Families can celebrate Labor Day in Alabama with unique experiences, destinations and events southern-hospitality style. Food, animals, sports, entertainment and water are among the themed events for 2009.
Butterbeans, sweet potatoes, moon pies and barbeque are some of the foods families can sink their teeth into over the weekend. Fresh vegetables abound at the Butterbean Festival in Pinson and the Sweet Tater Festival in Cullman. A moon pie eatin’ contest is the highlight of the Labor Day Celebration at Tannehill Ironworks in McCalla.
Families can also celebrate animal-themed events such as the Labor Day Celebration and Decoration Day at Coon Dog Cemetery where hunting dogs are honored, graves are decorated and tall tales are swapped in the “Liars Contest.” Travel to North Alabama to see a parade of mules, horses and carriages at the Ider Mule Days celebration.
Reel in a possible prize-winning fish in Mobile at the 43rd Annual Big Game Fishing Club Invitational or take in a pigskin classic at Legion Field as Miles College battles Tuskegee University in the third annual Labor Day Golden Classic football game.
The Alabama Tourism Department recommends Labor Day weekend events with family fun in mind.
CELEBRATING WITH FOOD:
September 5, Pinson
Alabama Butterbean Festival
The annual Butterbean Festival kicks off with a 5K and one mile fun-run, followed by an entire day’s worth of exciting events on Historic Pinson Main Street. Enjoy more than 200 arts, crafts, and food booths, the Tail Waggin’ Dog Pageant, a car and motorcycle show, golf tournament, butterbean and cooking contests, a circus, the Mr. and Miss Butterbean Pageant, and more than three stages of live entertainment. Free admission. For more information: 877.691.6088,
www.butterbeanfestival.com.
September 6, McCalla
Labor Day Celebration & Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest
Celebrate at the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park in McCalla during the annual Labor Day celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest. Homemade crafts, music, barbeque, fun await visitors. See the remains of the cold-blast furnaces and tour more than 45 buildings from the 1800s while at the park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is charged. For more information: 205.288.3414,
http://www.tannehill.org/.
September 6-7, Cullman
Sweet Tater Festival
Visit Dowling Memorial Park in Crane Hill for the annual Sweet Tater Festival. The event features great arts and crafts, door prizes, a flea market, kiddie rides and games, live entertainment, and plenty of “sweet taters.” Festivities begin Sunday 1-4 p.m., and continue Monday from 8:30 a.m. -3 p.m. Admission - $2 dollar donation. For more information: 256.747.8635,
http://www.sweettaterfestival.com/
September 7, Grady
South Montgomery County Academy’s Annual BBQ & Antique Auction
Celebrate Labor Day in Grady with food and fun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. BBQ pork plates, camp stew, and homemade desserts will be served. Check out the silent auction and antique auction to find exciting treasures. Free admission. For more information: 334.562.3235.
FOR ANIMAL LOVERS:
September 7, Tuscumbia
Labor Day Celebration and Decoration Day at Coon Dog Cemetery
In 1937, Key Underwood buried his beloved Coon Dog, Troop, on a hilltop in West Colbert County. Unbeknownst to them, a tradition was born. Today, more than 200 bona fide Coon Dogs are buried at the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery, the only one of its kind in the world. Each year on Labor Day, “faithful friends” are remembered, their graves decorated, and tall tales are swapped in the “Liars Contest.” Visitors can enjoy bluegrass music and locally prepared hickory-smoked barbecue. The event is Monday, Sept.7, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. For more information: 800.344.0783, 256.383.0783,
http://www.coondogcemetery.com/,
September 7, Ider
Ider Mule Days
Take the trip to North Alabama this Labor Day weekend to experience Sand Mountain’s rich agricultural heritage. Families have enjoyed this event for more than 100 years. Enjoy the parade of mules, horses, carriages. See a display of antique cars and tractors, check out the arts and crafts, children’s activities, and food. Idler Mule Days takes place at Idler Town Park from 9:30 a.m. until. Free admission. For more information: 256.657.4184.
FOR SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS:
September 5-6, Mobile
43rd Annual Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Alabama Invitational
Fishers can reel in Labor Day weekend festivities at the 43
rd Annual Big Game Fishing tournament in Mobile. A one-million dollar prize will be awarded for breaking the record for the largest Blue Marlin caught in Alabama (current record 779 pounds). Entries are $175.00 per angler or $150.00 per angler if registered by August 26. For more information:
http://www.mbgfc.org/.
September 6, Birmingham
Labor Day Golden Classic
Miles College takes on Tuskegee University in the third annual football Labor Day Golden Classic. The game is played at Legion Field in Birmingham at 6:00 p.m. Admission charged. For more information: 205.929.3298 or
http://www.milesgoldenbears.com/.
EVENTS THAT MAKE A SPLASH:
September 5-7, Florence
Labor Day Events at the Marriot Shoals Hotel & Spa
Take a weekend vacation or a day getaway to the Marriot Shoals Hotel & Spa for exciting Labor Day events. All weekend listen to a DJ play the best summer hits as you relax poolside. Featured food and drink specials will help guests celebrate the weekend right. Friday and Saturday nights enjoy “dive-in” movies at the pool. Enjoy fireworks Sunday evening at sundown. For more information:
http://www.marriottshoals.com/.
September 6, Alexander City
Russell Lands Labor Day Festival
Water lovers and concert goers enjoy annual Labor Day festivities at Lake Martin. Sit back and listen to live entertainment at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre while gazing at the stars at this free event. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and get ready for an evening of fun. For more information:
http://www.russelllands.com/, 256.329.0835.
ENTERTAINMENT-THEMED FESTVALS:
September 7, Section
34th Annual Section Labor Day Festival
The 34th Annual Labor Day Festival in Section takes place at the Community Park 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Bring the family for all-day entertainment featuring gospel, bluegrass, country, and good ol’ Rock & Roll. Children will enjoy games and rides. Food includes homemade ice cream and Bar-B-Que. Volleyball, horseshoes, dominoes, and a “Back Seat Drivers Contest” is also on the schedule. Free admission. For more information: 256.228.3414, 256.574.1330.
September 7, Tuscumbia
Shoals Area Labor Council Hosts the 88th Annual Labor Day Celebration
In its 88th year, the nation’s oldest Labor Day celebration, will be held at Tuscumbia’s Spring Park. A parade through downtown Tuscumbia will open the day’s festivities at 9:00 a.m. Musical entertainment and a “Miss” and “Little Miss Labor Day” pageant are scheduled. For more information: 256.383.2758, 888.344.0783.