Kool Aid Day in United States 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events

In Hastings, Nebraska, Kool-Aid Day is celebrated on the second weekend of August. It falls on the first day of Kool-Aid Days, which takes place from Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21. This year, August 18 is the date. This year’s motif is Mangonificent. During the festival, there are many enjoyable activities, including a Kool-Aid consumption contest, a parade, a Fun Run, and boat races. Therefore, if you reside in or around Nebraska, you can participate. However, if you do not, you can celebrate at home with your favourite Kool-Aid.

The background of Kool Aid Day

Nebraska’s designated soft drink is Kool-Aid. Edwin Perkins created Kool-Aid, an American brand of powdered drink blend now owned by Kraft Heinz, in Hastings, Nebraska. Perkins was always interested in chemistry and enjoyed inventing new items. As a child, he toiled after school in his family’s general store and experimented in his mother’s kitchen. Six Delicious Flavours, a new powdered dessert blend known as Jell-O, piqued his interest. Kitty Shoemaker, his childhood friend and prospective wife, introduced him to the product. Then, he persuaded his father to stock Jell-O products in the store.

After completing high school, Perkins established a mail-order business to market the products he had designed. In 1920, he and his wife relocated to Hastings, a more advantageous distribution centre for his company. Fruit Smack, a bottled, concentrated drink blend manufactured by Perkins, was available in six delectable flavours similar to Jell-O. Due to container packaging issues, he devised a method in 1927 for removing the liquid from Fruit Smack so that the remaining powder could be packaged in envelopes. He designed and printed the packaging himself, naming it Kool-Ade, which was later changed to Kool-Aid.

Kool-Aid was initially sold for 10 cents per packet to wholesale grocery and candy retailers in six flavours: cherry, grape, lemon-lime, orange, raspberry, and strawberry. In 1929, Kool-Aid became available in grocery stores across the nation. Due to increased demand, Perkins shifted production of Kool-Aid to Chicago in 1931. During the Great Depression, the price of a packet of Kool-Aid was cut in half to five cents. Perkins sold Kool-Aid to General Foods in 1953. In less than a year, the well-known Smiling Face Pitcher trademark was introduced, followed by the Kool-Aid Man’s “Oh yeah!”

KOOL AIDA DAY EVENTS

Make Kool-Aid beverages and foods.

You used to appreciate Kool-Aid as a child, correct? On a sizzling summer day? Well, as adults, you can commemorate the holiday with various Kool-Aid recipes. There’s Super-Sour Cherry Kool-Aid, Galaxy Slushies, Frozen Creamy Dessert, and Summer Strawberry Pie.

Join the Kool-Aid Days celebration.

If you reside in or near Hastings, you should attend the Kool-Aid Days festival. There are many enjoyable activities, including a Fun Run, car show, parade, and much more, conducted throughout the entire weekend.

Serve as a volunteer

Throughout the festival, you can volunteer. There are positions available for mixing and serving Kool-Aid at the Kool-Aid stand and directing Fun Run participants along the course. Remember that the purpose of Kool-Aid is for everyone to have joy.

5 EDWIN PERKINS FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Perkins was born in Lewis, Iowa, but he and his wife considered Hastings, Nebraska to be their permanent residence.

Jell-O influenced his decision to enter the pre-packaged food industry, as well as his penchant for hyphenating product names: Nix-O-Tine, Motor-Vigor, Onor-Maid, Glos-Comb, Jel-Aid, E-Z-Wash, and Kool-Aid.

He invented Nix-O-Tine, a tobacco remedy that became popular after World War I veterans with cigarette addictions returned home.

Perkins manufactured and sold over 125 distinct products, such as lotions, medications, and detergents.

After the sale of General Foods, Perkins and his wife established foundations for philanthropic purposes.

KOOL AID DAY DATES