When is Labor Day 2011? The national holiday, which always takes place on the first Monday in September, will occur on September 5, 2011. Known as the working-man's holiday,
Labor Day is a time to celebrate the strength of the American workforce. If you and your family are looking for a way to celebrate, try one of the following options.
1. Attend a Labor Day Parade
Labor Day parades have been a part of the celebration for this national holiday since the first Labor Day celebration in 1882. Today, major cities and small towns continue to host parades. Check with your city to find out the
Labor Day 2011 parade schedule for your area or consider attending one of the following parades:
- The West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival – This Labor Day parade is the largest street parade hosted by New York. It attracts over three million participants, including live performers and masqueraders. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will start at the intersection of Rochester & Eastern Parkway. While this parade takes place on Labor Day, it is a West Indies cultural celebration.
- The Labor Day Parade in Gaithersburg, Maryland – The City of Gaithersburg will host its 73rd Labor Day parade on September 5, 2011. The city's close proximity to the Washington D.C. area makes this parade an attractive option for people who want to celebrate Labor Day in a traditional manner.
- The Chaplin Labor Day Parade - The Chaplin Labor Day Parade is one of the most popular street parades in South Carolina. Don't miss the games at the children's carnival or the live entertainment at the Chaplin Idol tryouts.
2. Celebrate Labor Sunday
In 1909, the American Federation of Labor resolved to celebrate the Sunday preceding Labor Day as Labor Sunday. According to the
U.S. Department of Labor, the resolution dedicated Labor Sunday as a day when the American workforce could focus on spiritual and educational endeavors. Organizations that supported Labor Sunday often allowed workers to have Sunday and Monday off from work, which evolved into today's
Labor Day Weekend. This year, consider celebrating Labor Sunday by attending church services or by visiting a local library.
3. Join in the Fun of a Labor Day Event
Destinations from coast to coast will host special Labor Day events that you won't want to miss. Consider attending one of the following five events:
- The Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk:
Labor Day 2011 will be the 54th anniversary for this Michigan tradition, which begins at 7:00 a.m. at the Mackinac Bridge. The 26,372-foot bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world and the longest one in the western hemisphere. It spans the distance between the state's upper and lower peninsulas, crossing the Mackinac Straits.
The Mackinac Bridge Walk isn't for the faint of heart — suspension bridges sway with the wind, and the gusts hitting the bridge can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. All bridge walkers who complete the walk will get a walk certificate with a number. If your number matches one of the numbers on display at local stores, you could win a prize from that store. The top prizes can be worth $150! If you can't make it to the event, check it out online via the Mackinac Bridge's web cams.
- The Gold Rush Days:
If you live in California, consider checking out Gold Rush Days 2011, slated for Labor Day Weekend. The three-day event takes place in Old Sacramento and celebrates the area's heritage by bringing the 1850s to life.
Guests can enjoy free access to the select area museums, period-specific activities and free admission. Common activities include pony and train rides, live entertainment and panning for gold. Many of the participants dress in historic apparel, and you can enjoy cannon firing and other re-enactments. Stop by the Artisan Alley for some early Christmas shopping or buy fresh produce from the on-site farmer's market. The Labor Day Weekend event will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 3 to 5, 2011.
- NASCAR Racing at The Atlanta Motor Speedway:
Starting September 2, 2011, the Atlanta Motor Speedway will host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Labor Day Weekend event will kick off with the Camping World Truck Series 200-miler. Saturday's events will feature NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Sunday will bring out the big dogs. NASCAR greats, including Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson, will race in the namesake event. Labor Day 2011 will be the third year for the event. Tickets are already on sale.
- The Rocky Mountains:
Whether you live in Colorado or you want to plan a trip to a beautiful region, you're sure to find plenty of Labor Day activities to keep you busy. Start with the Aspen/Snowmass Labor Day Jazz Festival. This event takes place at Snowmass Town Park, which is just 15 minutes from Aspen. Enjoy live performances from bands including Girl Talk, Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, and the Zac Brown Band. The event does not allow coolers, so plan to grab a bite from one of the vendors at the international festival or from the local restaurants.
Another Colorado Labor Day event takes place in Breckenridge. Take advantage of travel deals designed to attract your attention and a full roster of Labor Day activities. You can join in the fun of the Summit Foundation's Rubber Duck Race, stroll through the booths at the Great Divide Arts Festival, sample varietals at the Wine Festival, or participate in the Breck Crest Trail Marathon. The fun starts on September 2 and ends September 6, 2011.
- The Bumbershoot Labor Day Party in Seattle:
The Seattle Music and Art Festival's Bumbershoot enters its 41st year on Labor Day 2011. The event, which takes place at the Seattle Center, draws artists from across the world, and it features film, dance, visual art, music, comedy, and theatre. This event is the largest Labor Day party in an urban area, and it draws over 100,000 visitors a year.
4. Have a Labor Day Picnic
While
Memorial Day often kicks off summer, Labor Day tends to be the last major event of the season, especially in places where fall temperatures come early. Take advantage of the great weather and host a Labor Day picnic. Don't settle for the standard picnic lunch; instead, try one of these themes:
- Service Workers' Favorites – Labor Day is a time when unsung heroes have a chance to appreciate their contribution to America and to their local communities. Pay tribute to firefighters, post office employees and other people who serve you on a daily basis. Consider serving Seattle Fire Station 25 Meatloaf or Firehouse Frittata.
- America's Melting Pot – Even though Labor Day is an American holiday, the national workforce relies on people from diverse backgrounds to maintain its strength. Why not pay tribute to your cultural heritage with a Labor Day picnic that features classic meals from other countries. Start with German Potato Salad and add Vietnamese sandwich. Follow it up with your favorite international dessert.
- Labor Day BBQ – Labor Day weekend may be the last chance you have to grill, so celebrate the holiday with a variety of Labor Day recipes that feature barbeque sauce. For a quick Midwestern sauce, simmer ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, paprika, minced garlic, cayenne and chili powder in a medium-sized saucepan for 25 minutes.
Enjoy Labor Day Weekend 2011
Labor Day pays tribute to the American workforce, but it is a time for everyone to celebrate. Regardless of whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a corporate worker or a job seeker, enjoy the national holiday and its significance to the U.S. Don't forget to check out our DIY for other ideas on celebrating
national holidays.
