🇺🇸 Make the most of your Labor Day weekend | Things to do

Ahhhh, yes! Another long weekend — the best kind of weekend, in my humble opinion — is in the cards.

Labor Day Weekend is the perfect time to enjoy one last summertime excursion before the leaves turn and autumn sets in.

Read below and find out the best Labor Day traditions and other cultural events happening this weekend, and how you can participate:

— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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One of Philly’s largest and oldest Labor Day parades is rolling through Columbus Boulevard on Monday.

The 39th Tri-State Labor Day Parade honors the thousands of working-class people who keep our country running. Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, which represents more than 100 unions and nearly 150,000 workers, has organized a full day of family-friendly activities.

The pre-parade kickoff rally begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by the parade down Columbus Boulevard at 10 a.m.

The commemorative march will end at Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Local 19. Paraders will come together for a family celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the parade, click here.

🧵 Afrofuturism in full glam: Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia for one last chance to see Ruth E. Carter’s “Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” The exhibition features personal sketches and cinematic costumes from Black Panther and Sinners on display through Sunday.

⛸️ Go before it’s gone: The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest closes shop for the season on Monday. Bring your family to Penn’s Landing for roller skating, mini golf, boardwalk treats, and other late summer fun.

🥨 Long-running Labor Day tradition: Stop by the 154th annual Cannstatter Volksfest to celebrate German heritage with live music, amusement rides, games, and food and drink.

🇧🇷 Beauty and vibrancy of Brazil: Stop by Spruce Street Harbor to celebrate Brazilian Day on Sunday. The free outdoor festival will be filled with music, dancing, food, and more to honor the country’s independence.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Polish American Festival & County Fair, Sheer Mag with Gripper and Real Shocks, Workshop of the World Exhibition. Here’s our full list for the week.

The annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival is back, baby.

Founded by bluegrass legends Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley in 1972, it’s a Labor Day tradition that has endured over the decades, says our pop music critic Dan Deluca.

The three-day festival kicks off Friday in South Jersey’s Salem County with country-bluegrass singer Kathy Mattea as headliner. Friday’s lineup also includes the Price Sisters, Virginia guitarist Junior Sisk, and the Travelin’ McCourys.

On Saturday, Dan Tyminski gets top billing. New Orleans ragtime street band Tuba Skinny also plays Saturday, along with Critten Hollow, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, and the Gibson Brothers.

The festival wraps up on Sunday with Black Eyed Suzies, Tennessee quintet Blue Highway, Chicago duo Special Consensus, Boone, N.C., roots band Burnett Sisters, and Nashville quintet Appalachian Road Show.

For the full lineup and other festival information, click here.

🐎 Saddle up: Ludwig’s Corner will host the 83rd Horse Show & County Fair this weekend. Along with top-level equestrian competition, food trucks, games, carnival rides, and vendors will fill the 33-acre community space.

🎨 Summertime market at Dilworth: Friday is the start of a sun-soaked celebration of local makers. The Made in Philadelphia Market is coming to Dilworth Park on Friday, with more than 60 makers, artists, and artisans from across the region.

🎾 Pickleball pickup games: CityPickle has turned Dilworth Plaza into a space for pickleball enthusiasts. Two branded courts are now placed near City Hall. Download the CityPickle app to reserve a time or private court to put your skills to the test.

🎭 Fun at the faire!: The Bucks County Renaissance Faire is taking place at the historic TileWorks in Doylestown from Saturday to Monday. Visitors will experience high-level juggling, live music, theater, and even a hint of magic.

Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.

🎤 Thursday: After performing at Xfinity Mobile Arena in May, Houston rapper Don Toliver is back in support of his latest album, Octane.

🪕 Friday: Grammy-winning country star Kacey Musgraves is hitting the stage at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Fans can expect this show to turn into a Dolly Parton celebration.

💃🏼 Saturday: Kehlani, off the heels of her biggest career hit, “Folded,” is returning to the region for a headlining show at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

🎸 Monday: Bassist Peter Hook, cofounder of England’s Joy Division, New Order, and Durutti Column, will perform New Order’s 2001 album, Get Ready, at Union Transfer on Monday.

Check out Dan’s full concert list here.

Question: What year was Labor Day first recognized as a federal holiday?

A) 1900

B) 1893

C) 1894

D) 1905

Here’s the answer to last week’s question: Which athlete won the first Philadelphia Cycling Classic in 1985? Answer: Eric Heiden

Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.

I have you covered. Have a question? Email me for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming newsletter.

That’s all folks! Don’t let these end-of-summer events (and extended weekend) go to waste. There are plenty of Labor Day traditions and other cultural events worth exploring.

— Earl Hopkins

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