July 20 - National Ugly Truck Day

Happy National Ugly Truck Day! Beyond a doubt, today is a "guy thing". Every guy can appreciate the importance of this day. 

Not to be left out, a fair number of the ladies appreciate (their) ugly truck as well! Ugly trucks are loved and cherished by their owners. 

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And no one knows that more than the owners of a unique kind of vehicle affectionately called ugly trucks. 

It comes as no surprise that there’s a community on Instagram that celebrates these one-of-a-kind rides. 

Apparently, it’s a day set aside just to appreciate the character and scrapes and bumps of older trucks. 

No one is saying that new trucks with all the bells and whistles aren’t great. There’s just something about a truck with some history. 

Now, some folks are taking back the idea of what makes an ugly truck. 

This account uses satire to feature some customized rides that some may think aren’t classically beautiful. 

  

Pick-Up Truck Trivia 

  

Do you know the most popular state for pick-up trucks? If you guessed Texas, you're right! 

Sure, a brand new, shiny truck with all of the gadgets and features still working, is a great thing. However, an old, ugly truck is something to cherish with pride.  

It has character that a new truck sorely lacks. It has a long history of dents, bangs, and scratches, each with their own tale of how it was proudly earned.  

  

Most guys can tell you exactly how and where every dent and scratch occurred, making your ugly truck a walking history book. 

  

On National Ugly Truck Day, go out and take a drive around with a big, broad smile on your face. You can, and should, hold an Ugly Truck contest today. 

But, whatever you do, don't wash or wax your truck at all today! 

  

HISTORY 

  

According to Google, the earliest mention of an ugly truck contest on the web was on October 15, 1996. Today is also known as “Ugly Truck Contest Day” 

  

The website below lists July 20 as “Ugly Truck Contest Day” and offers the following description: 

  

https://secularseasons.org/celebrations/just-for-fun.html 

  

Each year several states hold “ugly truck” competitions. 

While varying in their rules, each is a showcase for the contestants’ well-used pick-ups, vans, and sport utility vehicles. 

Entries can range from ancient, hobbling wrecks to ornately adorned art trucks. 

  

Do you know someone who loves their ugly truck? 

  

#NationalUglyTuckDay 

@UglyTruckDay 

@nichecinema

July 20 - National Lollipop Day

Happy National Lollipop Day!  On July 20, today is recognized as a way to celebrate this enduring and ever-popular treat. Pick up your favorite flavor to savor!  

Different informal terms are used in different places for lollipops as well, including lolly, sucker, sticky-pop, etc. 

Ever delightful and sweet, lollipops have satisfied generations of sweet tooths. And it’s possible they’ve been doing that for centuries.  

However, no one is sure how old the lollipop is. During prehistoric times, a form of lollipop may have preserved nuts and berries in honey. As sugar became plentiful, lollipops appeared much later in 16th century Europe. 

In the United States, confectionaries and medicine shops as early as the 1860s sold lollipops in various forms.  

However, American inventor George Smith of New Haven, Connecticut gave this sweet treat an official 20th-century story. Smith earns credit for inventing the modern style lollipop. 

In 1908, he claimed to be the first to invent the modern style lollipop. He used the idea of putting candy on a stick to make it easier to eat, and initially lollipops were a soft, rather than hard, candy. 

In 1931, Smith trademarked the name which he claims came from his favorite racing horse, Lolly Pops. 

Lollipops range in size. For variety, the smaller candies can be purchased by the bagful. Banks, barbershops, and vendors at parades give the sweet treat away to customers as well!  

Specialty candy shops make giant lollipops in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes. While they are attractive, these lollipops can be cumbersome and often are more than we can handle!

Lollipops in Pop Culture 

This candy made its mark in pop culture. Films, television, and commercials feature the lollipop in various ways.

 

• • 1934 – In the movie Bright Eyes, Shirley Temple sang the song “On the Good Ship Lollipop.” 

• • 1939 – The Wizard of Oz brought us a world of characters, including the Lollipop Guild. Armed with a giant spiral sucker, The Lollipop Guild welcomed Dorothy to the Land of Oz. 

• • 1969 – How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll® center of a Tootsie Pop. 

  The Tootsie Pop (the trademark name for the Tootsie Roll® company and their lollipop) commercial debuted on American television. The sixty-second advertisement included a boy, cow, fox, turtle, owl, and the narrator. 

• • 1973-1978 – How do you make a lollipop look tough? Put it in the hands of Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas). 

  The lollipop-loving detective character was created for the American action crime drama television series Kojak (1973–1978). At the same time, the candy did no harm to the tough guy’s persona. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
“I want candy! I want candy!” Enjoy a lollipop today to celebrate. You can also explore the magic of candy making. Pick up a bagful and give them out to friends, neighbors, and customers, too.  

Beside to give a shout out to your favorite candy shop using #NationalLollipopDay on social media. 

Oh! And don’t forget the National Day Calendar® deals! Find them on the Celebration Deals. 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/celebration-deals/ 

If you have a deal to share for National Day Calendar®, be sure to Contact Us, and they'll get them added.

 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/contact-us/ 

HISTORY 

The National Confectioners Association founded National Lollipop Day.  

Check out these sweet holidays:

• S’mores Day 

• Raspberry Bombe Day 

• Toasted Marshmallow Day 

What is your favorite flavor of lollipop? 

#NationalLollipopDay 

@tootsierollpops 

@tootsierollcharms 

@dumdums 

@chupachups 

@JollyRancher 

@NationalConfectionersAssociation 

@Chordettes

@Foodimentary 

@nichecinema