5 Quirky Holidays to Celebrate on March 4th in Utica

Every day offers a reason to celebrate something special, and March 4th is no exception! While many of us focus on major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, these unique observances add color to our calendar and give us unexpected reasons to smile. Today, we’re exploring five fascinating holidays celebrated on March 4th that you can enjoy right here in Utica. From honoring our military personnel to indulging in delicious pound cake, these special days offer perfect opportunities to break the late-winter monotony and create memorable experiences with friends and family throughout our community.

1. National Hug a G.I. Day

National Hug a G.I. Day was established to honor and appreciate the men and women who serve or have served in the U.S. military. Created in 2009 by Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith, this day encourages Americans to show gratitude to military personnel through the simple yet powerful gesture of a hug.

The timing of this holiday is particularly significant as it falls just before March 5th, which was the day the Pentagon officially named “Operation Iraqi Freedom” in 2003. The holiday serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices made by service members and their families.

Celebrating this day can be as simple as giving a hug to a G.I. you know, but there are many other meaningful ways to observe it. You might send care packages to deployed troops, volunteer at a veterans’ organization, or simply take time to listen to veterans’ stories.

Here in Utica, we have strong military connections with the nearby Rome Air Force Research Laboratory and the former Griffiss Air Force Base. The Central New York Veterans Outreach Center on Washington Street provides essential services to our local veterans, and today would be the perfect opportunity to donate or volunteer. You could also visit the Utica Military History Center to learn more about our community’s rich military heritage.

For families with children, consider making thank-you cards to send to active military personnel or visiting the Veterans Memorial Park at the Parkway Center to pay respects to those who have served.

2. National Pound Cake Day

Who doesn’t love a good pound cake? This delicious dessert gets its own special day on March 4th, celebrating one of America’s oldest and most beloved baked goods. Traditional pound cake earned its name from its original recipe: one pound each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar—simple ingredients that created a dense, rich treat.

Dating back to the 1700s, pound cake has evolved over centuries with countless variations, but its comforting appeal remains unchanged. The holiday celebrates not just the cake itself, but the tradition of baking and sharing food with loved ones—a custom that transcends cultures and generations.

Celebrating National Pound Cake Day is deliciously simple: bake or buy a pound cake and enjoy it with family and friends! You might try a traditional recipe or experiment with creative variations like chocolate marble, lemon, or even savory versions.

Utica’s rich Italian heritage means we know a thing or two about good baking! Local bakeries like Florentine Pastry Shop on Bleecker Street and Hemstrought’s Bakeries offer excellent pound cakes with their own special touches. For those who prefer to bake at home, the Oneida County Public Market at Union Station features local vendors selling farm-fresh eggs and butter—perfect ingredients for your homemade pound cake.

Consider hosting a pound cake tasting party with friends, where everyone brings a different variation, or donate pound cakes to the Rescue Mission of Utica to spread some sweetness to those in need.

3. March Forth and Do Something Day

March Forth and Do Something Day is a clever play on words—”March Fourth” sounds like “march forth,” creating a natural call to action. This holiday encourages everyone to take steps toward achieving goals, trying something new, or making positive changes in their lives and communities.

Unlike many holidays with specific historical origins, March Forth and Do Something Day emerged organically as a motivational observance. Its simple premise has resonated with people looking for inspiration to overcome procrastination and take meaningful action.

The beauty of this holiday lies in its flexibility—you can “march forth” in whatever way makes sense for your life. Start that project you’ve been putting off, volunteer for a cause you care about, or finally make that doctor’s appointment you’ve been delaying.

For Uticans, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved with local initiatives. Consider volunteering with the Utica Monday Nite arts and cultural series, joining cleanup efforts at the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area, or supporting refugee integration programs through The Center (formerly the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees).

Local businesses like Utica Coffee Roasting Company make great meeting spots for community planning sessions, while the Oneida County History Center offers volunteer opportunities for those interested in preserving our rich local heritage.

4. National Grammar Day

“March forth” on March 4th to celebrate National Grammar Day! Established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG), this holiday celebrates the importance of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in effective communication.

The date was cleverly chosen as a pun—”March fourth” sounds like a command to go forth and use good grammar. The holiday aims to promote clear communication while having fun with language rather than being pedantic about rules.

Celebrating National Grammar Day can be both educational and entertaining. You might challenge friends to spot grammar errors in public signage, host a grammar-themed trivia night, or simply take a moment to appreciate the beauty and complexity of language.

In Utica, our multicultural community makes this holiday especially meaningful. With over 40 languages spoken in our city due to our significant refugee and immigrant populations, we have a unique appreciation for the challenges and joys of language learning.

The Utica Public Library offers excellent resources for language learning and literacy, while local bookstores like Calabria Coffee on Genesee Street provide cozy spots to enjoy language-focused books. Consider supporting the Literacy Coalition of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, which works to improve literacy rates in our region.

For educators and students at Utica University, MVCC, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute, this is a perfect day to organize grammar workshops or language exchange programs that celebrate both standard English and the linguistic diversity that enriches our community.

5. International Scrapbooking Industry Day

Crafters rejoice! March 4th is International Scrapbooking Industry Day, celebrating the creative hobby that helps preserve memories through photos, memorabilia, and artistic expression. This holiday honors not just the craft itself, but the entire industry of suppliers, designers, and educators who support it.

The scrapbooking industry has evolved dramatically since its modern resurgence in the 1980s and 90s. What began as simple photo albums with handwritten notes has transformed into a multi-billion dollar industry with specialized papers, tools, embellishments, and digital options.

Celebrating this day can involve starting a new scrapbook project, organizing a crop party (where scrapbookers gather to work on projects together), or supporting local craft stores. It’s also a perfect time to digitize old photos or learn new scrapbooking techniques.

Utica’s rich history makes it a perfect place for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Our industrial past, diverse cultural heritage, and beautiful architecture provide endless inspiration for memory-keeping projects. Local craft stores like Michael’s at Sangertown Square offer supplies and sometimes host workshops for beginners and experienced scrapbookers alike.

The Oneida County History Center would be thrilled to see community members preserving their personal connections to Utica’s history through scrapbooking. Consider creating pages about family experiences at the Boilermaker Road Race, Utica Monday Nite events, or the Utica Greens Festival—all unique aspects of our local culture worth documenting.

Celebrate Every Day in Utica Style!

These five unique holidays on March 4th remind us that there’s always something to celebrate, even on seemingly ordinary days. Whether you’re hugging a veteran, enjoying pound cake, taking action on a goal, appreciating proper grammar, or preserving memories through scrapbooking, these observances add meaning and joy to our daily lives.

Here in Utica, our diverse community offers countless ways to make these celebrations special and locally relevant. Our rich history, cultural diversity, and strong community spirit provide the perfect backdrop for creating meaningful experiences around these quirky holidays.

We’d love to hear how you celebrate these special days! Share your Hug a G.I. Day experiences, pound cake recipes, “march forth” accomplishments, grammar pet peeves, or scrapbooking projects in the comments below or on The Utica Phoenix social media pages.

Looking for more ways to connect with your community? Check out our events calendar for upcoming local gatherings, or consider subscribing to The Utica Phoenix to stay informed about all things Utica. Together, we can make every day special in our beloved city!