Mark The Months - July

A whole month dedicated to grilling? Yes, please—and honestly, it's about time. You don’t see “Microwave Appreciation Month,” do you? That’s because grilling is the undisputed champion of cooking methods. It’s fire! It’s smoke! It’s a reason to stand outside with tongs in one hand and a drink in the other, pretending to know what you’re doing. July doesn’t just give us hot dogs and hamburgers—it gives us a full thirty-one days to unapologetically char things in the name of flavor. So toss on an apron that says “Kiss the Cook,” even if no one will, and let’s make this month so smoky the mosquitoes leave in fear.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

Blueberries are the overachievers of the fruit world—small, round, and somehow making the rest of us look bad while doing it. They’re sweet, healthy, easy to eat, and don’t even require peeling, slicing, or a user manual. You can toss them into breakfast, bake them into dessert, or just eat them straight from the carton like a civilized adult… or a berry-loving bandit standing in front of the fridge. However you enjoy them, one thing’s certain—when blueberries are around, things tend to disappear quickly.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

Every July, America proudly salutes the mighty hot dog—the undisputed champion of backyard grills, baseball stadiums, and paper plates everywhere. This is the month when sausages achieve their highest purpose, mustard flows like golden treasure, and otherwise reasonable adults passionately debate ketchup like national policy. National Hot Dog Month is not about elegance or restraint. It’s about embracing delicious chaos, celebrating summer one bun at a time, and accepting that if you finish the day without at least one condiment on your shirt, you probably didn’t do it right.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

Every nation has its proud traditions. Some have ancient festivals, historic monuments, or centuries-old ceremonies. America, being practical people, looked at the calendar and said, “You know what this summer really needs? An entire month dedicated to ice cream.” And so National Ice Cream Month was born. It’s the one time of year when opening the freezer door feels almost patriotic, when a second scoop counts as cultural participation, and when nobody questions your decision to eat dessert before dinner—because technically, you’re just honoring a presidential proclamation.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

The sun may look calm and friendly from 93 million miles away, but make no mistake—it’s basically a giant nuclear furnace with excellent aim. Most days it kindly provides warmth, light, and the perfect excuse to sit outside with a cold drink. But every now and then it reminds us that ultraviolet rays are not part of a friendly neighborhood welcome committee. UV Awareness Month exists to gently remind everyone that enjoying sunshine is a wonderful idea… as long as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a little common sense come along for the ride.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

When planning an outdoor feast, it's essential to remember that you're not the only one who enjoys a good spread in nature. Bears, with their impeccable sense of smell, might just invite themselves to your picnic. While your carefully packed sandwiches and fruit salads are enticing, it's best to keep a safe distance and let the bears stick to their natural diet. After all, the last thing you want is to find yourself explaining to a bear why your picnic blanket isn't an all-you-can-eat buffet!

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

Ultraviolet Safety Month is that special time of year when we collectively remember that the giant glowing ball in the sky, while excellent for beach days and backyard cookouts, is also quietly plotting against our skin. July serves as a friendly but firm reminder to break out the sunscreen, oversized hats, and sunglasses large enough to make you look like a celebrity avoiding paparazzi. Whether you’re lounging poolside, mowing the lawn, or simply stepping outside with misplaced confidence, Ultraviolet Safety Month encourages everyone to enjoy the sunshine responsibly—because looking like a perfectly roasted tomato was never the summer goal.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July

Think of hemp and marijuana as identical twins who chose wildly different majors in college. Hemp is the overachieving go-getter in a crisp button-down, building eco-friendly houses before breakfast and knitting its own socks afterward. Marijuana, meanwhile, is the laid-back artist in tie-dye, writing cosmic poetry about snack foods and insisting the universe is “vibing.” Same family tree, but hemp’s THC is so low it can’t get a buzz even after listening to a Phish concert on loop, while marijuana’s entire résumé is—well—buzz. One pays the bills with biodegradable plastics and protein-packed seeds; the other supplies the soundtrack to a lava-lamp light show. Together they prove that nature has range, but only one will pass a drug test on Monday morning.

  Celebrated: Annually, throughout July