No better place to spend your weekend
Labor Day is recognized as the first Monday in September and embodies both the social and economic successes of American Workers. In fact, Colorado along with Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York implemented the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment in 1887 behind Oregon who secured state legislation earlier that same year. Per the U.S. Department of Labor, records indicate that the founder of Labor Day was Peter J. McGuire (General Secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor). Peter reportedly first proposed a day to honor individuals “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated shortly after that in New York City on September 5th, 1882.
Traditionally, Americans say goodbye to the summer season with an abundance of classic summertime foods and parties. Classically grilled foods accompanied by traditional picnic favorites are sure to be a hit! Potato salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, macaroni salad, and fresh vegetable salads. It’s challenging to find a weekend event without these wholesome offerings. Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, grilled chicken breast, kebabs, steaks, corn-on-the-cob, lemonade, kettle corn, craft beer, and barbecue are all excellent choices for weekend festivities. Labor Day desserts traditionally honor summer fruits. Consider using the last of the Colorado favorite, the Palisade peach in a cobbler or pie, blackberry crisp, plum tarts, or strawberry shortcake.
While Labor Day weekend might signify the final weekend of summer for some, it surely doesn’t mean that fun and festivities are over in Colorado Springs! For locals, newcomers, and visitors to the region, review event websites for detailed information on parking and event specific rules. Event information can change from year to year. A partial list of Labor Day weekend activities found right here in the Pikes Peak area include,
1. COLORADO SPRINGS LABOR DAY LIFT OFF
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the 2018 Labor Day Lift Off. Start your morning off with the mass balloon ascension, then stick around to see the Wings of Blue parachutists, a wakeboarding exhibition and of course check out the fabulous food vendors and concessionaires. Come back in the evening and enjoy live entertainment before the Balloon Glow.
http://coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com/
2. VICTOR CELEBRATES THE ARTS
The 18th Annual En Plein Air Artists Competition will be held Labor Day Weekend in Victor, Colorado. Artists from around the country gather to paint on location in this historic town. Judging is done by an established and respected professional Colorado artist. More than 20 awards will be presented with total cash prizes of nearly $4,000.
http://www.victorcelebratesthearts.org/
3. 7TH ANNUAL FIRST SATURDAYS CAR SHOW
The First Saturdays Car Show is in the style of a “Cars N Coffee” event where fellow car lovers gather to see cars from all makes, models, and ages. From Fords to Porsche, to Chevrolet we welcome everyone. The September show is hosted by the Alpine Mountain Region of Porsche Car Club.
http://www.firstandmaintowncenter.com/8th-annual-first-saturdays-car-show/
4. AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL RACES
The annual Pikes Peak Road Runners American Discovery Trail races bring thousands of runners and fans to the Pikes Peak Region. This year, sign up for the marathon, half marathon, or 10K, plus bring the kids for the 1K Kids Fun Run!
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/ColoradoSprings/AmericanDiscoveryTrailMarathon
5. AIR FORCE FALCONS FOOTBALL
Cheer on the Air Force Academy Falcons Football team as they begin their 2017 season against Virginia Military Institute. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 719-472-1895 or check online.
https://goairforcefalcons.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
6. SKY SOX BASEBALL
Spend your Labor Day weekend with America’s favorite pastime. Join the Colorado Springs Sky Sox for their very last set of home games. Enjoy fireworks, raffles, character appearances and good-old-fashioned nine innings of fun.
http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t551
7. PADDLE YOGA AND HOT AIR BALLOONS
Practice Paddle Yoga during the annual Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off event! Choose from 3 sessions from Dragonfly Paddle Yoga at Memorial Park Saturday and Sunday during the Labor Day Lift Off.
https://www.dragonflypaddleyoga.com/hot-air-balloon-festival.html
8. HEART ART THIS LABOR DAY
Indulge your inner art enthusiast at Commonwheel Artists Co-op’s 44th annual Labor Day Art Show.
https://www.commonwheel.com/events.html
9. LABOR DAY ON THE LAKE
This 2 hour SUP excursion with Dragonfly Paddle Yoga will be experienced among the beautiful backdrop of Spruce Mountain, and the Rocky Mountain Front Range Class will be a blend of gentle flows and restorative postures followed by lunch on the lake.
https://www.dragonflypaddleyoga.com/paddle-yoga-lunch.html
Please visit the VisitCOS website for additional details on the aforementioned local area events and activities at,
https://www.visitcos.com/events-calendar/holidays/labor-day/
