This August 20, join your community in celebrating National Lemonade Day! Participating cities will have the chance to teach youth about setting up their own lemonade stand and running their own company. It’s a great way to meet people in your city, sip on a refreshing beverage and put your money to a good cause.
History of National Lemonade Day
The use of lemonade dates as far back as ancient Egypt and has rooted its own beginnings all over the world. However, the concept for Lemonade Day was created when founder, Michael Holthouse’s daughter, Lissa, wanted to add a turtle to her pet collection. With so many pets already in the house, Michael said no. Dedicated and determined, Lissa decided she would open a lemonade stand to raise money to buy her own turtle, and asked her dad for help.
This brilliant and empowered idea gave founder, Michael Holthouse the inspiration for the National Lemonade Day Campaign. He wanted to give more children the opportunity to learn business skills, responsibility, financial literacy, goal setting, and team-work just like Lissa. Giving children across the U.S. lessons that could carry all the way to their future. More than any pop album, or hip-hop song, this day is not just about fun and enjoying delicious lemonade, it’s about providing confidence to our youth and teaching them basic business skills — but listening to Beyonce’s “Lemonade” at the same time doesn’t hurt. Giving our youth an entrepreneur’s spirit at an early age has an incredibly positive impact on their success in the future, and when our children are successful, the world is successful! So let’s slice-up some lemons and get to stirring up some learning!
National Lemonade Day timeline
- 1879
It's official
“The New York Times” first documented the use of the term “lemonade stand.”
- 1873
New York lemons
Edward Bok launches the first lemonade stand in New York.
- 1670s
Lemonade in Paris
Roving groups of street vendors sell lemonade from tanks strapped to their backs.
- 500 B.C.
Egyptian lemonade
Egyptians mix lemon with sugar to make qatermizat, a recipe written down by Persian poet Nasir-I-Khusraw.
National Lemonade Day FAQs
How much does it cost to join Lemonade Day?
Lemonade Day is a free program for all youth. The curriculum, activities, services, products, and resources of Lemonade Day are made possible by the generous donations of individuals, corporations, community organizations, and foundations that offer support.
How old do you have to be to partake in Lemonade Day?
The curriculum is designed for ages 3-5, however youth of all ages are welcome and the material can be adapted for older audiences.
What happens to the money raised on Lemonade Day?
The money at each stand on Lemonade Day belongs to the youth participants who operate that stand. 100% of what they make is their business profit. The Lemonade Day curriculum encourages them to spend some, save some, and share some.
5 Fun Lemonade Facts
When Life Gives You Lemons
Elbert Hubbard wrote the obituary for Marshall Pinckney Wilder, a celebrated actor, writer, and humorist — the original version of his famous phrase read "He picked up the lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade stand.”
The Power of Lemonade
4-year old Alex Scott who suffered from pediatric cancer started a lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research. Despite her passing, she has since raised over 100 million dollars.
Lemonade Restaurant
There is a restaurant in California that specializes in creating unique lemonade drinks.
Lemon Crops
California and Arizona produce almost 95% of the entire U.S. lemon crop.
Lemon Drops
A single lemon tree can produce up to 600 pounds of lemons in just one year.
National Lemonade Day Activities
Find event-affiliated lemon stands in your city
National Lemonade Day is in over 100 cities so there’s a chance this awesome day is already in your town. If not, no sour lemons for you! Simply contact National Lemonade Day to set up an event for your city on August 20.
Volunteer
The only way National Lemonade Day can even be possible is with help from super nice and generous people who pledge to mentor and teach kids about entrepreneurship. Find out how to get involved on your state’s National Lemonade Day website.
Make (and drink) lemonade
What’s the best part of all your hard work? The sweet taste of success. Get to know people in your community over glasses of tasty and refreshing lemonade and help teach kids the importance of fiscal responsibility with their profits. For such a good cause, we’ll squeeze in time to celebrate this day!
Why We Love National Lemonade Day
Helping kids is awesome
It might seem really simple, but helping kids set up their very own lemonade stand is actually a very cool way to teach them about entrepreneurship, fiscal responsibility, and life goals. Since its launch in 2007, Lemonade Day has helped over one million children across North America. What a sweet way to use lemons!
Learning a skill is important
Even something as simple as learning how to make and sell lemonade is enough to make a huge difference in a child’s world. 88% of parents with children who participated in 2016’s National Lemonade Day said their children had a sense of purpose after opening their own lemonade stand and 90% said their kids had higher self-esteem. Talk about a new zest for life!
Knowledge is power
Kids who participate in National Lemonade Day will have an idea of how to set goals and trust their own decisions while gaining a sense of empowerment and self-worth. They’re just one lemonade stand away from all the tools for success. Teaching kids how to start, own and operate their own business means they’re ahead of the game!
Also on Tue Aug 20, 2024...
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