The saying goes “April Showers bring May Flowers,” and some have followed that up with asking, “…so what do Mayflowers bring?” The not very funny answer to that is “Pilgrims,” but May is a month that brings other special days and events that are celebrated in large and small circles. A few weeks from now, this column will look at celebrations of special days commerated, or not, and the suggestion of the possibility of everyday of the year having something to celebrate. The VFTB did a little research to see what some of those days, events, and celebrations, tell us what “May Flowers” actually bring.

– May 1st – May Day, Law Day, Mother Goose Day, International Doodle Day, Learn to Ride a Bike Day, Sunflower Gardening Day

– May 2nd – World Tuna Day, International Harry Potter Day, National Play Your Ukulele Day, National Day of Prayer, World Password Day (change your passwords)

– May 3rd – World Press Freedom Day, National Two Different Colored Shoes Day, Paranormal Day (Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!), National Chocolate Custard Day

– May 4th – Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you!)

– May 5th – Cinco de Mayo, National Astronaut Day, National Hoagie Day, Museum Lover’s Day

– First Sunday in May – World Laughter Day

– First Thursday in May – National Day of Reason

– First Friday in May – School Lunch Hero Day, National Space Day

– First Saturday in May – National Scrapbook Day, National Fitness Day, Free Comic Book Day, Wildfire Preparedness Day, Kentucky Derby Day

– May 6th – International No Diet Day, National Tourist Appreciation Day, National Nurses’ Day

– May 7th – National Teacher Day (First Tuesday of the first full week), National Roast Leg of Lamb Day,

– May 8th – Coconut Cream Pie Day, Have a Coke Day,

– Second Sunday in May – Mother’s Day

– Second Monday in May – National Women’s Checkup Day

– Second Wednesday in May – Receptionists’ Day

– May 9th – Lost Sock Memorial Day

– May 10th – National Clean Your Room Day, National Shrimp Day

– May 11th – National Twilight Zone Day, Eat What You Want Day,

– Second Saturday in May – World Fair Trade Day

– May 12th – National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Nutty Fudge Day

– May 13th – Crouton Day, Fruit Cocktail Day, National Apple Pie Day

– May 14th – National Underground America Day, Buttermilk Biscuit Day, Dance like a Chicken Day

– May 15th – International Family Day, National Chocolate Chip Day, Peace Officers’ Memorial Day

– May 16th – National Sea Monkey Day, National Mimosa Day, National Celiac Awareness Day, Do Something Good for your Neighbor Day, Drawing Day, National BBQ Day

– May 17th – National Cherry Cobbler Day, Walnut Day

– Third Friday in May – National Endangered Species Day, Bike to Work Day, Pizza Party Day

– Third Saturday in May – the Preakness

– May 18th – National Visit Relatives Day, International Astronomy Day, National Armed Forces Day

– May 19th – National Devil’s Food Cake Day, Barber Mental Health Awareness Day

– May 20th – World Bee Day, National Rescue Dog Day

– May 21st – National American Red Cross Day, Talk Like Yoda Day, National Waitstaff Day

– May 22nd – National Maritime Day

– May 23rd – National Taffy Day, World Turtle Day, Lucky Penny Day

– May 24th – National Brothers’s Day, National Road Trip Day (Friday before Memorial Day)

– May 25th – National Wine Day

– May 26th – National Blueberry Cheesecake Day, Paper Airplane Day

– May 27th – Sunscreen Day

– Last Monday in May – Celebrated National Memorial Day

– May 28th – National Brisket Day, Hamburger Day

– May 29th – National Paperclip Day

– May 30th – National Mint Julep Day, National Creativity Day

– May 31st – National Macaroon Day, National Smile Day, National Heat Awareness Day, the Original Celebration Date of Memorial Day.

May is also the month to observe Arthritis Awareness, Better Sleep Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, Women’s Health Care Awareness, and National Walking Awareness, so as you can see, along with all those May Flowers that spring up in May, there are many other things to think about, be cognizant of, and celebrate during (what I like to call) the unofficial start of summer month. Happy celebrating, all!