Fruitcake Toss Day

Fruitcake Toss Day: A Quirky Celebration of Dessert Disposal

Fruitcake Toss Day is an annual event celebrated on January 3rd where people gather to throw, hurl, or launch fruitcakes in creative and competitive ways. This lighthearted holiday provides a fun opportunity to dispose of unwanted holiday fruitcakes while engaging in friendly competition.

Quick Facts

When is it?: January 3rd
Tagged as: Fun holiday, Food holiday
What’s the hashtag?: #FruitcakeTossDay
When was it founded?: 1995
Who founded it?: Residents of Manitou Springs, Colorado

History of Fruitcake Toss Day

Fruitcake Toss Day originated in Manitou Springs, Colorado, when a group of locals decided to make a game out of tossing their leftover holiday fruitcakes. The event quickly gained popularity and has since become an annual tradition, attracting hundreds of participants and spectators.

Timeline

1995: The first Great Fruitcake Toss is held in Manitou Springs, Colorado
1996: The event becomes an annual tradition
2007: Boeing engineers set a record by launching a fruitcake 1,420 feet into the air
2014: The event is temporarily canceled due to low attendance
2015: Fruitcake Toss Day is revived with new competitions and activities

Fruitcake Toss Day Dates

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	January 3	Friday
2026	January 3	Saturday
2027	January 3	Sunday
2028	January 3	Monday
2029	January 3	Wednesday
2030	January 3	Thursday

Observed Fruitcake Toss Day

Fruitcake Toss Day is primarily celebrated in the United States, with the most notable event taking place in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Participants gather to compete in various fruitcake-tossing competitions, including distance throws, accuracy challenges, and even mechanical launching devices.

The holiday has gained attention beyond Manitou Springs, with smaller events and private celebrations popping up across the country. Some people choose to mark the day by simply disposing of their unwanted fruitcakes in creative ways.

While not an official holiday, Fruitcake Toss Day has become a beloved tradition for those looking to add some humor and levity to the post-holiday season.

Fun Facts About Fruitcake Toss Day

The longest fruitcake toss on record is 1,420 feet, achieved using a pneumatic cannon
Some participants create elaborate costumes and themes for their fruitcake tosses
Leftover fruitcakes are often donated to local farms for animal feed or composting
The event has inspired similar food-tossing competitions around the world
Fruitcakes used in the competition must meet specific weight and ingredient requirements

Quiz

On what date is Fruitcake Toss Day celebrated?
Where did the first Great Fruitcake Toss take place?
What is the record distance for a fruitcake toss?
What year was Fruitcake Toss Day founded?
What happens to leftover fruitcakes after the event?

(Answers: 1. January 3rd, 2. Manitou Springs, Colorado, 3. 1,420 feet, 4. 1995, 5. They are often donated to farms for animal feed or composting)

FAQs

What are the rules for participating in a Fruitcake Toss competition?
Participants must use real fruitcakes containing fruits and nuts. The cakes are inspected to ensure they don’t contain any harmful ingredients or objects.

Can I make my own fruitcake launcher?
Yes, many participants create their own devices to launch fruitcakes, ranging from simple slingshots to complex mechanical contraptions.

Is Fruitcake Toss Day celebrated outside the United States?
While the main event is in Colorado, similar celebrations have popped up in other countries, though they may not be on the same date.

Are there any prizes for winning Fruitcake Toss competitions?
Many events offer prizes for various categories, such as longest throw, most accurate toss, and most creative launching method.

Is it environmentally friendly to toss fruitcakes?
Organizers often ensure that tossed fruitcakes are collected and disposed of properly, with many being composted or used as animal feed.

Importance of Fruitcake Toss Day

Fruitcake Toss Day serves as a lighthearted way to bring communities together after the holiday season. It encourages creativity, friendly competition, and provides an outlet for disposing of unwanted fruitcakes in a fun and memorable way.

The event also highlights the cultural significance of fruitcakes in holiday traditions, while acknowledging the mixed feelings many people have towards this dense, fruit-filled dessert. By turning fruitcake disposal into a celebration, the holiday helps create positive associations and memories around a often-maligned food item.

Additionally, Fruitcake Toss Day promotes recycling and responsible food waste management, as many events ensure that tossed fruitcakes are put to good use through composting or animal feed programs.