Labor Day this year is Monday, September 5th, and West Michigan is ready to celebrate. The extended weekend is considered the unofficial end of summer as we make our way into the fall. It is also a day dedicated to workers across the country. In honor of this national holiday, many businesses are planning big events all weekend or special offers for guests.
South
Round Barn Winery in Baroda is hosting their Fruits of Labor event on Labor Day Weekend. Stop by with your whole family from September 3rd to 5th to take a well-deserved break from work. There will be a bounce house, inflatable slide, live music and yard games. And of course there will be specialty cocktails, wine and craft brews for the adults.
Crane Orchards in Fennville is having their Centennial Celebration on September 3rd. With two bands, food and fun things for kids, this is shaping up to be a great time for the whole family. There will also be hayrides, tasting bar, hard cider, and the hard-to-beat U-Pick apples. Enjoy what Crane Orchards is dubbing the “Party of the Century.”
Head to Coldwater Country for something different this Labor Day weekend. Check out the railroad where you can climb aboard for a 45-minute, push-pull ride. Sit back and relax on this peaceful steam engine ride. Bring your own picnic snacks or purchase refreshments at the snack bar. Tickets are only $10 for this unique and fun experience.
Central
Grab your walking shoes and join the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for their 10th Annual Labor Day Community Walk on September 5th. This is the perfect alternative if you’re unable to make it out to Mackinac for the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. Join your friends and neighbors in this active event. The Community Walk recently received the Pure Michigan FITness Endorsement.
The River Country Chamber of Commerce’s Logging Festival is Labor Day Weekend from September 2nd to 4th. Check out the arts and crafts show and chainsaw carving demonstrations all weekend. The farmers market will be Friday only and is perfect for celebrating the harvest.
The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has two Labor Day Weekend events for you to check out during your time off.
- The Polish Festival is from September 2nd to 4th. This three-day festival will offer Polish food, polka music, dancing, cultural activities, a children’s tent, a Catholic mass and much more. Everyone is invited for an authentic Polish experience in the heart of Muskegon.
- The West Michigan United Labor Day Parade is September 5th from 11 am to 12:30 pm with a post-parade celebration until 4 pm. This is an all-inclusive community parade through the streets of downtown Muskegon. The free post parade celebration following the parade will have food, refreshments, cotton candy, games, prizes, face painting, bounce houses, arts and crafts and more.
September is the month of cooler weather and colors changing in the foliage. One thing that doesn’t change is the level of fun at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. Whether you’re commemorating the end of summer with a Labor Day weekend stay or planning to see the colors turn later in the month, this 1200-acre, four-season getaway offers excitement and relaxation.
South Haven/Van Buren County is getting crafty this Labor Day weekend with the South Haven All Crafts Fair on September 3rd and 4th. The 2016 South Haven All Crafts Fair will feature over 150 local, regional and national artists. There will be jewelry, sculptures, pottery, paintings, needlework and more! The fair sets up the perfect opportunity to expand art collections, shop for unique jewelry or just view the beautiful arts provided. Grab a seat and enjoy the shaded beauty of Stanley Johnson Park or take the time to walk a block further in either direction to enjoy the sandy shores of Lake Michigan or visit the historical Michigan Maritime Museum. The annual art fair creates a relaxed, inviting environment with artwork the whole family will appreciate.
Labor Day is coming quickly and in Mecosta County, that means the 48th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival is coming up. Hosted on September 5th, the Arts and Crafts Festival starts at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. There will be a lot of talented local artists presenting their wares for you to check out.
North
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville has several additional activities and specials going on during Labor Day Weekend.
- On September 3rd, kick back and relax under the stars while watching Angry Birds on the outdoor deck pool. Tubes will be available so you can float in the pool while watching the film.
- The Last Splash Pool Party will be on September 4th. Enjoy the last splash of summer at the Labor Day pool party! Party includes live DJ, contests and games including a limbo contest, giant volleyball game, hula hoop contest and giveaways!
- Celebrate the unofficial last day of summer on September 5th with a variety of 2-for-1 discounts on the following: Alpine Slide Rides (single or all day), Park at Water’s Edge (day pass), climbing wall (single pass), adventure course (single pass), bike rentals, paintball, laser tag and disc golf.
Hotel Walloon situated on Walloon Lake is the perfect Labor Day weekend getaway. Guests of the Village of Walloon can enjoy the beach, rent kayaks, pontoon boats and paddleboards, dine at many of the area restaurants and more. Plus, during Labor Day weekend, there will be a Boat in Movie showing of Field of Dreams in the Village Green Park, playing approximately 20 minutes after sunset. Movies in the open air are a great way to celebrate the end of summer.
Labor Day in Charlevoix is the perfect time to enjoy a long weekend up north. It’s a great time to explore Charlevoix’s waterways and spend the weekend cruising on Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not check out Wildwood Rush and their fast paced zip lining canopy tours? After a day on the water or zip ling, grab dinner and dessert downtown Charlevoix to top off an incredible Labor Day weekend.
If you’re in Charlevoix, why not head out to Beaver Island over Labor Day? Hitch a ride with the Beaver Island Boat Company over to the island on Friday, September 2nd and catch the morning half marathon on September 3rd. The Beaver Island half marathon will cover 13.1 miles over a various surfaces and beautifully changing scenery. They promise that it will be one of the most beautiful runs most people will ever do with wonderful variety, good shape, excellent surfaces and only a few gentle hills.
The long holiday weekend is the perfect time to squeeze in one last getaway to Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. With boating, biking, golf and more, Shanty Creek Resorts offers the perfect balance of relaxation and recreation. Take this opportunity to make one last summer splash and tons of family memories.
Labor Day weekend is your last chance to see some of the amazing exhibits at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. The following exhibits will no longer be at the museum after Labor Day so visit soon to see them!
- Looking Back to the Beginning: Paintings of Clif McChesney and Glassworks of Dale Chihuly
- Exhibited and Acquired: 25 Years of Exhibitions
- Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds
- Soo Sunny Park: Unwoven Light
- lhwa Kim: ‘Seed Universe 天下圖’
Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac is hosting the 9th Annual Hoxeyville Classic Car Show on September 4th. The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast followed by a day of checking out all of the classic cars across the lawn of Coyote Crossing. The event benefits diabetes research. Hang out with fellow car enthusiasts during this extended weekend.
The Petoskey Area is kicking off their Fall Color Tour collaboration with Stafford’s Bay View Inn over Labor Day Weekend. From September 4th to October 27th, you can enjoy Mother Nature’s picturesque show of colors with a two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, $50 in Stafford’s Dining Dollars and a narrated CD that takes you on a self guided color tour through the “Tunnel of Trees.”
If you’re looking for lodging when you are up north for the Labor Day Bridge Walk, pay a visit to the Holiday Inn Express at the Bridge in Mackinaw City. The event is always a great time and it’s a unique experience walking on the historic bridge. This is the one time a year that the Mackinac Bridge is open to foot traffic.
You can also visit St. Ignace to participate in the 59th Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Take advantage of free parking and shuttle services to return you back to St. Ignace after the walk. You’ll even have a numbered certificate in hand to show your holiday accomplishment! The Walk is the culmination of a weekend packed with family-friendly activities in St. Ignace, starting with Arts Dockside on September 3rd and 4th. This extensive show features more than 100 exhibitors in the St. Ignace Marina parking lot, and the quality and variety of items found are second to none. Evenings are a blast too, with fireworks in the skies over Moran Bay on Saturday night and outdoor Movies by the Bay on Sunday evening at the American Legion Park.
