In the Summertime Trivia Quiz

Answer: northern/southern

Things are a bit different for those down there (or up there) on the other half of the world. The exact dates for seasonal ranges vary by country, region, and calendar used but these are the most generally accepted time ranges. Think of holidays you strongly associate with a particular season and imagine it in the opposite kind of weather. Also we should give a nod to those living in the tropics who essentially enjoy perpetual summer. How would it be?

Answer: Sweden

Though midsummer/summer solstice festivals are common in many places around the world, arguably none are bigger than those held in Sweden and parts of neighbouring Finland with a large Swedish population. There has even been serious talk of moving Sweden's national day to Midsummer's Eve. Sweden as a whole tries to make the most of a short summer season with a long holiday period, and at a fair distance from the equator the days are very long.

The oldest traditions of the day center on the midsommarstång, which is typically decorated with a mixture of pagan fertility symbols, cross pollinated (so to speak) with some Christian symbolism. Local traditions vary but dancing around the "maypole" is a constant.

Answer: Dragon boat

Duanwu evolved over time to be celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, meaning its date will vary year by year on the Gregorian calendar but it is usually sometime in June. Various origin stories exist for the festival but almost all versions agree the festival was started to honor Qu Yuan, a Zhou dynasty poet and advisor to the royal house of Chu who was accused of treason and exiled when he advised the Chu king against an alliance with the rival state of Qin. Years later the alliance went sour to the point of open warfare and Qin eventually captured the Chu capital. Qu Yuan was so distraught when the capital fell, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. Legend holds that local villagers raced out in boats to try and save him (hence the tradition of the races), and, upon resigning that their rescue attempt was in vain, began dropping balls of rice into the river as a symbolic offering to Qu Yuan and/or to prevent the fish from eating his body.

This is said to be the origin of zongzi (dumplings), a food with strong ties to Duanwu.

Answer: It is hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk

Yes that is right, the "fry an egg on the sidewalk" contest has become a summer staple and even a mild tourist draw for Oatman. In everyday use, this statement is blatent hyperbole and just a humorous way to say it is very hot outside, but over the years, numerous attempts have been made in various locales to test if you really can fry an egg on a sidewalk. Even on a very hot day the answer is generally no. Usually the concrete simply is not hot enough so these attempts typically end in a gooey, half cooked mess.

However, summer temperatures in Arizona regularly ride around 105 F (40 C) or higher which makes the minimum "griddle" egg frying temperature of about 160 F (70 C) more plausible. In 1991 during a heatwave in Oatman the tradition was born. Contestants and spectators line the street and at exactly noon, all entrants simultaneously crack open their eggs which are then allowed 15 minutes to cook. Implements to better capture and focus sunlight are allowed (such as mirrors, magnifying glasses, and foil). The use of foil or some other non-stick surface is strongly encouraged since the first contest in 1991 ended in disaster with eggs stuck to the pavement when placed on it directly. Non-solar heat sources such as fire or electric powered cooking tools are forbidden. The winner is the one judged as having produced the most edible-looking result.

Answer: Japan

Traditional Buddhist activities for Obon or Bon include a ceremonial dance, preparation of an in-home altar where the deceased can visit as spirits, as well as visitation/cleaning of the graves of said ancestors. The familial nature of the festival has led naturally to family reunions frequently being arranged around it and the holiday has been secularized somewhat over its roughly half a millennium of existence, so much so that it has come to be celebrated as a general holiday as much as a religious one and the timing has even been moved in some southern hemisphere locales to keep it in summer.

Answer: Goat

The fair is held starting on the 10th of August in Killorglin, County Kerry. The fair can only officially be traced back to the early 1600s but it is believed to be much older than that. It begins on "Gathering Day" with a hunting party having gone into the mountains earlier, returns with a goat deemed suitable to carry the heavy mantle of leadership. A local schoolgirl having been named the Queen of Puck conducts a coronation ceremony where the goat is crowned King Puck. The King then rules for three days over the town and over such events as a parade, horse fair and loads of carnival attractions.

Fear not for the fate of the King. On "Scattering Day", though he is forced to abdicate, the goat is returned safely to his mountain home...perhaps with a wild tale for the other goats. "You're not going to believe this! Not only did they not eat me, but..."

Answer: Watching a meteor shower

Meteor showers are a big draw for both long term enthusiasts and newcomers. Though stargazing can be done on a clear night in any season, the warmer temperatures of summer make it generally more enjoyable and some of the most spectacular showers are seen in summer with the Perseids in mid August for the Northern Hemisphere and the Geminids in December for the Southern Hemisphere.

The names come from the constellations in the portion of sky where those showers are most prevalent (Gemini and Perseus respectively)

Answer: South Africa

The term braai comes from the Afrikaans word braaivleis meaning roasted meat. Think of it as a cook-out or barbeque for a point of reference but it is more than just the food. No particular holiday is needed (although South Africa does have an official Braai Day) as a braai, once planned, becomes its own event, and can be used to celebrate homecomings, farewells, promotions, graduations, birthdays... Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays ... okay, you get it. Braais happen any time friends and family want to gather and celebrate. They can occur all year long but are strongly tied to summer. The traditional cooking method is over a wood fire and though many braais are done over charcoal, traditionalists insist on wood.

Often it becomes a bit of a potluck affair with guests bringing side dishes or meat of their own to be cooked. A traditional staple is pap (porridge) to be eaten along with the meat. The food will vary quite a bit by region and by personal tastes.

The dop (drink) is also a must. Though the term does not designate a particular type of beverage, in practice beer and wine seem to dominate.

Answer: Golf balls

The city rests on a considerable slope and on Miners' Day (recognizing the city's history in the silver mining industry), the main street is blocked off and a bound track is set up in the middle third of the street. At the start of the course, a large reservoir of yellow golf balls (about 10,000) is positioned atop a sluice-like ramp, and the entire mass is released at the appointed time. Just moments earlier, the runners are given a go signal and begin the frantic descent hoping to reach the safe zone beyond the finish line unscathed

It may all sound like a big joke in comparison to the threat of getting gored by a bull, and in truth it mostly is, but if you fell and got pelted by hundreds and maybe thousands of golf balls it would not be your best day! The balls are all numbered and may be "adopted" for the day for a nominal fee and the chance to win prizes if your number is called as one of the winning balls. The money raised goes towards various charities. Even if you don't win or run, you can still get in on the action as every year dozens of the feistiest balls jump the track and spill into the crowd, where onlookers are encouraged to toss them back in and send them on their way.

Answer: Stay inside to not get burnt

In other words, summer is a good time to get out as much as you can and enjoy life, whatever that may mean doing for you personally.

One line in the song seems to sum up the whole point with a pitch for unquenchable optimism and enjoying carefree days as much as you can:

"We're always happy
Life's for livin' yeah that's our philosophy."