Pinot's Palette Apex

Pinot’s Palette Apex and Leap Day 2020

We’ve all heard that 2020 is a leap year, but what does this really mean? It means we have an extra day in February this year. February 29 is a date that usually occurs every four years, and is called leap day. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure because the Earth does not orbit the sun in precisely 365 days. So, yes, once every four years, people born on Feb. 29 actually get to celebrate their birthday!

While in many countries and cultures people seem to have unfavorable superstitions around Leap Day - Leap Year, there is also this fun and romantic tradition. According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men on a leap day. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how leap day balances the calendar. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman's proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages, there were laws governing this tradition.

When it comes to Leap Day superstitions, the spiritual community sees February 29th in a positive light. They believe the day is good for healing, learning, and love.

Fun fact about Leap Day and Leap Year back home in the states. Did you know there is a ‘Leap Capital of the World’ in the United States? Anthony, Texas, is known as the “Leap Capital of the World”. Every leap year, this tiny town hosts the Worldwide Leap Year Festival. Since 1988, Anthony throws birthday festivals every leap year for people born on February 29. People throughout the USA and overseas travel to this tiny town to take part in parades, birthday dinners, and hot air balloon lifts. Participants range from babies celebrating their first birthday to people in their 90s celebrating another leap day birthday. In 1992 a man registered his 104-year-old mother, born on a leap day, for the festival.

Given all the fun facts, we here in Pinot’s Palette Apex think Leap Day ought to be romantic and fun. We will start with a romantic painting on Friday, February 28th in the evening - “Paris Rendezvous”

https://www.pinotspalette.com/apex/event/415418

Traditions can be great fun for kids not to mention helping to build strong family ties so we are having a kids class on Leap Day, Saturday, February 29th at 11:00 am for the kids! It will be a ton of fun! https://www.pinotspalette.com/apex/event/404301

In the afternoon of Leap Day, we have our Bottomless Mimosa event where you can get unlimited refills of refreshing mimosa at only $12 while you paint. The painting is beautiful and fun. https://www.pinotspalette.com/apex/event/415422

In the evening we will paint “Backyard Bouquet’, to wrap a perfect Leap Day. If you get engaged, then congratulations; if you get 12 pairs of gloves, then you deserve better! Either way, let’s celebrate YOU!

https://www.pinotspalette.com/apex/event/419129

Can’t wait to see you!