What is Hoodie Hoo Day?
Hoodie Hoo Day is an unusual holiday celebrated on February 20th each year, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, as a way to bid farewell to winter and usher in the spring. The essence of this day is to inject a bit of fun and silliness into the tail end of winter’s chill. Participants are encouraged to step outside at noon and shout “Hoodie Hoo!” to scare away winter and welcome the upcoming spring​​​​​​.
History and Origin
The holiday was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat, with the intention of adding a little light-heartedness to life. It falls exactly one month before the vernal equinox, signaling that spring is just around the corner. The idea is to gather people together to collectively and metaphorically “shoo” away the cold weather and dark days, making way for the warmer, brighter days of spring​​​​.
How to Celebrate
- Go Out and Shout: The primary tradition involves going outside at noon and shouting “Hoodie Hoo!” as a communal gesture of saying goodbye to winter.
- Involve Friends and Family: It’s more fun to celebrate with others, so gathering friends and family to participate can make the day more memorable.
- Prepare for Spring: Use the day as an opportunity to start preparing for spring. This could involve spring cleaning, planning your garden, or even just thinking about the warmer days ahead​​​​.
Why We Love Hoodie Hoo Day
- Break from Winter: It offers a fun way to break the monotony of winter and get excited about spring.
- Community Bonding: It’s a unique opportunity for communities to come together in a shared activity, fostering a sense of togetherness and fun.
- Embrace Silliness: In the spirit of its creators, Hoodie Hoo Day reminds us of the importance of incorporating silliness and light-heartedness into our lives​​.
Interesting Facts About Spring
- Spring equinox brings equal lengths of day and night.
- It’s a season of renewal, where flowers bloom, and animals become more active.
- Despite its beauty, spring can also bring more tornadoes and spread diseases faster compared to other seasons​​.
Hoodie Hoo Day is more than just a quirky holiday; it’s a light-hearted way to say goodbye to the cold and dark, and hello to light and warmth. Whether or not you believe shouting “Hoodie Hoo!” will hasten the arrival of spring, it’s a great excuse to have a little fun and look forward to the changing seasons.