Two days, two very distinct sensations

Sweetest Day is on October 17, the third Saturday of the month, but Sourest Day follows about a week later, on October 25.

The first Sweetest Day took place in 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio. Herbert Birch Kingston decided to bring a little happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins and others who were often forgotten.

Over 50 years later, in 1977, Sourest Day made its debut after Richard Ankli of Ann Arbor, Michigan, created it in honor of a friend with the last name Sauer whose birthday lands on October 25.

You can celebrate Sweetest Day by sharing a kind thought, a small gift or a gesture of kindness for a friend or even a stranger. Sweetest Day is a day to give a card with a sweet message to someone you appreciate, or little gifts of candy and other sweets, too. While it is similar to Valentine’s Day, it is not always about romantic love.

You can celebrate Sourest Day by trying all things sour, like citrus fruit or sauerkraut. Take a bite of Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Sour Skittles, or Sour Nerds.

You can find out if there are any Sweetest Day and Sourest Day events that you can attend by asking the nearest church or charity organization or doing an internet search. Some big celebrations for Sweetest Day are located in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin where Sweetest Day first started.

If you want to take someone special someplace for Sweetest Day, you might consider the Makers Market in Napa (Eventbrite) and spend the day together. Sourest Day may be the perfect time to share some sour Jelly Bellies with your family members.