Drinking Holidays

DRINKING HOLIDAYS Some holidays seem to go with drinking and others have just been co-opted by people looking for an excuse to drink. Here's a tour through the calendar at some of the biggest drinking days. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY Americans buy about 50 MILLION cases of beer in the two weeks before the big game (and that doesn't include kegs of beer). MARDI GRAS Fat Tuesday is the "last hurrah" before Lent starts, so people take advantage of feasting and drinking lots of alcohol. St. Patrick's Day March 17 honors Ireland's patron saint, which translated to parades and green beer in the United States. Derlily Day On the first Saturday in May during the Kentucky Derby, people traditionally drink mint juleps. Derbygoers consume more than 120,000 juleps every year! CINCO DE MAYO A celebration of Mexican heritage that commemorates an 1862 military victory. Increased migration from Mexico brought Cinco de Mayo parties with lots of tequila and margaritas. MEMORIAL DAY Drinking is a big part of the traditional start of summer. An average of 161 people are killed in car accidents per weekend day, with 40 percent linked to drunk driving. Fourth of July A holiday marketed for BBQs and drinking. In 2008, it was the deadliest three-day weekend. HOLLOWEEN This kids' holiday has been adopted by adults. Has more pedestrian deaths than any other day. Thanksgiving The period from Wednesday through Sunday consistently ranks among the days with the most alcohol-related traffic deaths. Christmas December overall is one of the months with the highest death rate per mile driven. Nearly 40 percent of these fatalities are due to drunk driving. NEW YEAR'S One of the biggest holidays for drunk driving deaths. RCx Sources: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/02/most-dangerous-holidays-for-hitting-the-road/ http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1986906,00.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1730185/pdf/v011p00018.pdf Recovery Connection® www.recoveryconnection.org DRINKING HOLIDAYS Some holidays seem to go with drinking and others have just been co-opted by people looking for an excuse to drink. Here's a tour through the calendar at some of the biggest drinking days. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY Americans buy about 50 MILLION cases of beer in the two weeks before the big game (and that doesn't include kegs of beer). MARDI GRAS Fat Tuesday is the "last hurrah" before Lent starts, so people take advantage of feasting and drinking lots of alcohol. St. Patrick's Day March 17 honors Ireland's patron saint, which translated to parades and green beer in the United States. Derlily Day On the first Saturday in May during the Kentucky Derby, people traditionally drink mint juleps. Derbygoers consume more than 120,000 juleps every year! CINCO DE MAYO A celebration of Mexican heritage that commemorates an 1862 military victory. Increased migration from Mexico brought Cinco de Mayo parties with lots of tequila and margaritas. MEMORIAL DAY Drinking is a big part of the traditional start of summer. An average of 161 people are killed in car accidents per weekend day, with 40 percent linked to drunk driving. Fourth of July A holiday marketed for BBQs and drinking. In 2008, it was the deadliest three-day weekend. HOLLOWEEN This kids' holiday has been adopted by adults. Has more pedestrian deaths than any other day. Thanksgiving The period from Wednesday through Sunday consistently ranks among the days with the most alcohol-related traffic deaths. Christmas December overall is one of the months with the highest death rate per mile driven. Nearly 40 percent of these fatalities are due to drunk driving. NEW YEAR'S One of the biggest holidays for drunk driving deaths. RCx Sources: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/02/most-dangerous-holidays-for-hitting-the-road/ http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1986906,00.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1730185/pdf/v011p00018.pdf Recovery Connection® www.recoveryconnection.org