Kool Aid Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Kool Aid Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Kool Aid Day is observed on August 18th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Kool Aid Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you need know about Kool Aid Day.

📅 What day is Kool Aid Day 2024?

In 2024, Kool Aid Day is on Friday, August 18th. It is the 3rd Friday in August; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all fascinating details and facts about August 18, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Kool-Aid Day is a special event celebrated in Hastings, Nebraska every year on the second weekend of August. It marks the beginning of Kool-Aid Days, a three-day festival that takes place from Friday, August 19, to Sunday, August 21. This year, Kool-Aid Day falls on August 18 and has the theme of “Mangoneficent.” The festival offers a range of exciting activities including a Kool-Aid drinking contest, a parade, a fun run, and boat racing. If you live nearby, you can attend these events, but even if you’re not in Nebraska, you can still celebrate at home by enjoying your favorite flavor of Kool-Aid.

📜 Kool Aid Day History

After completing high school, Perkins started a mail-order business to sell the products he had created. He and his wife moved to Hastings in 1920, which was a better location for distributing his products. One of his creations was a concentrated drink mix called Fruit Smack, which came in six different flavors just like Jell-O. However, there were issues with packaging the drink in bottles, so in 1927, Perkins developed a method to extract the liquid, allowing the remaining powder to be packaged in envelopes. He named this new product Kool-Ade, which was later shortened to Kool-Aid.

Initially, Kool-Aid was sold to wholesale grocery and confectionery stores for 10 cents per packet in six flavors. It was introduced to grocery shops nationwide in 1929 and gained popularity quickly. In 1931, due to the increasing demand, Perkins decided to focus solely on producing Kool-Aid and moved production to Chicago. During the Great Depression, the price of Kool-Aid was reduced to five cents per package. In 1953, Perkins sold Kool-Aid to General Foods. Soon after, the iconic Smiling Face Pitcher logo was introduced, followed by the famous Kool-Aid Man with the catchphrase “Oh yeah!”

✅ Kool Aid Day Facts

🔖 He was deeply influenced by Jell-O
The decision to join the pre-packaged food industry was influenced by Jell-O, as well as his preference for hyphenating his product names. Examples of hyphenated product names include Nix-O-Tine, Motor-Vigor, Onor-Maid, Glos-Comb, Jel-Aid, E-Z-Wash, and Kool-Aid.

🔖 A remedy for a tobacco habit
Nix-O-Tine, a remedy for tobacco addiction, gained popularity among World War I veterans who returned home and were struggling with their cigarette dependency.

🔖 He was born in Iowa
Perkins hailed from Lewis, Iowa but resided in Hastings, Nebraska alongside his wife.

👍 Why Is Kool Aid Day Important

Kool-Aid has been around for a long time. Not only is it refreshing, but there are other cocktails that can be made with Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid has something for everyone, from Pink Paradise Punch to Kool-Aid Rainbow Drink.

Do you want to take part in a fun run and walk? There is a Kool-Aid Days 5K Fun Run and Walk.Are you looking for an adventure? Lake Hastings will host the Kool-Aid Kardboard Boat Races. Alternatively, if you want to show off your classic car or truck, sign up for the Lochland Car Show and Cruise.

There would be no popular Kool-Aid without Edwin Perkins. He began at a young age and developed other products in addition to Kool-Aid. Then he laid the groundwork. He is a man of great inspiration.

🙂 How To Observe Kool Aid Day

⚡ Become a volunteer
You have the opportunity to volunteer during the event and contribute in various ways. You can assist at the Kool-Aid stand by mixing and serving drinks or help guide Fun Run participants along the course. It’s important to keep in mind that the ultimate objective is to ensure that everyone enjoys themselves with Kool-Aid.

⚡ Make Kool-Aid drinks or food
Do you recall the times when you enjoyed sipping on refreshing Kool-Aid during hot summer days as a child? Well, now that we’re all grown up, we can celebrate that memory by creating various delicious recipes using Kool-Aid. There’s a wide range of options to choose from, including the tangy Super-Sour Cherry Kool-Aid, the out-of-this-world Galaxy Slushies, the creamy Frozen Dessert, and the delightful Summer Strawberry Pie.

⚡ Join in the Kool-Aid Days festival
If you reside in or near Hastings, you should join in the festivities of the Kool-Aid Days celebration. This event spans an entire weekend and offers a variety of thrilling activities like a lively run, a captivating auto show, a colorful parade, and numerous other engaging events.

📅 When is Kool Aid Day?

You can view all 🔗 August holidays, including 🔗 Food & Beverage and other 🔗 Festivities holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Kool Aid Day. So be sure to check back soon.