Celebrate These 5 Quirky March 26 Holidays in Utica
March 26, 2025, is packed with fascinating holidays that offer Utica residents unique ways to celebrate, connect with the community, and embrace the arrival of spring. From health awareness to pop culture celebrations, here’s your guide to making the most of these special observances in the Mohawk Valley.
Purple Day: Supporting Epilepsy Awareness
Purple Day, observed globally on March 26, was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a young Canadian girl who wanted to increase understanding about epilepsy and reduce the stigma surrounding it.
In 2025, the theme “Power In Purple” emphasizes the strength and resilience of the epilepsy community. With over 3.5 million Americans living with epilepsy, chances are you know someone affected by this neurological condition.
Local Connection: The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York serves the Utica area, offering support groups and resources. Utica residents can participate by wearing purple, sharing epilepsy facts on social media with #PowerInPurple, or attending awareness events at Mohawk Valley Community College.
How to Celebrate: Visit the Utica Public Library, which will feature a special display of epilepsy resources. Local businesses like Utica Coffee Roasting Company will offer “Purple Day” specials, with proceeds supporting epilepsy research.
Manatee Appreciation Day: Celebrating Gentle Giants
Manatee Appreciation Day, observed on the last Wednesday in March, raises awareness for these endangered marine mammals facing threats from pollution, habitat loss, and watercraft collisions.
Founded in 1981 by the Save the Manatee Club, this day celebrates these gentle creatures that can weigh up to 1,300 pounds but survive solely on seagrass and other vegetation.
Local Connection: While manatees don’t inhabit the Mohawk River, Utica’s Utica Zoo participates in conservation education programs. The zoo’s aquatic conservation exhibits highlight endangered aquatic species and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
How to Celebrate: Visit the Utica Zoo’s conservation education center or join the Utica Makerspace for a special workshop creating recycled art that raises awareness about marine conservation. The Children’s Museum of History, Science and Technology in nearby Oneonta will host a special manatee-themed educational program.
National Spinach Day: Celebrating a Nutritional Powerhouse
National Spinach Day on March 26 honors this nutrient-packed leafy green that’s been a dietary staple for centuries. Originating in ancient Persia over 2,000 years ago, spinach gained popularity in the United States partly thanks to Popeye the Sailor Man, whose spinach consumption in the 1930s cartoons increased real-world spinach sales by 33%!
Local Connection: Upstate New York’s agricultural heritage includes spinach farming, with several local farms in Oneida County growing this versatile vegetable. The Oneida County Public Market features locally grown spinach from early spring through fall.
How to Celebrate: Visit the Oneida County Public Market to purchase fresh, locally grown spinach. Utica restaurants like The Tailor and the Cook and Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar will feature special spinach-centric dishes. Home cooks can participate in a virtual cooking class hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension, featuring spinach recipes that highlight Utica’s diverse culinary traditions.
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day: Celebrating Creativity
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on March 26 encourages everyone to create a personalized holiday that reflects their passions, quirks, or causes close to their heart. Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, owners of Wellcat Holidays who have invented about 80 unique observances, this day celebrates individuality and creativity.
Local Connection: Utica’s rich cultural diversity and creative spirit make it the perfect place to invent unique holidays. The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute could host a “Create Your Own Holiday” workshop, encouraging residents to develop celebrations that honor Utica’s unique heritage.
How to Celebrate: The Stanley Theatre could host a community brainstorming session for “Only in Utica” holidays, such as “Chicken Riggies Appreciation Day” or “Utica Greens Festival.” Local schools might participate by having students design holidays celebrating the city’s diverse cultural communities.
Live Long and Prosper Day: Celebrating Star Trek’s Legacy
Live Long and Prosper Day commemorates the birthday of Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the iconic half-Vulcan character Spock in the Star Trek franchise. The Vulcan salute and blessing “Live long and prosper” have become cultural symbols of peace, wisdom, and hope for a better future.
Local Connection: Utica has a vibrant community of sci-fi enthusiasts, with regular gatherings at Utica’s comic book shops and gaming stores. The Utica Public Library hosts science fiction book clubs that often discuss Star Trek’s themes of diversity, exploration, and technological advancement.
How to Celebrate: Utica’s Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute could host a Star Trek film screening, while Genesee Street businesses might offer “Vulcan specials.” The MVCC planetarium could hold a special program connecting Star Trek’s vision of space exploration with current astronomical research.
Celebrating Together in Utica
These five unique holidays offer Utica residents wonderful opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate together. Whether you’re raising awareness for epilepsy, appreciating marine conservation, enjoying nutritious spinach, creating your own holiday, or celebrating sci-fi culture, March 26 has something for everyone in our community.
We encourage Phoenix readers to share how they celebrate these special days! Tag us in your social media posts with #UticaPhoenixHolidays or send us your stories and photos for a chance to be featured in our next issue.
