Every year Tolkien fans around the world raise a toast to Bilbo and Frodo on September 22, missing their birthday by 8 days. This year (as in all other leap years), if you wait until September 22 you’ll miss the actual birthday by 9 days.
The Shire Calendar uses a very different arrangement from ours, so if you really want to observe Frodo and Bilbo’s birthday according to their calendar, you need to plan your annual Hobbit birthday party for this Saturday, September 13 (according to our calendar).
September 13 is September 22 during leap years. Or, rather, September 13 is equivalent to the Shire’s September 22 in leap years.
If it’s not too late, ask your friends to get together to watch the Peter Jackson movies (or watch “The Hobbit” with your kids). Eat some Shepherds Pie or prepare a meal of roast meats fresh fruits and wine (grape juice for those of us who don’t drink wine).
Read a passage from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings.
Have a little Hobbit costume contest. Write a Hobbit drinking song or poem. Practice your Spring-Ring dancing to Emerald Rose’s music.
And if you want to join all the other Tolkien fans who celebrate on the wrong day that’s okay too. After all it’s the thought that counts isn’t it?
See you in the Shire….