What’s “Top of the Ferris Wheel Day” and Why Should You Celebrate?

OK, this comes courtesy of my mother, Beverly Beckham, who is a columnist for the Boston Globe.

A long time ago, she read “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt and loved it – especially this passage:

“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.”

So, we started celebrating August 1st and called it “Top of the Ferris Wheel Day”. It’s nothing special – there’s no summertime Santa or loads of candy to eat.

It’s just a day to take time to notice all the things.

My mother’s written MANY “Happy Top of the Ferris Wheel Day” columns.

This one is from the Boston Herald, 2004:

Here’s another:

“My favorite holiday isn’t a holiday. Yet. But give it time. August is the only month in which there is no national celebration, no reason to pause or give thanks or remember. And shouldn’t there be? Isn’t August, even by definition, grand and majestic and impressive? Doesn’t it deserve to be honored? Plus, don’t we love holidays, especially the ones where no gift-giving is required?”

You can read all of them HERE

Need some ideas on what to do in August? Check out WROR’s Wicked Summer Fun Guide!