
Labor Day is Monday, September 5, 2016. Labor Day Weekend runs September 2-5, 3016. Listed below are events coming up on Labor Day Weekend, running from Friday [evening] through Monday. Events are taking place across the state, with the majority of our list focused around the Five County Area and the Coast.
Vance County Regional Fair (August 31-September 5, 2016)
Join the fun with rides, food, fellowship, and fun. The Vance County Regional Fair will take place at the Vance County Fairground, 1427 E Andrews Avenue, Henderson NC. More information and schedule at www.vancecountyfair.com.
Hickory American Legion Fair (August 31-September 5, 2016 @ various start times to 11pm)
Annual event with bigger and better rides this year, plus side shows and live music. Adult admission is $7, ages 7-17 are $5, and 6 and under are free. For more information, visit the fair online at www.hickoryfair.com.
Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show (September 2-5, 2016 @ 10am daily, except Friday at noon)
Vendors offer a variety of handmade and contemporary jewelry, plus stones, beads, and more. Repairs may be available. Held at the Kerr Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Admission is $5 for adults, with 16 and under free and Military free with ID. More information at www.TreasuresOfTheEarth.com.
NC Apple Festival (September 2-5, 2016)
Enjoy days of fun including freshly picked apples, arts and crafts, food, and free entertainment. Held at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street, Hendersonville NC. More information on the festival, including daily schedule, may be found at www.ncapplefestival.org.
Iredell County Agricultural Fair (September 2-10, 2016)
General Admission $1 to $5 depending on day. Age six and under free. Wristbands for unlimited rides $18-$25, depending on date. For fair hours each day, vendor information, and schedule, visit www.iredellcountyfair.org.
Friday Night Tributes: Bob Marley Tribute (September 2, 2016 @ 7-9pm)
This free music event is held at Midtown Park, Address: 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh NC. Join North Hills for the this free Friday Night Tribute. The block party style set up is an ideal place for friends, family, and co-workers to gather in celebration of the weekend to come. This date will feature Bob Marley tribute band Crucial Fiya. More information at visitnorthhills.com/event/friday-night-tributes-series-3.
Labor Day Weekend’s Laffapalooza (September 2, 2016 @ 7:45pm)
Alex Thomas Jr. is an American Actor and stand-up comedian who was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Thomas first broke into the entertainment business as a teenage dancer on the hit long running TV show Soul Train. Thomas also starred in several motion pictures such as: Don’t be a menace to South Central While drinking your juice in the Hood, BAPS, The Players Club, Two can Play that Game, The Wash, Just Married, Women Thou art Loosed, Why do Fools fall in Love and several other films. More information at www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/event/laffapalooza-7441. This is a ticketed event, with tickets ranging from $30-$65. Scheduled for the Memorial Auditorium, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South Street, Raleigh NC.
Selma to Montgomery Sneak Peek (September 2, 2016 @ 5-9pm)
See the traveling exhibit Selma to Montgomery: A March for the Right to Vote: Photographs by Spider Martin, before it officially opens, and learn some background with a 6pm screening of the film Selma. Samples from Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery (Farmville) will also be available, while they last, and the Museum Shop will be open, along with the lobby-level exhibits. This free event is being held at the North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E Edenton Street, Raleigh NC. More information at ncmuseumofhistory.org/events/film-screening-selma. Exhibit open September 3 at 9am.
Downtown Sundown Concert Series (September 2, 2016 @ 6-10pm)
Enjoy free music by Departure at the Historic Downtown River District in Riverfront Park, Wilmington NC. Downtown Sundown is a rain or shine weekly outdoor concert series now in its 9th year. Adult beverages and food available for purchase. Come early and stay late to enjoy the shops and waterfront cafes along the Riverwalk. More information may be found at www.wilmingtondowntown.com.
Alive at Five Free Outdoor Concert (September 2, 2016 @ 5-8pm)
Free outdoor concert sponsored by Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association (DMCRA). The concert is on the waterfront at the Jaycee Park, S 9th Street, Morehead City NC. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 252.808.0440.
Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast (September 2, 2016 @ 9am-6pm)
Enjoy free fireworks by the sea on the beach near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk at sunset every Thursday night during the summer months! The fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm and the gazebo entertainment begins at 6:30 pm. Be sure to arrive early to grab your spot at the gazebo or on the beach. The fireworks and gazebo entertainment are free and open to all, weather permitting. Schedule is subject to change without notice. Some dates vary based on summer holidays.Held at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina Beach NC. More information at www.pleasureislandnc.org. With questions, call 910.458.8434.
American Legion Fish Fry (September 2, 2016 @ 11am-7pm)
American Legion Post 129 is holding a Fish Fry at 1500 Bridge Barrier Road, Carolina Beach NC. For more information, call 910.458.4253. For $8 a plate, you will receive Large Whiting fillet or NC Farm raised catfish nuggets, hush puppies, cole slaw, potato salad, iced tea, or coffee. Beer and Wine available for purchase. Captain Ray’s Award Winning Seafood Chowder or Conch Chowder is also available for purchase. Eat In or Take Out. Dessert for an additional fee from the Ladies Auxiliary.
The Martian Movie at the North Carolina Museum of Art (September 2, 2016 @ 8:30pm)
Grab a blanket or chair and settle on the museum lawn before this movie showing under the stars. Held outside at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Movie tickets are $6 for non-members, free for members and children ages 6 and under. Tickets are required to get into the showing. More information on NCMA movies throughout the year at ncartmuseum.org/programs_and_events/view/films.
Stepping into the Past Series (September 3, 2016 @ 10am-3pm)
This Saturday retro event includes demonstrations and displays of traditional arts, crafts, and trades at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 North Church Street, in Kenly NC. All activities are included with regular admission to the Museum ($8 for adults, $7 for Seniors age 55 and over, $6 for children and students, and free for children under 2 years old. On September 3, the event is “Spinning, Casting and Knotting: Fabric art demonstrations.” More information on the museum website at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past.
The Princess Bride Movie at the North Carolina Museum of Art (September 3, 2016 @ 8:30pm)
Grab a blanket or chair and settle on the museum lawn before this movie showing under the stars. Held outside at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Movie tickets are $6 for non-members, free for members and children ages 6 and under. Tickets are required to get into the showing. More information on NCMA movies throughout the year at ncartmuseum.org/programs_and_events/view/films.
Raleigh Seafood Festival (September 3-4, 2016 @ 11am-10pm)
The Raleigh Seafood Festival is a 2-day family-friendly event that brings a variety of seafood vendors, live local bands, arts and crafts exhibits, outdoors. Enjoy fresh NC coastal seafood such as blue crab, snow crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, low country boil, gumbo, chicken, and more, along with a great selection of side items. Admission is $7 day of event, with children 12 and under admitted free. More information at www.RaleighSeafoodFestival.com. Held at Heritage Circle/Heritage Tobacco Pavilion, NC State Fair Grounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC.
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County (September 3-4, 2016 @ Saturday-11am-10pm; Sunday-1-10pm)
Admission is free and the public is invited to this annual celebration of African American culture includes art, music, dance, food, and community. Explore the work of visual artists in the Art Gallery Walk. Watch dance performances and listen to music on the Main Stage. There will also be interactive family activities in the Family Village. Come out and celebrate AACF’s 7th year of teaching, sharing, and celebrating the traditions of African Americans here in NC and from around the world. More information at www.aacfestival.org. Held at the City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh NC.
Old Fashioned Farmers Day (September 3-4, 2016)
This event is held every Labor Day weekend. Visit the past and see how things were done years ago. Walk through this living museum and see active displays of older equipment and ways to do things! Think of the back-breaking labor and human sweat that some of these machines replaced. Think of the advances in safety that came later. There will be a music barn, Junior Dairy Show, grist mill, a “working” blacksmith shop, log cabin homestead, and more. There will be music on an outdoor stage along with vendors. Held at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, 4221 Silk Hope Road, Siler City NC. More information at www.silkhopenc.org.
Boogie in the Park Concert Series (September 4, 2016 @ 5-7pm)
Music by The Central Park Band (Classic Rock, Pop, Dance & Beach, from the Decades). Held at Ocean Front Park, 105 Atlantic Avenue, Kure Beach NC. Bring your beach chair or blanket and enjoy free, live music by the sea.
Summer Movies at the Lake (September 4, 2016)
Come and watch The Peanuts Movie (G, 2015). Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. The Sunday before Memorial Day, Pleasure Island presents this free movie. Bring the family,blankets, and beach chairs and head to the lake in Carolina Beach, Lake Park Blvd & Atlantic Avenue, Carolina Beach NC. Movie goers can purchase cotton candy, popcorn, candy, soft drinks, and more. Bring food and beverages too. Movies start at dusk.
Reggae Sunday (September 4, 2016 @ 3-8pm)
Come for the afternoon and enjoy Live Steel Drums (3-5pm) and Manna Food Truck (3-8pm). Held at Neuse River Brewing Company, 518 Pershing Road, Raleigh NC. More information at www.neuseriverbrewing.com.
New River Blues Festival (September 4, 2016 @ 1pm; gates open noon)
Come dance in a mountain meadow by a sparkling river to world-class blues. Food, mixed & soft drinks, beer and wine available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, the kids, umbrellas (rain or shine). Tickets are $20 at the gate. Music starts at 1pm. No coolers or pets on lawn please! Music by Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Jontavious Willis, Ike and Val Woods, Donald “Bluez Emperor” Ceasar, and The King Bees. At the River House Inn, 1896 Old Field Creek Road, in Grassy Creek NC. Directions online here.
Labor Day Family Fun Event (September 5, 2016 @ 4-6pm)
Join us on Labor Day (Monday, September 5th) at Williams Park from 4-6 PM for a free family fun event. We will have bouncy houses, field games, face painting, a food truck, vendors, raffles, and giveaways. This event is completely free and open to the public. The location is Williams Park, 1525 Lynn Rd, Raleigh NC).
Labor Day Shrimp Boil and Oktoberfest Kick-Off (September 5, 2016 @ 3pm; doors open noon)
This free event is open to all ages. Shrimp Boil starts at 3pm. Held at MotorCo Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham NC. More information available here.