpture, and interactive installations throughout the festival grounds. Science and Nature Activities—Workshops, talks, and demonstrations on topics ranging from astronomy to environmental conservation, often set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Brecon Beacons. Wellness and Healing—Sessions on yoga, meditation, and holistic therapies to promote physical and mental well-being. Family-Friendly Entertainment—Dedicated areas and activities for children, including storytelling, craft workshops, and performances tailored for younger audiences. INCLUSIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT The Green Man Festival's strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship is not just unique, but also deeply impactful. The festival organizers implement numerous green initiatives, such as promoting recycling, reducing waste, and encouraging public transport and carpooling. By supporting local communities and independent businesses, the festival ensures that the event positively impacts the surrounding area, fostering a sense of connection and support among its attendees. Since its inception in 2003, the Green Man Festival has become an annual highlight in the UK's festival calendar. Its commitment to blending music, arts, and nature sustainably and inclusively has garnered a loyal following and critical acclaim. The festival is designed to be a welcoming space for all, regardless of age, background, or interests, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy and connect with at the Green Man Festival. As the Green Man Festival continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to its core values of creativity, community, and environmental responsibility. The festival offers a unique and enriching experience that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the power of artistic expression, making it a must-visit event for music lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Africa

Aug

Independence Day (PK)(1947): August 14

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On August 15, 1947, the British Parliament declared India and Pakistan independent nations no longer under colonial rule. Both countries fought hard to gain independence with the non-violent movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. The local time of this event was August 14. Pakistan observes its Independence Day on the 14th and India on the 15th. Britain partitioned the territory into two nations: Hindu (India) and Muslim (Pakistan).

Africa

Aug

Lizard Day, World: August 14

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Lizards are members of the reptile family with more than 6,000 species worldwide. The largest is the Komodo Dragon. Except for bearded lizards and Gila monsters, these essential creatures to the ecosystem are not poisonous. Lizards tend to eat insects, which makes them quite valuable for gardens. World Lizard Day does not appear to have an origin; however, it is marked and celebrated internationally by zoos and other wildlife enthusiast groups.

Africa

Aug

Milwaukee Irish Festival (US-WI) August 14-17 (est)

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Pony up on your river dancing, limericks, and sense of humor; it is time for the Milwaukee Irish Festival. The festival features Celtic culture, 17 stages of entertainment, food and beverages, sporting events, and lots of cheer. Annually on the third weekend of August at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, this event attracts over 100,000 people 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

Navajo Code Talkers Day (1942): August 14

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Navajo Code Talkers Day commemorates the significant contribution of the Navajo Nation to the Allied victory in the Second World War. Navajo is unique because of its complexity and is an oral language, not written. August 14 was chosen as the day of commemoration, for it is the anniversary of the Japanese surrender. In 2000, President Bill Clinton honored the Navajo Code Talkers with Congressional Gold Medals. Navajo trainees were given a dictionary that contained military terms to memorize, then benign words in Navajo were used in their place. Philip Johnston first proposed the Navajo language as the foundation of coded communication; it proved impossible for the Japanese to crack. The film "Windtalkers" from 2002 is an excellent tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245562.

Africa

Aug

V-J Day (1945): August 14

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On August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, ending WWII.

Africa

Aug

Admissions Day (US-HI)(1959): August 15

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Admissions Day is a state holiday in Hawaii, marking August 21, 1959, when the Hawaiian Islands entered the United States as its 50th state. Admissions Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday in August.

Africa

Aug

Beautiful Days Festival (UK): August 15-17 (est)

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Beautiful Days is the Levellers' family music festival. The event is organized by DMF Music and takes place at Escot Park in Devon, UK. It includes six stages, site art, a giant children's area, comedy, theatre, family camping, licensed real ale bars from Otter Brewery & a great choice of food and craft stalls. Beautiful Days has no sponsorship or branding and does not advertise.

Africa