Takoma Park MD
9-02-2026 5:04am

The Popsicle Was Invented by an 11-Year-Old. We Celebrate Him on National Blueberry Popsicle Day.

Four colorful popsicles — two blueberry, two strawberry — rest beside a overflowing cup of fresh blueberries. Stock Photo.

Today, September 2nd, is National Blueberry Popsicle Day — and honestly, could there be a more perfectly timed holiday? Summer's still hanging on, the kids are back in school (or about to be), and that box of popsicles in the freezer is looking awfully lonely. This isn't just any food holiday, though. It also kicks off National Blueberry Popsicle Month. Yes, that's a whole month dedicated to frozen blue goodness.

The Origin Story

Here's where it gets good. The popsicle wasn't invented by some corporate food lab or a culinary school graduate. It was invented by an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson in San Francisco in 1905. Young Frank was mixing water with powdered flavoring to make soda on his porch. He left it there overnight with the stirring stick still in it. That night, temperatures dropped to a record low. The next morning, Frank discovered his drink had frozen solid around the stick. He pulled it out, realized he could eat it, and the popsicle was born.

He called his invention the "Epsicle". But his kids started calling them "Pop's 'sicles," and the name stuck. By 1965, 34 different flavors were being produced — including blueberry. Frank eventually sold the rights to his invention, but the legacy? That's been frozen in time ever since.

Two Recipes to Try

Making your own blueberry popsicles at home is ridiculously simple. Here are two quick options:

Recipe 1: Creamy Blueberry Yogurt Pops

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Blend everything until smooth, pour into molds, insert sticks, and freeze for at least 3 hours. That's it.

Recipe 2: Simple Blueberry-Lemon Pops

  • 2 cups blueberries
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • Pinch of salt

Blend, pour, freeze, enjoy. No yogurt, no fuss — just pure blueberry brightness.

Local Spotlight: Lyon Family Farms

If you want to go straight to the source, head down to Lyon Family Farms in Mechanicsville, Maryland (39010 Lyon Ln). This Southern Maryland farm specializes in U-pick blueberries, along with strawberries and tulips. The berries are "beautiful and bountiful," the rows are neat and organized, and the pricing is reasonable. It's a local gem with easy parking and friendly staff. Just note they're open Saturdays 10 AM – 4 PM, so plan accordingly.

Grab Your Popsicle

Tomorrow, do yourself a favor. Buy a box. Make a batch. Visit a farm. Share a photo with #NationalBlueberryPopsicleDay. Whatever you choose, just make sure you celebrate.

Why This Day Matters

National Blueberry Popsicle Day is not really about the popsicle. It's about the fact that an 11-year-old kid accidentally invented one of the most beloved treats on the planet — and we're still celebrating it over a century later. It's about summer's final gasp, about the simple joy of a cold, sweet treat on a warm day, about supporting local farms that grow the berries that make it all possible.

So, grab a blueberry popsicle — and maybe a strawberry one (or two) for good measure. Taste the history. Celebrate the flavor. And thank Frank Epperson — an 11-year-old kid who left his drink outside on a cold night and accidentally changed the world, one frozen stick at a time.

#NationalBlueberryPopsicleDay #BlueberryPopsicleDay #PopsicleHistory #DMVEats #BlueberryLove #CulturalDMV

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