Lemonade Days in the Bluefields - A Brief History

Whenever the temperature hits 90 degrees in Bluefield, the streets are filled with people waiting in lines, for free lemonade . . .

Arguably the most unique and highly recognized tradition celebrated in the Bluefields, the lemonade promotion is well loved by citizens and has gained national exposure since its beginning in 1939.

Lemonade was first served in "Nature’s Air – Conditioned City" in 1941 and has been served a total of 197 times in the 66 years since then, with the most recent being on September 11, 2007. There have been 33 summers during which the temperature did not reach 90 degrees.

The tradition has proven its staying power by surviving lemon and sugar shortages during WWII, criticism from area clergymen, a strike by the lemonade lassies, and rampant controversy over what constitutes a legitimate lemonade day.

While several things have changed over the years, such as the recipe, the location of temperature readings, and the amount of clothing worn by lemonade lassies, one thing has remained the same: the guarantee that Bluefielders can enjoy good old-fashioned lemonade and a classic tradition during the dog days of summer.

The summer of 2007 proved to be a record-breaking season with 18 days reaching 90 degrees or over. This exceeded the previous 1988 record of 17 times in one year.

Thank you to Kwik Kafe Company, Inc. for donating the lemonade, and thanks to their wonderful staff for the preparation, delivery and pick-up that a lemonade day in the Bluefields requires.