The solstice is nearly upon us, let us help you to find what you need to know about the summer solstice and why we should celebrate it!
In 2017 the official date of the summer solstice is June 21st.
Depending on the shift of the calendar, the summer solstice is between June 20 and June 22 in the northern hemisphere.
The summer solstice is the longest period of daylight for the year.
The amount of daylight varies based upon location, in the communities of Cook County there will be 16:01 hours of daylight on the summer solstice. That is 35 minutes more daylight than in the Twin Cities?!
What the heck does “solstice” mean?
The word “solstice” derives from two Latin words sol(sun) and sistere(to stand still) because it appears that the sun stops at the solstice. There are two solstices that happen annually when the Earth’s axis is at its most extreme, summer and winter. In June, the earth in the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun making the longest day of the year, while in December it is tilted away from the sun making the shortest day of the year.
It’s the first official day of summer, yet not the warmest - why?
It’s all about the angle of the sun, while the tilt of the Earth is angled for more direct exposure to the sun, the Earth is not closer to the sun. Since the majority of the Earth’s surface is water, it can take up to six weeks for the extreme angle of the sun to penetrate water allowing the temperature to rise. Fortunately due to our proximity to the greatest lake of them all (Lake Superior), even at the peak of summer heat, we stay comfortably cool at about 65-75F for most of the summer.
It is a day to be celebrated!
Throughout the world a variety of cultures celebrate the solstice for different reasons in diverse ways but a common theme is the start to summer life.
It is a great day to get outside and experience the beautiful weather if you can. Go for a hike in the woods, sit by Lake Superior, or go for a paddle in the BWCAW. Whatever you do, it is a great day to be thankful for the light.
Wooden Boat Show & Summer Solstice - June 16-18, 2017
In Grand Marais, we celebrate with the Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival at North House Folk School. It is a craft weekend filled with coursework, demonstrations, a boat parade, auction, and most notably – the annual Solstice Pageant.