National Lemonade Day | Purpose, Activities

 National Lemonade Day

Ice Lemonade(Getty)

Every year on August 20th, the United States celebrates National Lemonade Day, which honors the popular summer drink made from lemon juice, water, and sugar. The holiday was established to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of young lemonade stand operators, who are frequently children and teenagers. It is an opportunity to recognize their imagination, entrepreneurial skills, and commitment to raising funds for charitable causes.

On National Lemonade Day, people are encouraged to establish their own lemonade stands, sell lemonade, and contribute the profits to a charity of their choice. The day also emphasizes the significance of supporting young entrepreneurs and encouraging them to pursue their ambitions.

Fresh, ice cold country lemonade in mason jars.(Getty)

Numerous communities hold events and activities on National Lemonade Day, including contests for the best lemonade stand, tastings of different lemonade recipes, and lemonade-themed parties. It's a refreshing and enjoyable way to celebrate summertime while also contributing to a good cause.

Is there a national lemonade stand day?

There is no official National Lemonade Stand Day recognized by the federal government in the United States. However, National Lemonade Day, celebrated on August 20th, is a day dedicated to recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of young lemonade stand operators who often set up their stands during the summer months. It's a day to celebrate their creativity, hard work, and dedication to raising funds for charitable causes. Many communities also hold local events and activities on this day to support and encourage young entrepreneurs.

What is the purpose of Lemonade Day?

Lemonade Day is an educational initiative with a national reach in the United States that focuses on teaching entrepreneurship to children. The main objective of this program is to empower youngsters to take charge of their lives and contribute positively to society by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to start, own, and run their own businesses.

Typically, Lemonade Day is scheduled for a specific day in May or June every year. Participating children receive a Lemonade Day backpack that includes an entrepreneur workbook, which guides them through the various steps involved in planning and launching their own lemonade stand. The workbook provides valuable insights on essential topics such as budgeting, marketing, customer service, and financial literacy while also encouraging children to think creatively and set achievable goals.

Lemonade Day offers comprehensive resources and support to parents, teachers, and community leaders, enabling them to facilitate the program and ensure its success. The overarching aim of Lemonade Day is to inspire young individuals to become future business leaders and entrepreneurs while promoting financial literacy and self-sufficiency among the upcoming generation.

Who started Lemonade Day?

Lemonade Day was started by Michael Holthouse, an entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Houston, Texas, in 2007. Holthouse was inspired by his own childhood experiences of running a lemonade stand and wanted to create a program that would help teach entrepreneurship skills to children and encourage them to become future business leaders. Since its inception, Lemonade Day has grown to become a national initiative, with participation in over 84 cities across the United States.

Why is it called lemonade?

The term "lemonade" comes from the combination of two words: "lemon" and "ade." "Lemon" refers to the citrus fruit that is the main ingredient of the beverage, while "ade" is a suffix used to indicate a sweetened, fruit-flavored drink made from water and sugar.

The exact origin of the word "lemonade" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in France in the 17th century. The French word for lemonade is "limonade," which comes from the word "limon," meaning lemon. The term "lemonade" gradually came into use in English-speaking countries and is now commonly used to refer to a refreshing drink made from lemon juice, sugar, and water.

Which country first drank lemonade?

However, it is known that the Ancient Egyptians were among the first to make a drink similar to lemonade, using lemon juice, honey, and water. They believed that the drink had medicinal properties and used it to treat a variety of ailments.

The drink was also popular in medieval Europe, where it was made with lemon juice, sugar, and water. In fact, lemonade was a favorite drink of the French aristocracy in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, lemonade is enjoyed all over the world, and different variations of the drink can be found in many different cultures.

Lemonade day activities

Lemonade Day is an annual event that encourages young people to learn about entrepreneurship by starting their own lemonade stand businesses. Here are some activities that could be done as part of Lemonade Day:

Portrait of a group of three senior African American woman standing outdoors side by side, laughing and looking at the camera. They are drinking lemonade or a cocktail, holding their glasses high for a toast.(Getty)

Business Planning: 

The first step in starting any business is to develop a business plan. Help children and youth identify the key components of a business plan such as identifying their target market, setting prices, determining the cost of materials, and creating a marketing strategy.

Lemonade Stand Design: 

Encourage children and youth to design and decorate their own lemonade stand using materials like cardboard, paint, and markers. This can help them to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Lemonade Recipe Creation: 

Help children and youth create their own lemonade recipe. Encourage them to experiment with different ingredients such as different types of citrus fruits or sweeteners.

Marketing: 

Teach children and youth about marketing and advertising. Encourage them to create posters, flyers, and signs to advertise their lemonade stand. They can also use social media to promote their business.

Sales and Customer Service:

 Teach children and youth about customer service and sales skills. Encourage them to greet their customers with a smile and to be polite and friendly. This will help them to build relationships with their customers and encourage repeat business.

Profit and Loss: 

Help children and youth understand profit and loss by keeping track of their expenses and income. This can help them to develop their math skills and understand the basics of financial management.

Overall, Lemonade Day provides a great opportunity for children and youth to learn about entrepreneurship, business management, and financial literacy. By participating in Lemonade Day, they can develop important life skills that will serve them well in the future.

Lemonade recipe

Lemonade Recipe(Getty)

If you're looking for an easy way to make lemonade, try out this recipe:

For the ingredients, you will need

 6 lemons, 

1 cup of sugar, 

6 cups of water, 

and some ice cubes.

To prepare the lemonade, start by cutting the lemons in half and squeezing the juice into a pitcher. Be sure to remove any seeds. Next, add the sugar to the pitcher and stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Then, pour in the water and mix well.

Once you have mixed the ingredients, taste the lemonade and adjust the amount of sugar or lemon juice to your liking. Afterward, chill the pitcher of lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. When ready to serve, pour the lemonade over some ice cubes and enjoy!

For an extra twist on the classic recipe, consider adding sliced lemons, strawberries, or mint leaves to your lemonade.