Celebrate National S’mores Day

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The largest s’more in the world, created in Deer Run Campground in Gardeners, PA. (Photo Courtesy of Guinness Book of World Records)

Emily Briselli, Managing Editor

The gooey, chocolatey flavor of s’mores is a distinct part of many childhood memories, especially given that we reside in a town aptly named for one of the key ingredients. Although everyday can be a day to eat s’mores, August 10 is uniquely dedicated to the summer treat.

S’mores seem to have been around for forever, but the first recorded recipe for them was actually published in 1927. A girl scout book entitled “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” provided the recipe to the public, and credited it to troop leader Loretta Scott, according to the Girl Scouts of America blog. Scott supposedly made them for her troop by the campfire, then had the recipe included in the book, and, well, the rest is history.

The girl scouts likely never imagined the national sensation that that their simplistic recipe would become as it swept across the United States. S’more eating contests are held across the nation, and families everywhere regularly enjoy them on warm summer nights.

For one group of campers, the sweet treat seemed a bit too small for their liking, so they set out to create the world’s largest s’more. According the the Guinness Book of World Records, “the largest s’more weighs 121.11 kg (267 lbs) and was made at the Deer Run Camping Resort (USA), in Gardners, Pennsylvania, USA, on 31 May 2014.” It took a total of 104 volunteers to create it!

With giant s’mores comes a large amount of ingredients, so it’s no surprise that Americans buy 90 million pounds of marshmallows a year, according to marketplace.org. This totals $125 million spent on marshmallows weighing as much as 45,000 school buses every year.

 

But don’t worry, there’s no need to travel outside of the chocolate bubble for summer s’more fun. In past years, The Hershey Company has partnered with Honey Maid and Jet Puffed (all makers of the three necessary ingredients for a classic s’more) to host special events for National S’mores day, and they are expected to do so again this August. The corporations even created a video last year in honor of National S’mores Day, which can be found here.

No matter where you happen to find yourself on August 10, 2016, remember to share a s’more in honor of this unique holiday.