Labor Day weekend is an event-rich time in Southwestern Illinois, Madison County and the greater St. Louis region. You can travel back in time to the Victorian era, enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture, rock on to the St. Louis blues and party with the Greek community.
Following is just a quick selection of some of the best events. Get out and take advantage of the wonderful things to see and do this time of year.
3rd Street between Piasa and State streets
Saturday, August 30, 2008, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Just steps away from the Mighty Mississippi River, Alton turns 3rd street into a live music and dance venue for the evening. The Night Owls start the music at 6:30 and local restaurants and clubs hit the street with a big variety of goodies. Kids' activities start at 4 p.m. (618) 465-6676.
79th ANNUAL BETHALTO HOMECOMING
August 29 - August 31, September 1; Friday, 5 p.m. - Midnight; Saturday & Sunday, noon - Midnight; Monday, noon - 10 p.m. Bethalto Park is the site for this annual Labor Day festival featuring carnival rides and games, crafts, tasty food items and plenty of free entertainment. 618-377-1072
Central West End neighborhood, in St. Louis, 4967 Forest Park Blvd. at Kingshighway. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. 314-361-6924. Say Opa! It's time for the best Greek food in the region. Go hungry and order Moussaka (bakes eggplant and ground beef cassarole), lamb shanks, spinach pies, honey-sweet Baklava and much more. Plus there are performances by Greek folk dancers at 1:15, 3:15 and 5:15 each day, tours of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and a Greek goods marketplace.
Laclede's Landing entertainment district, Downtown St. Louis, Find out how good feelin' bad can be at the Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival. The free festival focuses on the best local, national and regional blues artists performing on three stages.
JERSEY COUNTY VICTORIAN FESTIVAL
August 30, 31 & September 1; Hazel Dell Historic Farm, 25007 Highway 67, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. $7 admission, $2 for kids under 12. This annual iving history event presents a large Civil War reenactment. Bluegrass bands, tours of the Fulkerson Mansion, arts and crafts, antiques and great food are part of the day. See steam engines, tractors and other historic farm equipment plowing, threshing and sawing. Don't get in the middle of the Duel of Honor or stagecoach robbery which take place daily. For more information (618) 498-5590.
August 30-31, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; September 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Grounds open at 9 a.m., go early to beat the rush.) Missouri Botanical Garden. From massive Sumo wrestlers to delicate flower arrangements and stirring Taiko drummers, this festival celebrates all things Japanese. Set in the delightful Missouri Botanical Garden -- home of the largest authentic Japanese Garden in North America -- the festival is an annual family favorite in the St. Louis region. For more information, 314-577-9400.
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