National Flip Flop Day
ational Flip Flop Day celebrates the beloved summer footwear that has become synonymous with casual, warm-weather living. This fun holiday combines the joy of comfortable sandals with charitable giving.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: Friday after Memorial Day (changed from third Friday in June since 2023)
- Tagged as: Unofficial National Holiday
- What’s the hashtag?: #NationalFlipFlopDay #FlipFlopDay
- When was it founded?: 2007
- Who founded it?: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
History
The tradition began as Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s 10th-anniversary celebration, combining customer appreciation with charitable giving. The company offers free smoothies to customers wearing flip-flops while raising funds for Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Timeline
- 4000 BC: Ancient Egyptians create first sandal-like footwear
- 1940s: Japanese zori inspires modern flip-flop design
- 2007: National Flip Flop Day established
- 2019: World’s largest flip-flop created in Brazil (30 feet long)
- 2023: Date changed to Friday after Memorial Day
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Month | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | June | 21 |
| 2025 | June | 20 |
| 2026 | June | 19 |
| 2027 | June | 18 |
| 2028 | June | 16 |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by wearing flip-flops, visiting Tropical Smoothie Cafe for free smoothies, and making donations to Camp Sunshine. Many also use this day to kick off their summer activities and beach visits.
Fun Facts About Flip-Flops
- Brazil is considered the world’s Flip-Flop Capital
- Americans spent over $2.5 billion on flip-flops in 2017
- The most expensive flip-flops cost $18,000
- Different names worldwide: “jandals” (New Zealand), “thongs” (Australia), “slops” (South Africa)
Quiz
- Where were the earliest sandals found?
- What year was National Flip Flop Day founded?
- What’s the world record for largest flip-flop?
-(Answers: 1. Egypt, 2. 2007, 3. 30 feet long)
FAQs
Q: Do I need to wear flip-flops to get a free smoothie?
A: Yes, you must wear flip-flops to participating Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations.
Q: Is this an official national holiday?
A: No, it’s an unofficial celebration created by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Importance of National Flip Flop Day
The day serves dual purposes: celebrating summer casual wear while supporting charitable causes. Through this celebration, millions of dollars have been raised for Camp Sunshine.
Related Holidays
- National Sandal Day
- Summer Solstice
- Beach Day
- National Smoothie Day
- Memorial Day