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Jerry Lewis was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia, the highest award bestowed on a civilian by that country.
Jerry Lewis, 88, received a gold medal, a lapel pin and a high volume of praise from the Australian officials who made the trip to honor the comedian for his work in fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation (MDF).
Jerry Lewis was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia (photo Getty Images)
He has toured Australia and raised several millions of dollars for MDF. The Aussie charity is not formally linked to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), with whom Jerry Lewis raised more than $2 billion in a 45-year philanthropic partnership.
The Jerry Lewis-MDA relationship fractured after the 2010 MDA Labor Day Telethon at South Point, when, over a course of months, it became evident that Lewis was being cut loose from the annual telethon and organization. What’s left of what was long a 21 1/2-hour entertainment odyssey is this year’s MDA Show of Strength variety show, which aired for two hours on August 31, on ABC.
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The 27th annual Burning Man festival in northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert comes to a close today after a week of fiery excess.
A record-breaking crowd of 61,000 revelers watched the namesake 40-foot effigy burn to the ground on Saturday in northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Sunday saw more giant bonfires and even one fiery tornado.
The temporary town known as Black Rock City, which convenes once a year, will now disperse and leave only the burning embers of their desert party behind.
The largest outdoor arts festival in North America is best described as an “experimental community”. It incorporates plenty of partying plus lighting massive fire displays, donning eye-catching costumes and performing passionate dances at sunrise.
The 27th annual Burning Man festival in northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert comes to a close after a week of fiery excess
The Burning Man concludes each year on Labor Day after an explosive final night in which the effigy burns and partygoers fit in as much debauchery as possible.
This year’s event was the largest ever, even with tickets costing up to $650. Attendance peaked last year at 56,000.
The crowd limit was raised this year after organizers agreed to security, public safety, resource management and cleanup rules.
The festival has become a haven for hippies, artists, musicians and dancers and provides a week for people to explore artistic expression. No money is exchanged at the event; instead the festival-goers swap gifts to attain goods.
Many festival-goers have been impressed by the size and look of this year’s Man Base, a structure that houses the iconic ‘Man’ figure which was burned on Saturday night.
Inside a flying saucer under the Man is a multi-level structure with zoetropes, a giant chandelier and views of Black Rock City. Slides serve as exits.
The Black Rock Desert is 120 miles north of Reno and the Burning Man is the largest permitted event on federal land in the United States.
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Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 6 pounds medium red potatoes
- Water
DRESSING:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup Miracle Whip
Potato Salad
SALAD:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
- Paprika
Directions:
- Place potatoes in a stockpot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and slice potatoes; cool completely.
- For dressing, in the top of a double boiler or metal bowl over barely simmering water, heat water, butter and vinegar until butter is melted. In a small bowl, beat eggs; add sugar and cornstarch. Add to butter mixture; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely.
- In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Stir Miracle Whip into cooled dressing mixture; fold in whipped cream. Stir in onion, green onions, salt and pepper. Add potatoes; toss lightly to combine. Refrigerate, covered, until chilled.
- To serve, top with hard-cooked eggs; sprinkle with paprika. Yield: 24 servings (3/4 cup each).
Labor Day, which falls on Monday, September 2, is the best time to score bargains with the countless sales offered by retailers.
Labor Day weekend is an even better time to score sales than the most infamous discount holiday, Black Friday, in November.
“Labor Day is full of bargains, Black Friday is full of cheap things,” Ellwood said. “It’s not the same thing.”
It is recommended to start early when shopping the Labor Day weekend sales, but also get out there Monday, when stores will offer even more discounts.
Retailers have slashed their prices for a wide variety of items this year, ranging from electronics to apparel to home goods to outdoor items. During the three-day weekend, many stores will offer the same discounts both in stores and online.
However, if you choose to shop the Labor Day weekend sales online, remember to look for additional savings coupons or special offer codes; many large retailers offer additional savings like free shipping to entice shoppers off their couches.
Department Stores
Kmart: 40% off fall clothing for all, all TVs on sale, 50-60% off mattresses plus free box springs, 10% off furniture, 10% off bed & bad, 10% off items for the home, 10% off patio furniture, 5% off grills, 5% off outdoor play
Kohl’s: $10 Kohl’s cash for every $50 spent through September 2; 3-day sale on small appliances, 40-50% off dinnerware, 40-60% off bath towels and rugs, 20-40% off furniture
JCPenney: 4-day sale with 25-50% off items until Monday, including home, apparel, shoes and accessories, jewelry and more. Plus, online only, get an extra 20% off if you use your JCPenney credit card or 10% off using any other method of payment with code 30BUY until September 2. Free shipping on orders over $75.
Macy’s: 20% off and free shipping on orders of $99 or more using promo code DEALS; 15% off home and select home items; Additional 25% off clearance items; sales on clothing, home, shoes, accessories, kitchen, jewelry, kids and furniture
Sears: Free shipping on orders of $59 or more until September 7; 50-60% off mattresses plus free box spring and free delivery; 30% off Kenmore appliances; 15% off other major appliances; 30% off tool storage; 20% off lawn and garden; 50% off other items; 15% off purchases of $75 or more in apparel
Target: 20% off select furniture purchases of $150 or more; sale on backpacks and school uniforms; 30% off Emerson fridges and microwaves; 50% off patio furniture; 20% off kids’ Halloween costumes
Walmart: Labor Day sales and specials on electronics, home, outdoor and apparel
Labor Day is the best time to score bargains with the countless sales offered by retailers
Clothing
American Eagle: 40% off everything using code 74693461
Ann Taylor: Buy one full-priced item, get a second 50% off
ASOS: 20% off non-sale items until Monday
Club Monaco: 50% off sale styles using code FINAL50
Express: 40% off everything until Monday in stores and online
Forever21: 50% extra off select sale items using code LABORDAY
H&M: 10% off entire purchase
J.Crew: 25% off denim styles
LOFT: 50% off non-sale items using code SHOP50
Mango: 20% off accessories using code 6USATOUCH
Neiman Marcus: 50% off shoes, apparel and more
Nine West: Up to 60% off select styles
Victoria’s Secret: $15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, $150 off $500 using code FALL13
Electronics
Apple: Buy a Mac for college by Sept. 6 and get a $100 App Store Gift Card or buy an iPad or iPhone and get a $50 card
Best Buy: Friday through Monday, 30% off major appliances and free delivery on purchases of $429 or more; $200 off MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Insignia 65” LES HDTV for $999.99 with free delivery; LG 55” LED HDTV for $749.99 with free delivery; and more discounts on laptops, cameras, televisions, cell phones, GPS devices and home theaters
New Egg: 330+ deals for Labor Day, including an LG 42” LED HDTV for $399.00 and more
Home
Home Depot: $40 gift card with purchase of select 5-gallon paint buckets; $10 gift card on purchases of select 1-gallon paint cans; 10% off appliances of $397 or more with free delivery and haul away; free shipping on grills of $399 or more
Lowe’s: 10% off major appliances of $399 or more until Sept. 3; 20% off Char-Broil Commercial Series Gas Grills; $5 mail-in rebate on purchases of gallon-size Paint and Primer in One or Stain and Sealant in One
Overstock: 10% off furniture, area rugs, mattresses, memory foam, kitchen, dining, bedding, window treatments, lighting
Pottery Barn: 60% off items until Monday; 20% off throws and free shipping
Restaurants, stores, and companies will be celebrating Labor Day 2013 by offering freebies, or something at a heavily discounted price.
- A.C. Moore: On Saturday, August 31 from 1 PM to 3 PM, all 140 A.C. Moore stores along the East Coast will hold a free “Make and Take” class on how you can make a rubber band bracelet.
- Bass Pro Shops: On Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, from 12 noon until 5 PM, Bass Pro Shops locations nationwide are offering free activities for kids and classes for grownups, including instruction on the best ways to smoke meat. Sounds about right for a Labor Day barbecue.
Restaurants, stores, and companies will be celebrating Labor Day 2013 by offering freebies, or something at a heavily discounted price
- BJ’s Wholesale Club: BJ’s has a free 60-day trial membership offer that begins on Friday, August 30. The risk-free trial includes full member benefits and no surcharge.
- Blue Star Museums: Active duty military personnel and their families get free museum admission at participating cultural institutions through Monday, September 2, as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
- Boston Market: On Monday, September 2, take 50% off Boston Market family meals. You’ll need to use this coupon to get the savings.
- Firehouse Subs: Get a free medium sub sandwich at participating locations on Monday, September 2, when you purchase any sub combo. To redeem the offer, visit the Firehouse Subs’ Facebook page to print out a coupon or to show it via smartphone. Note: the coupon goes live over Labor Day Weekend.
- IKEA: If you are in the store on Saturday, August 31, Sunday, September 1, or Monday, September 2, you may want to stop in for a meal as well. Shoppers who spend $150 or more in store those three days can deduct the cost of their meal when they check out. Visit the IKEA website to find out if your local IKEA store is participating.
- Yankee Candle: From Thursday, August 29 to Monday, September 2, Yankee Candle has a dollar deal in its 550-plus nationwide retail locations and at yankeecandle.com. All Tarts wax melts, Samplers votive candles, and Car Jar air fresheners are only $1.00 – normally they’re $1.99 and $2.99.
Burning Man Festival, the annual art, music and everything-else event, currently taking place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, is the most popular ever than more people already on-site than attended the entire event last year.
The largest outdoor arts festival in North America is in its 27th year, with as many as 68,000 people expected to part-take in partying, debauchery and excess before it all ends for another year on Labor Day.
Described as an “experimental community”, Burning Man Festival incorporates plenty of partying plus lighting massive fire displays, donning eye-catching costumes and performing passionate dances at sunrise. Organizers stress it’s mostly up to participants to decide what Burning Man is.
Earlier this year the federal government issued a permit for 68,000 people from all over the world to gather at the sold out festival and spend up to a week in the remote desert cut off from much of the outside world.
This year’s Burning Man Festival is already the largest ever, organizers said more than 55,000 people had already arrived at Black Rock City at noon on Tuesday. That is almost as many as were present at last year’s event during its peak.
Traditionally only the hard-core burners arrived when the gates opened Monday and a crush of people often referred to as “Weekend Warriors” would show up sometime between Thursday and Saturday, reports NBC Bay Area.
By morning on Wednesday, there were 15 streets circling the temporary city created by attendees and the forecast remains free of dust storms.
The art theme of this year’s Burning Man Festival is “Cult Cargo” and focuses on a strange being called John Frum
Many have been impressed by the size and look of this year’s Man Base, a structure that houses the iconic “Man” figure burned each year near the event’s close.
Inside a flying saucer under the Man is a multi-level structure with zoetropes, a giant chandelier and views of Black Rock City. Slides serve as exits.
The art theme this year is “Cult Cargo” and focuses on a strange being called John Frum.
“He is known to us by many names, this Visitor from Elsewhere, dispenser of endless abundance and wielder of mysterious technologies: John Frum, Quetzalcoatl, Osiris, <<Bob>>,” reads the website.
“His cargo is splendid, his generosity boundless, his motives beyond our understanding. But across the ages and around the world, the stories all agree: one day he will return, bearing great gifts.
“Our theme this year asks three related questions; who is John Frum, where is he really from, and where, on spaceship Earth, are we all going?”
The biggest tradition comes at the end of the week – on September 2 – when participants will set fire to a giant wooden “man” that gives the event its name. Tickets for the event costs up to $650.
It has become a haven for hippies, artists, musicians and dancers and provides a week for people to explore artistic expression. No money is exchanged at the event; instead the festival-goers swap gifts to attain goods.
The Black Rock Desert is 120 miles north of Reno and the gathering is the largest permitted event on federal land in the US.
After it moved from San Francisco’s Baker Beach, the inaugural Burning Man in Nevada drew some 80 people in 1990. The first 1,000-plus crowd was in 1993, and attendance doubled each of the next three years before reaching 23,000 in 1999.
The crowd was capped at 50,000 under a five-year permit that expired in 2010. The new multi-year permit allows a maximum crowd of 70,000, but organizers applied for a cap of 68,000 this year.
As always, festival goers are expected to obey the ten principles: Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, Radical Self-reliance, Radical Self-expression, Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Leaving No Trace, Participation and Immediacy are of the utmost importance to the community.
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According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday alone, part of the 7 billion hot dogs eaten over the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday alone
How did the modern day hot dog become such an iconic part of America? It’s a tough question to answer and even the NHDSC offers little clarity:
“It is likely that the North American hot dog comes from a widespread common European sausage brought here by butchers of several nationalities. Also in doubt is who first served the dachshund sausage with a roll. One report says a German immigrant sold them, along with milk rolls and sauerkraut, from a push cart in New York City’s Bowery during the 1860′s. In 1871, Charles Feltman, a German butcher opened up the first Coney Island hot dog stand selling 3,684 dachshund sausages in a milk roll during his first year in business.”
Last year the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced that Jerry Lewis was stepping down as host of its annual Labor Day telethon, the marathon TV event he had made his personal showcase, soap box and sentimental journey for 45 years.
With the show cut from 21.5 hours to just 6, Jerry Lewis was being replaced by a quartet of hosts, the MDA said, and would make an appearance only at the end of the show, to say goodbye and sing You’ll Never Walk Alone one last time.
Then what seemed the sad but inevitable end of an era became something uglier. A few weeks before the show, the MDA issued a curt announcement that Jerry Lewis would not be making a goodbye appearance after all — and was resigning from his post as MDA national chairman. The telethon went on without him (raising $61.5 million in 2011, more than the previous year with Jerry Lewis, according to the MDA) and included a filmed tribute to him and warm words of thanks from various participants during the show.
A year later, Jerry Lewis has been all but erased from the telethon’s memory. This year’s show, aired the Sunday night before Labor Day, has been further downsized, to just three hours, with no named host and a smattering of B-list guest stars (Carrie Underwood, Will.i.am, Khloe Kardashian). It is no longer called a telethon, but simply an “entertainment special,” and there will be no tote board tallying the donations. In the press announcement of the event, Jerry Lewis’s name is nowhere mentioned.
The story behind Jerry Lewis’s departure remains untold. But a few things have become clear in the year since the awkward public breakup. Jerry Lewis was dumped by the MDA, the charity he had been identified with since the 1950s. He’s still bitter about it. And the telethon is withering without him.
Jerry Lewis still won’t talk about what happened.
“That’s not a place I want to go. Because if I go there, you’ll never get me back,” Jerry Lewis said when he was asked recently in Nashville, where he’s directing a new stage musical, The Nutty Professor.
“It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it. But I have already ingested all that I want from that whole f***ing adventure.”
The pain is not hard to discern. “This was a hurt man,” says Richard Belzer, the stand-up comic and Law and Order co-star, who has developed a close, almost father-son relationship with Jerry Lewis.
Jerry Lewis’ goodbye appearance was scrapped after he and the charity could not agree on its format and length. He wanted to do it live; the MDA floated several pre-taped options — “all insulting,” Richard Belzer claims.
“It’s as if they were trying to provoke him to leave.”
In the end, he did.
“It was a moral outrage, a PR nightmare and a sad commentary on this incredible philanthropic career,” says Richard Belzer.
To be sure, dealing with Jerry Lewis, now 86, has never been a walk in the park. His annual Labor Day orgy of sentiment, self-regard and showbiz schmaltz was for many years something of a punch line.
“You know why they love Jerry Lewis in France,” a comedian said not long ago.
“In France, they don’t get the telethon.”
Still, he raised an estimated $2 billion for “Jerry’s kids” over more than a half-century with the MDA, and a well-orchestrated, celebrity-studded farewell to him on the telethon might have been a fundraising bonanza.
MDA officials continue to maintain that Jerry Lewis simply retired.
“We honor Jerry Lewis, we admire the work he’s done for us, and we respect his decision to retire,” says Valerie Cwik, the MDA’s interim president.
Valerie Cwik replaced Gerald Weinberg, who was reportedly behind Jerry Lewis’ ouster and who stepped down as president last December, after 54 years with the organization.
And she insists that the changes in the telethon are part of a necessary evolution in fundraising strategy, to put less emphasis on the once-a-year event.
“It has to change because the American audience has changed,” says Valerie Cwik.
“A 21.5-hour show doesn’t fit in a 140-character world.”
Neither, apparently, does Jerry Lewis.
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian covered their baby daughter Penelope in kisses as they took her to the park for a picnic yesterday.
As their son Mason played nearby the proud parents took it in turns to cuddle their two-month-old daughter.
Penelope responded with smiles as her mother lifted her in the air and kissed her.
After enjoying cuddles with her daughter, Kourtney Kardashian passed her over to daddy Scott Disick, who made cooing noises as he smiled into Penelope’s face.
He then lay her in his legs as he smiled down.
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian covered their baby daughter Penelope in kisses as they took her to the park for a picnic
But KourtneyKardashian soon had her charge back safe in her arms, as two-year-old Mason ran over with his toys.
Dressed in a white smock dress with lace sleeves and sandals, the 32-year-old mother looked happy and healthy.
Kourtney Kardashian took to her blog yesterday to explain that she planned to ignore the old adage to “not to wear white after Labor Day”.
“I remember when I went away to college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas my aunt sent me a book with the rules of being a Southern Belle.
“One of the rules was to never wear white after Labor Day. Fashion has a lot to do with confidence and making up your own rules.
“Winter white was all over the Fall 2012 runways, so I think we can expect to see a lot of people crossing the boundaries way beyond Labor Day.”
In a new interview, Kourtney Kardashian revealed she put on 45 lbs during her pregnancy – but said she is in no rush to shift the pounds.
“I gained nearly 45 pounds,” she explained.
“I’m 5 feet tall, so that’s a lot.”
Doctors recommend 25 lbs to 35 lbs as an appropriate weight gain for a woman of normal weight.
But Kourtney Kardashian is “not really” thinking about losing the weight just yet.
“While I’m here around the house, I just eat healthy,” she told Us Weekly.
Catch all the color and excitement as millions of Brooklynites & New Yorkers line up along Eastern Parkway for the Brooklyn Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 3, 2012.
This year, the West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival celebrates its 45th anniversary as it continues to enjoy the distinction of being New York City’s biggest cultural festivals by far.
As in the past, count on crowds to be waving flags from Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada and other Caribbean nations in a joyful expression of ethnic heritage & cultural pride.
This year, the West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival celebrates its 45th anniversary as it continues to enjoy the distinction of being New York City's biggest cultural festivals by far
Everyone’s invited to take part in the spectacle of thousands of marchers in colorful costumes “jumpin” down the parade route to the sounds of reggae and calypso.
A special added-attraction: the aromas of native foods like Jamaican jerk chicken, Bajan fried flying fish, and other soul-satisfying treats at the city’s biggest street festival.
The annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon that for years featured Jerry Lewis was not broadcasted this year in Joplin, Missouri.
The program was a staple of local television coverage for decades over the Labor Day weekend.
Local programming, shown on KODE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Joplin, has been broadcast from Cycle Connection in Joplin for the past 12 years.
Nancy Hutson, owner of Cycle Connection and a longtime supporter of the MDA benefit, said local organizers of the telethon were notified in May by the national association that a telethon would not be held in Joplin this year.
“They are going to hold one in Springfield, but we were told the Joplin market is just too small,” she said.
The annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon that for years featured Jerry Lewis was not broadcasted this year in Joplin, Missouri
Nancy Hutson stressed that local MDA supporters may contribute at firefighter boot blocks this weekend in Carthage, Webb City and Neosho, among other places. Carl Junction is not planning on holding a boot block. The annual MDA Ride for Life, one of the major local fundraisers for the organization, was held in July.
“This is the money that funds our clinic with Mercy Health System and helps us provide the services the local families need,” Nancy Hutson said.
“These boot blocks also were a big part of the telethon.”
Before it was held at Cycle Connection, the telethon had been held at the former John Q. Hammons Trade Center. Before that, it was held at the KODE studios.
“What’s happening now is that there are so many other things to watch on television on so many more channels over the Labor Day weekend that we are finding it incredibly difficult to get people to call in,” Nancy Hutson said.
“It’s much different now than in the 1950s when this thing started and there were only three options for watching television. The times change, but the needs don’t change.”
The amount of money that has been raised locally during the telethon is well into the millions of dollars, Nancy Hutson said. In 1987, the tote board had a goal of $135,000. Last year, that goal was $600,000.
The telethon dates to the 1950s, when the Jerry Lewis Thanksgiving Party for MDA raised funds for the association’s New York City area operations. The Labor Day weekend show has originated from Las Vegas for 28 of the 46 years it has aired.
Labor Day is one of the oldest holidays in the United States, and is a part of the “big six” federal holidays.
Here you can find some ideas on how to spend your Labor Day weekend in New York:
Concerts:
• Journey – 9/2 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs
• Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – Anderson Center for the Arts – Binghamton
• Aloe Blacc – 9/2 – Highline Ballroom – New York
• Electric Zoo Festival – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Randalls Island – New York
• Incubus – 9/3 – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh
• Elton John – 9/3 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel
• Rock The Bells – 9/3 – South Island Field at Governors Island – New York
• Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – 9/3 – Belleayre Music Festival – Highmount
• Darius Rucker – 9/3 – NYCB Theatre at Westbury – Westbury
• Elton John – 9/4 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs
• Stevie Nicks – 9/4 – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh
• Toby Keith – 9/4 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien
• Manu Chao – 9/4, 9/5 – Terminal 5 – New York
New York Labor Day Weekend 2012
Sports:
• 2011 U.S. Open – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4, 9/5 – Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – Flushing
• Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx
• Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees – 9/5 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx
Theater:
• The Book of Mormon – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Eugene O’Neill Theater – New York
• Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Foxwoods Theatre – New York
• Lion King – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Minskoff Theatre – New York
• Jersey Boys – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – August Wilson Theater – New York
• Wicked – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Gershwin Theatre – New York
• Billy Elliot – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Imperial Theatre – New York
• Anything Goes – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Stephen Sondheim Theatre – New York
• Blue Man Group – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Astor Place – New York
• Avenue Q – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4, 9/5 – New World Stages: Stage 3 – New York
Miscellaneous:
• Cirque Du Soleil Zarkana – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4 – Radio City Music Hall – New York
• Saratoga Horse Racing – 9/2, 9/3, 9/4, 9/5 – Saratoga Race Course – Saratoga Springs
• Chris Tucker – 9/3 – Palace Theatre – Albany
• Chris Tucker – 9/4 – NYCB Theatre at Westbury – Westbury
Labor Day is one of the oldest holidays in the United States, and is a part of the “big six” federal holidays.
1. Take It To the Beach – While You Still Can!
While fall doesn’t officially begin for another month, for many families, Labor Day is the last true summer weekend, with school just about or already beginning to start. Take advantage of this last gasp of warm-weather freedom by hoofing it to the nearest beach with a cooler and the kids in tow (though, of course, one or both are optional).
Labor Day is the last true summer weekend, with school just about or already beginning to start
2. Throwback Family Weekend
Similarly, a long summer weekend provides the perfect opportunity for quality, outdoorsy bonding time. For those who prefer a single afternoon with relatives, a Labor Day picnic offers both togetherness and a manageable timeframe. The more ambitious can always embark on a 3-day camping trip, either at one site or road-tripping National Lampoon-style to different grounds. (If you’re from the South, has some great tips on where to rent a Labor Day Weekend cabin.)
3. Movie Weekend
For others who equate a holiday with relaxation, and “relaxing” with “not moving,” a movie weekend may be your best bet. There’s plenty showing in theaters: if you’re in a more alternative mood, indulge in a day of culture with some French fare (Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin – the guy from The Artist – are currently starring in Little White Lies), festival hits (Beasts of the Southern Wild will get to you – or should), indie rom-coms (Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg offer the anti-date flick, Celeste and Jesse Forever), and art-house selections (see Rob Pattinson do cerebral in Cosmopolis). Or – or in addition to – there’s always Netflix.
4. Channel Your Inner Chef
We recommend this cooking website, or standby Food Network’s site, for how to celebrate in culinary style. Both offer Labor Day-themed recipes, although our favorite dining idea is to host a Labor Day Lobster Bash – featuring, naturally, the most labor-intensive dish as the main course.
5. Absolutely Nothing
The cheapest option across the board and breadth of the country is to celebrate the hours you put in every week by sleeping a good chunk of them away. Turn off your alarm, make no plans, and don’t get dressed unless someone else has invited you to a picnic, barbecue, film, or his or her front porch for a drink. Happy Labor Day!
