Just like the Olympics, a leap year comes along only every four years, and it brings with it a special gift: an extra day—February 29th—to balance our calendar with the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Now that’s a reason to celebrate, so let’s leap right in!
The Leap Year Lowdown
Our calendar year runs on a 365-day cycle to match the Earth’s orbit around the sun. But – fun fact! – our planet takes about 365.25 days to complete this orbit. This means that over time, those extra quarter-days add up, and every four years, we have enough leftover time to add an extra day to the calendar. It’s a little cosmic bookkeeping that ensures that our seasons remain consistent over time. Pretty neat, right?
Leap into Celebration!
People born on February 29th are known as “leapers” or “leaplings.” Some leapers choose a different day to celebrate since February 29th doesn’t occur annually. Others hold out for a special milestone celebration every 4 years! And they find themselves in good company – in the spirited twin towns of Anthony, TX, and Anthony, NM—the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capitals of the World—leap year is celebrated with a giant party that includes visiting a local ranch, square dancing, and birthday cake.
Leap Year Eats
Even if it’s not your extra special milestone birthday, it’s still fun to celebrate a curious calendar! And unlike some other holidays, the Leap Day menu isn’t set in stone, so creativity rules! Why not play with the idea of balance and make a dish that embodies balanced flavors like Sweet and Savory Middle Eastern Hummus? Or make a nutritionally balanced snack like Rainbow “Crudités” Veggie Sticks + Cool Ranch Dip for One? You could even have fun with the theme of leaping – spring rolls, anyone? En-DIVE salad? Or how about making a batch of Jumping Jackfruit BBQ Sliders? to add a bounce to your plate?
No matter how you choose to spend this extra bonus day, here’s to making it deliciously fun and memorable!
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