A holiday that depends on the weather. Boat races that date as far back as the early 1800s. These are just a pair of traditions that make Newfoundland’s Regatta Day one of the coolest holidays on the Canadian calendar. Celebrated on the first Wednesday of August (usually), Regatta Day is closely associated with the British Monarchy, which is why the boat races on this day are also called Royal St. John’s Regatta.

Festivities and rowing rule the day in the provincial capital of St. John’s on Regatta Day — IF the weather cooperates. City officials meet THAT MORNING to decide whether or not the holiday will commence. Too blustery for a rowing competition on the city’s historic Quidi Vidi Lake? No holiday. Sunshine? Take the day off.

Oh, Canada.

-nationaltoday.com