20 events to celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Alabama | Events

Farm-to-table foods, re-enactments of famous battles and a commemoration honoring coon dogs highlight this year’s Labor Day weekend activities across Alabama. Some 20 events celebrate Labor Day beginning Friday, Aug. 31 with the world’s largest peanut boil in Luverne to the 75th annual Coon Dog Cemetery Celebration on Monday, Sept. 3 in Tuscumbia.

Boiled peanuts, sweet potatoes, gumbo, moon pies and barbeque are a few of the culinary pleasures families can sink their teeth into over the weekend to celebrate Labor Day during the Year of Alabama Food. Fresh vegetables abound at the World’s Largest Peanut Boil and the Sweet Tater Festival in Cullman. A moon pie eatin’ contest is the highlight of the Labor Day Celebration at Tannehill Ironworks Historical Park in McCalla and Creole gumbo, shrimp and crawfish are plentiful at the 41st Annual St. William's Seafood Festival in Guntersville.

Families can also celebrate animal-themed events such as the Labor Day Celebration at the Coon Dog Cemetery where hunting dogs are honored, graves are decorated and tall tales are swapped in the “Liars Contest.”  The small town of Ider has been parading mules, horses and carriages for more than 100 years.

The Alabama Tourism Department suggests the following Labor Day weekend events with family fun in mind.

Sept. 1, Guntersville

41st Annual St. William's Seafood Festival

What better way to celebrate the Year of Alabama Food than feasting on St. William’s famous seafood that includes Creole-style gumbo, Cajun boiled shrimp and fresh crawfish. Catfish and BBQ dinners are also available from 10:30 a.m. – until sold out. The Drive-thru is open for shrimp and/or gumbo at 7:30 a.m. and is open until sold out. For more information: 256-455-4133, www.stwilliamchurch.com.

Sept. 1, Montevallo

Cars by the Creek

Prizes are awarded for the top 20 cars and top 10 trucks. The child who catches the most fish wins a prize. Registration is from 8-11 a.m. and presentations take place at 2 p.m. Fee for participants. For more information: 205-665-1519.

Sept. 1, Tuskegee

Tuskegee Labor Day Fly-In

The family-friendly event takes place at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic site. For more information: 334-727-3200, www.nps.gov/tuai.

Sept. 1-3, Decatur

Battle for Decatur

Civil War re-enactors fight it out in mock battles each day at 2 p.m. Camps are also open for viewing. Free admission. For more information: 800-524-6181, www.decaturcvb.org.

Aug. 31- Sept. 3, Luverne

World’s Largest Peanut Boil Festival

Enjoy arts, crafts, children’s activities, sweets and plenty of boiled peanuts. More than 17 tons of peanuts will be cooked. Admission charged. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information: 334-335-4468, www.crenshawcounty.net.

Sept. 2, Scottsboro

Art in the Park

More than 150 artists and craftsmen from the Southeast and Southwest show off their works of art in this juried show. Children’s activities, music and food vendors are also included in the event. Admission charged. For more information: 800-259-5508

Sept. 2, Alexander City

Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert

The concert takes place on Lake Martin and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Gates open at 5 p.m.; concert 7-10 p.m. For more information: 256-397-1019, www.RussellLandsonLakeMartin.com.

Sept. 2, Birmingham

6th Annual Labor Day Football Classic

The Golden Bears of Miles College will face off against the University of North Alabama Lions, Sunday, September 2, at 6 p.m. at Birmingham’s Historic Legion Field.  For more information: 205-929-1615.

Sept. 2, Orange Beach

Chicago — Kool & The Gang

Enjoy live music at the Amphitheatre at the Wharf in Orange Beach. Kool & the Gang along with Chicago kick off Labor Day entertainment at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26, $46, and $56. For more information: 251.224.1020

Sept. 2-3, Crane Hill

Sweet Tater Festival 

The annual Sweet tater Festival takes place in Dowling Memorial Park in Crane Hill. The event features arts and crafts, door prizes, a flea market, rides, games, live entertainment, and plenty of “sweet taters.” Sun. 1-4 p.m., Mon. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission charged. For more information: 256-531-7916, www.sweettaterfestival.com.

Sept. 3, Birmingham

Labor Day Festival

Our Lady of the Lourdes Church on Huffman Road offers a day of food, games, prizes, arts and crafts, a yard sale and plenty of fun for the family. For more information: 205.836.2274

Sept. 3, Pike Road

Alabama Blues Federation Jazz on the Grass

The 7th annual music festival takes place on Labor Day in the Rolling Hills Community just of fTroy Highway 231 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Marcus Anderson, Reggie Hines and PJ Spraggins will perform. Lawn chairs, coolers and food are encouraged, although vendors will be selling food and drinks at the event. Admission charged. For more information: http://wvasfm.org/post/7th-annual-jazz-grass.

Sept. 3, Ider

Ider Mule Days 

Families have enjoyed Ider Mule Days for more than 100 years. See the parade of mules, horses and carriages. The event features a display of antique cars and tractors, handmade arts and crafts, music, BBQ and children’s activities. 9:30 a.m. until. Free admission. For more information: 888-805-4740, www.discoverlookoutmountain.com.

Sept. 3, McCalla

Labor Day Celebration & Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest

Family fun abounds at the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park in McCalla during the annual Labor Day celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest. Homemade crafts, music, barbeque and fun await visitors. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is charged. For more information: 205-477-5711, www.tannehill.org.

Sept. 3, Montgomery

Labor Day at Old Alabama Town

Visitors to Old Alabama Town can see how life was the days before Labor Day was established in 1894 to see how early Americans lived in 19th century Alabama. Picnic baskets and blankets are encouraged.  9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission charged. For more information: 334-240-4500, www.oldalabamatown.com.

Sept. 3, Montgomery

Montgomery Biscuits vs. Huntsville Stars

The Montgomery Biscuits take on the Huntsville Stars in a Labor Day baseball game with fan appreciation night starting at 5:35 p.m. After the game watch fireworks explode over center field set to music. For more information: www.biscuitsbaseball.com

Sept. 3, Section

Annual Section Labor Day Festival

Section celebrates with all day musical entertainment featuring gospel, bluegrass, country and rock n roll. Also, a back-seat-drivers contest, volleyball, horseshoes, homemade ice cream and BBQ top the activities. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Children will enjoy games and rides. Free admission. For more information: 256-228-3414, www.jacksoncountychamber.com.

Sept. 3, Seale

Russell County Annual Labor Day Fair

Live music, food and arts and crafts highlight this Labor Day Festival at the Old Russell County Courthouse. Festivities start at 9 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. For more information: 334-298-3639.

Sept. 3, Tuscumbia

75th Annual Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration  

More than 300 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 hickory-smoked barbecue from 11-4:00 p.m. For more information: 256-383-0783, www.coondogcemetery.com, www.colbertcountytourism.org.

Sept. 3, Tuscumbia

91st Shoals Area Labor Day Celebration

Families will enjoy the nation’s oldest Labor Day sponsored celebration. A parade through downtown Tuscumbia will open the day’s festivities at 11a.m. Musical entertainment and a “Miss” and “Little Miss Labor Day” pageant are scheduled.  Free admission, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information: 256-383-0783.

Source:  Alabama Tourism Department