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The last Thursday of June marks a burst of red, white, and blue brain-freezing fun: National Bomb Pop Day, this year (2025) it falls on June 26. This holiday honors the iconic tri-colored popsicle known as the Bomb Pop – a nostalgic summer treat that has delighted American kids (and kids-at-heart) for generations. Shaped like a rocket with six fins, and striped in patriotic colors, the Bomb Pop is as much a visual symbol of summer as it is a sweet, tongue-staining snack.
Fittingly, National Bomb Pop Day always falls right before Independence Day, making it a perfect kickoff to Fourth of July festivities. On this day, people across the U.S. reminisce about chasing ice cream trucks for a Bomb Pop, enjoy new flavors released by the brand, and celebrate a quirky piece of Americana that’s been cooling us off since the 1950s.
Celebrating National Bomb Pop Day
Celebration ideas for National Bomb Pop Day are as fun and straightforward as you might expect. The number one thing to do: eat a Bomb Pop! Track down the nearest place that sells them – this could be a grocery store (look in the freezer aisle for a box of Bomb Pops) or an ice cream truck if one frequents your neighborhood. Because this day is brand-driven, some local convenience stores or chains partner with Bomb Pop to give out freebies on the last Thursday of June, so keep an eye on local news or the Bomb Pop social media pages for any promotions. There’s nothing quite like unwrapping that frosty popsicle and seeing the vibrant colors before you take a lick.
If you have kids, turn it into a mini celebration. Perhaps host a Bomb Pop party at a community pool or in your backyard. Fill a cooler with ice and stock it with Bomb Pops (and maybe other popsicles for variety) and invite neighbors to swing by. It’s a low-effort, high-enjoyment way to bring people together on a summer evening. You could even incorporate some games – think water balloon tosses or a contest for who can finish a Bomb Pop without getting a brain freeze. For a crafty touch, have the kids draw or color pictures of rocket popsicles, or make Bomb Pop-themed decorations (red, white, and blue streamers, etc.) to hang around.
Adults can get in on the fun too. If you’re feeling whimsical, mix up a Bomb Pop-inspired cocktail. There are recipes out there that mimic the flavors, often layered to get that tri-color effect in the glass (for instance, a grenadine layer, a lemon/vodka layer, and a blue curaçao layer to represent the iconic colors). Sip one of those and you’ll taste the childhood memories with a grown-up twist. And since Bomb Pop Day shares the date with National Chocolate Pudding Day on June 26, you could have a double-dessert extravaganza – though consuming chocolate pudding and a Bomb Pop back-to-back might be a sure path to a sugar rush!
Lastly, share your celebrations online. The Bomb Pop brand often promotes hashtags like #NationalBombPopDay. Post a selfie with your popsicle, or a nostalgic throwback photo of you as a kid enjoying one. It’s a day for collective nostalgia, and you might be surprised how many people have stories like “I always ate the red part first” or “My siblings and I would fight over the last Bomb Pop in the freezer.” These shared experiences underscore why this fun little holiday has appeal – it connects us over a simple, sweet symbol of summer.
Frozen Recipes & Product Picks
- DIY Rocket Pops: Try making your own red, white, and blue popsicles at home. You’ll need popsicle molds and sticks, plus red, white, and blue liquids that can freeze into a tasty pop. For red, you could use cherry juice or fruit punch; for white, perhaps lemonade or coconut water; for blue, a sports drink or blueberry smoothie. Pour the red layer first and partially freeze, then add the white layer, freeze, then blue.
- Bomb Pop Float: In the spirit of a root beer float, drop a Bomb Pop into a glass of lemon-lime soda or seltzer. As it slowly melts, it creates a colorful, sweet fizzy drink.
- Bomb Pop Slushie: Remove the sticks and toss a few Bomb Pops into a blender with a splash of water or lemonade. Blend into a red-white-blue slushie for a homemade Icee-style treat.
- Alternative Flavors Tasting: Bomb Pop now has many flavors. Use Bomb Pop Day to try the Banana Fudge, Watermelon, or Warheads Bomb Pops. Taste-test them with friends and rank your favorites.
For product recommendations: obviously, the Bomb Pop itself is front and center. It’s available in most U.S. grocery stores, often in the popsicle section. If Bomb Pops aren’t in stock, look for similar red-white-blue popsicles like Popsicle brand “Firecrackers.” To keep them cold at outdoor events, use a cooler with ice and salt – a trick that helps things stay colder longer.
The Bomb Pop brand often runs limited-time promotions on Bomb Pop Day. Check their social media for coupons or free delivery deals – nothing beats a free Bomb Pop on a hot summer afternoon!
History of the Bomb Pop
The Bomb Pop was born during the Cold War era – a time when rocket imagery and patriotism were sky-high. In 1955, a pair of innovative popsicle makers in Kansas City, Missouri – James Merritt and D.S. “Doc” Abernathy – created the Bomb Pop. They crafted a frozen treat in the shape of a rocket, colored red, white, and blue. Each color had a different flavor: traditionally cherry (red), lime (white), and blue raspberry (blue). The treat was an instant hit, evoking fireworks and summer celebrations. Its rocket-like appearance and patriotic scheme made it especially popular around July 4th. Merritt and Abernathy sold Bomb Pops through their company, Merritt Foods, delighting kids at pools and parks across the Midwest.
The Bomb Pop’s fame grew, and over time it changed hands. Merritt Foods lasted until 1991, when the brand was acquired by Wells Dairy (the makers of Blue Bunny ice cream). Under Wells, the Bomb Pop continued to thrive and expand. They introduced a variety of new flavors beyond the original – everything from Watermelon Bomb Pops (green, white, pink) to Jolly Rancher Bomb Pops, and even a banana-flavored red-white-blue variation. Despite these innovations, the classic Bomb Pop remains a top seller, especially during summer holidays. It’s not only a treat but a piece of Americana: many adults recall the excitement of hearing the ice cream truck jingle, clutching some coins, and running to buy a Bomb Pop on a hot day.
National Bomb Pop Day was established much more recently. In fact, it’s a specifically branded holiday: in 2021, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bomb Pop’s invention, Wells and Bomb Pop declared the last Thursday of June as National Bomb Pop Day. (Interestingly, 2005 marked 50 years since 1955, which is when some celebrations started at a local level.) The date floats year to year – in 2025 it’s observed on June 26, for example. The choice of Thursday is strategic: it ensures the holiday and its promotions happen on a weekday when stores and pools are open, but also right before a summer weekend. Each year since its inception, Bomb Pop Day has seen special events – from giveaways of free popsicles at local community pools to social media contests where fans share their Bomb Pop moments. The holiday’s purpose is equal parts marketing and merriment: it boosts the Bomb Pop brand while giving everyone an excuse to enjoy a frozen treat and feel like a kid again.
National Bomb Pop Day Calendar
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 26, 2025 | Thursday |
| 2026 | June 25, 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | June 24, 2027 | Thursday |
| 2028 | June 29, 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | June 28, 2029 | Thursday |
Fun Facts about Bomb Pops
Patriotic Origins: The Bomb Pop’s red, white, and blue design was created to echo the American flag and the rocket craze of the 1950s. Its name likely references both rocket shapes and “bombs bursting in air.”
World’s Largest Popsicle: In 2005, a giant red popsicle weighing 17.5 tons was unveiled in New York City, only to melt rapidly and flood Union Square. Not quite a Bomb Pop, but still a popsicle-related world record.
Bomb Pop Day Proclamation: Detroit once officially proclaimed a local Bomb Pop Day in 1991 as part of summer celebrations – a sign of its long-standing local popularity before the national holiday existed.
Cultural cameos: Bomb Pops have appeared in shows like “King of the Hill,” music lyrics, and summer-themed media. Their popularity transcends the brand – much like how gelatin is often called “Jell-O.”
Breaking the Rules: Everyone has their Bomb Pop eating strategy. Whether you go top to bottom or color by color, it’s a rite of summer. Online debates rage over which color tastes best – conduct your own taste test this year!
