It’s Labor Day weekend in the Kingdom and you’re in for some fun! Enjoy live music at great outdoor venues, races, tournaments and community celebrations throughout the region. Explore the list below for what’s happening during Labor Day weekend or browse our website and start planning a trip. Not sure where to start? Take our NEK Getaway Quiz for suggested itineraries.
However you choose to spend your time, make sure to share your journey with us on social #getNEKedVT.
Island Pond Labor Day Celebration, September 2 – 4
Island Pond is going big this Labor Day weekend with one last summer celebration.
Friday, September 2
Labor Day Weekend Kickoff with Evansville Transit Authority, 7pm
An NEK favorite, Evansville Transit Authority, will kick off the Labor Day fun on Friday night with a performance on Catamount Stage at Lakeside Park.
Saturday, September 3
The 90s Band headlining the Labor Day Weekend Celebration, 5pm
Say goodbye to summer and rock into fall with family and friends when The 90s Band takes Catamount Stage at Lakeside Park. Expect to hear all your favorite 90s tunes, from Third Eye Blind to Weezer and more! Music starts at 5pm.
Sunday, September 4
16th Annual Pondathon, 9am
Runners, walkers, and cyclists are invited to participate in the 16th Annual Pondathon on Sunday. Choose from two distances: “Full Pond,” (5.5 miles) or “Half Pond,” (2.5 miles) and enjoy exercise with a view! Goodie bags, finish line snacks, and a prize raffle are all enticing reasons to register! All ages welcome. Proceeds will benefit Brighton Recreation and the installation of a new public playground. Find more details and register here.
The Great Island Pond Canoe Race, 11:30am
Brighton Recreation is back with another year of the Great Island Pond Canoe Race. Head to Island Pond Town Beach on Sunday for the 11:30am race time. Teams paddle out to the island and finish back at the town beach. Free to enter and prizes for top three finishing teams. Winners names will be enshrined on a paddle and permanently displayed at the Essex House and Tavern.
Human Foosball Tournament, 12pm
Sign up to compete in Brighton Recreation’s Labor Day Weekend Human Foosball Tournament! Entry fee is $30, teams of 6 and children are welcome. This tournament will be played bracket style with cash prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams.
Monday, September 5
73rd Annual Sheffield Field Day, 10am – 4pm
Sheffield Field Day is an annual Labor Day celebration with events for all ages. Find a spot on the sidewalk to enjoy the parade, listen to the Sutton River Band perform during the day, participate in the cornhole tournament, or test your luck in the 50/50 raffle. Plenty of children’s events and food and craft vendors too! Find more details here.
Saturday, September 3
Craftsbury Farmers Market, 10am – 1pm
Over 30 vendors will be set up in Craftsbury Common for the Craftsbury Farmers Market, a weekly event taking place through October. Find everything from fresh produce, meats and flowers to locally made jams, pickles, breads, and more. Enjoy music, shopping for crafts and mingling with locals.
Saturday, September 3
Albany Community Day, 11am
Enjoy a day of good ol’ fun during Albany Community Day! This annual Labor Day celebration begins with a parade at 11am – bring a bag to catch some candy! After the parade, head to the ballfield for afternoon activities such as the cornhole and horseshoe tournaments or test your arm at the dunk tank. Children can enjoy the bouncy house and face painting. A chicken BBQ, hot dogs and burgers will be served.
Friday, September 2
moe at Jay Peak’s Stateside Amphitheater, 7:30pm
Kick off the long holiday weekend with an outdoor concert in the fresh mountain air. Head to the Stateside Amphitheater at Jay Peak on Friday night to see moe with special guest, Neighbor. Food and beverages served on-site. Head to Jay Peak’s website for more details and to purchase tickets.
Saturday, September 3 & Sunday, September 4
Jay Peak Trail Running Festival, All Day
The Jay Peak Trail Running Festival is back for its 11th year, celebrating runners of all ages and abilities with races ranging from 5ks to the ULTRA Trail Race. Saturday races include the Green Circle 5k, Blue Square 5k, and Black Diamond 5k. If one 5k just isn’t enough, you can also register to run all three 5k’s to earn your “runner with issues” prize!
On Sunday, elite runners will take the course for Jay Peak’s 53.1K ULTRA Trail Race. Voted as one of REI Masochist’s Top 10 Ultra Running Bucket List Races, the Ultra Trail Race will test your mind, body, and spirit.
Saturday, September 3
Newport Summer Stroll at Gardener Park, Starts at Dusk
The final Summer Stroll of the season will take place through Gardener Park in Newport on Saturday, September 3. Take in the views of Lake Memphremagog, enjoy live music by How Two, visit with local artists and vendors, or explore art by Bread & Puppet. The fun starts at dusk! Make sure to stop in to visit restaurants and shops on Main Street along your stroll.
Sunday, September 4
Twilight Stars Party, 5 – 10pm
Find a new meaning for dancing in the moonlight during the Twilight Stars Party at Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village. Taking place atop Prospect Hill, enjoy live music under the stars, delicious food from Runaway Tomato and the Ladies Aid Society, and cold brews from Hill Farmstead Brewery and Whirligig Brewery in the beer garden. Astronomer Bobby Farlice-Rubio will be at the party sharing insights on the night sky and VT children’s author Tanya Sousa will read her story, Tossing Stars. Children’s games and a 50/50 raffle round out this starry night in Brownington. Don’t miss out! Early bird tickets are $5, day-of tickets are $10. For more information visit http://www.oldstonehousemuseum.org/.