June 17

National Mascot Day

Show your school spirit and celebrate National Mascot Day - dress up as your favorite mascot and join in the fun!

Yearly Date
June 17
Type
Day

Introduction

Calling all mascots! It's time to celebrate National Mascot Day on June 17th. This special day celebrates the fun and unique personalities that mascots bring to sporting events, schools, and businesses alike. Although it's unclear when exactly this holiday was created, it’s believed to have been around since at least 2000. Whether you're a furry creature, fuzzy animal, or a person dressed in costume – today is your day to shine! So let's get ready for some mascot-filled fun with celebrations all across the country.

National Mascot Day Timeline

1869
First Use of Live Mascot
Yale University's "Handsome Dan" was the first live college mascot, setting a precedent for many schools to follow.
1920
Cartoon Mascot Emergence
The 1920s saw the introduction of cartoon mascots, such as Felix the Cat, to represent businesses and products.
1944
First Superhero Mascot
Captain America became the first superhero used as a mascot during World War II to boost morale and patriotism.
1974
San Diego Chicken Hatches
The San Diego Chicken, one of the first widely popular modern sports mascots, hatches and starts its reign in baseball.
1996
Olympic Mascots Evolution
Izzy, the mascot for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, marked a significant divergence from traditional mascot designs.
2000
National Mascot Day Inception
The celebration of National Mascot Day begins, honoring mascots in sports and schools for their spirited and entertaining performances.

How to Celebrate National Mascot Day

1

Create a Mascot Day parade

Gather up all of your friends and family, dress up in costumes and create a parade to celebrate any and all mascots!

2

Host a mascot-themed party

A mascot-themed party is the perfect way to show your love for your favorite mascot. Invite your friends over to enjoy games, decorations, and snacks that revolve around the mascot.

3

Draw a mascot portrait

Take some time to draw a portrait of your favorite mascot. This could be a great piece of art to hang up in your home or office.

4

Write a letter to your favorite mascot

Take some time to write a letter expressing your appreciation for your favorite mascot. You can even share stories about how you've been inspired by the mascot.

5

Visit the mascot in person

If you're lucky enough to live near the location where the mascot appears, plan a visit and take pictures with them! It's an unforgettable experience and the perfect way to celebrate National Mascot Day.

Why We Love National Mascot Day

A

Mascots bring joy & excitement

Mascots are a fun and exciting way to add some extra energy and enthusiasm to any event. Whether they’re performing cheers on the sidelines of a sporting event or singing songs with children, mascots help create an unforgettable atmosphere that everyone can enjoy!

B

Mascots create a sense of community

A mascot helps to form a connection between people - it gives them something in common to talk about and celebrate. Mascots represent unity and bring people together, making it easier for communities to build stronger relationships with each other.

C

Mascots promote school spirit

The presence of a mascot at school events is sure to get students excited and fired up! A mascot encourages school pride and makes activities like pep rallies more meaningful. Plus, having a mascot can help boost morale during difficult times and increase the overall positive culture of the school!

National Mascot Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Jun 17
Saturday
2024
Jun 17
Monday
2025
Jun 17
Tuesday
2026
Jun 17
Wednesday
2027
Jun 17
Thursday