Labor Day
weekend means many a-thing. Foremost, it is a day to honor and say thanks to workers
all across the country—thank you!
Many take advantage of the day and peruse fairs with the kiddos. Others just
enjoy the day off (ultimate family BBQ, anyone?) But sadly, Labor Day weekend
is also the unofficial mark to the end of sweet, sweet summertime.
To help
you bid adieu to fun in the sun (and also usher in those colder nights), we’ve
complied a list of the city’s happenings (plus a few extra bits) during this upcoming
three-day weekend. Cheers! —
A
Fair and A Fest
As with
most holidays, the best way to celebrate is with big gatherings! Is quirky your
thang? The three-day Unicycle Festival will be rolling into full-on
one-wheeled fun on Governor’s Island this Saturday—so take the fam to see
demos, races and unicycle bball and hockey games (yes, you read that
right!). While a ferry ride away, The Richmond County Fair is three
days of fun (Saturday-Monday). This annual celebration in the
historic town of Richmond on Staten
Island boasts potato sack races, pie-eating contests and much
more.
Rejoice
In Nature
Since it is still summer, a day in the sun might
just what you need to part ways with this glorious weather. This Labor Day
weekend offers free
entrance to Governors Island. Enjoy it
before it closes on September 25—decked
out with an 18-hole mini golf course (plus, more putt-putt), bike rentals and
kayaking lessons. And let’s not forget that soon the surf will disappear! So celebrate with: sand, scoops, and water worlds.
Its Showtime
For lovers
of magic, head over to Lincoln Center on
Saturday for a free magic show. Later that day, Roosevelt
Island will host a free screening of The Incredibles, just
bring a blanket or chair for ultimate snuggling. If you prefer to stay at home
and relax, then make it a movie night with one (or more!) of the flicks on our Top
Movies For Tots.
End
Of Summer Hits
We’re sad
too; Labor Day weekend makes us think of plans that didn’t come to fruition.
Luckily, some events are here for one last hurrah! The following interactive
exhibits are hitting the road soon: The New York Hall of Science’s Circus!
Science Under the Big Top and Harry Potter: The Exhibition. And if
you’ve already seen them…some things in life deserve a second look!
Craft Time
On
Saturday, go back in time to 19th-Century Brooklyn and
delight in activities such as decorating whirlygigs (the fun repeats on Sunday,
September 4). The following day crafty tots need only look up; Wave
Hill invites little ones to sketch their favorite clouds, trees and
landscapes (a la Cezanne). On Labor Day, little ones can soak up the history of
the holiday at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. There
they will also work together to construct a worker-themed collage—tres appropriate!
P.S. A
family’s got to eat! Check out our round-up of summer eats to keep you nomming
and noshing all weekend long.
