Northwest Iowa — The Summer Solstice, which is the official start of the summer season, took place Friday morning (June 21st).
The Summer Solstice is the exact moment when the sun reaches both its highest and northernmost point in the sky in the northern hemisphere. However, in the southern hemisphere the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, and marks the start of the winter season.
Here in northwest Iowa, the Summer Solstice happened at 10:54 Friday morning. The first day of summer marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. In northwest Iowa Friday brought with it 15 hours and 51 minutes of daylight, and just 8 hours and 9 minutes of darkness.
Some places celebrate the Summer Solstice in a big way, with lots of food, music and adult beverages. In Russia and the Ukraine some celebrate the Summer Solstice by jumping over the flames of bonfires as a test of bravery and faith. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect there may be some adult beverages involved prior to the jumps.
In New York City there’s a public Summer Solstice yoga event in Times Square, which seems rather boring considering how the Russians celebrate.
In Seattle, there’s an annual Summer Solstice Parade that normally includes bicycle riders who are clothed in nothing but body paint.
Enjoy the longest day of the year, and have a great summer!
