Many of our youngsters have returned to school, and they’ll get their first taste of a day off. Hooray for Labor Day weekend in Lake County!
Here’s a little bit of history behind the national 'take it easy' day.
The inception of the Labor Day idea was in 1885. The first state to introduce the bill was New York, but Oregon passed it first on February 21, 1887. The emphasis of this holiday was strongly insisted by labor unions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Co-founder Peter J. McGuire is the father of the effort.
To end the Pullman Strike in 1894 (which was a nationwide strike against the Pullman Palace railroad car manufacturers and a turning point in labor law that initially started in Chicago ), President Grover Cleveland made it official and made designated Labor Day as everyone’s favorite Monday off of the year. Say cheers to Labor Day by taking a trip down Lake County's Libation Trail.
We’re in this rat race spinning and spinning, trying to grab that hunk of cheese. Let’s all kick back and relax on this extended weekend and see what’s going on for Labor Day weekend in Lake County 2017.
MainStreet Libertyville invites one and all to their monthly celebration of First Fridays. A variety of fantastic drinks, mouth-watering eats and live entertainment surrounds the event as you peruse the Lake County local mom and pop stores offering promotional sales. Be there or be square! The Friday celebration is a free admission event.
Friday, September 1; 6-9 p.m. Downtown Libertyville, Route 21, Libertyville.
The land of the lost is now found. The Lake County Fairgrounds host Jurassic Quest through Labor Day. The Grayslake exhibit features over 80 realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Visitors can learn, interact and even ride some of these giant life-like lizards. The event is highlighted by, realistic scenes, cute baby dinosaurs, fossil digs for your young paleontologists, the 'Dino Bounce area,' that includes dino-themed inflatable mazes, face painting and much more. Jurassic Quest is the largest exhibition of life-sized, moving museum-quality dinosaurs in North America.
Friday-Monday, September 1-4; Fri 3-8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun and Mon 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets $18-$34. Lake County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
The Glencoe sanctuary has a slew of events scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Celebrate summer's last hurrah at one or all of these Chicago Botanic Garden events.
Even if you don’t own a DeLorean, you can take a trip back to the past to experience the 16th-century Elizabethan era located just over the Wisconsin border. The renowned Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha features sword fighters, maidens, minstrels and jesters. There are many photo opportunities like having the chance to meet and greet with legendary celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth and Robin Hood. The Faire also offers games, rides, arts & crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters. This is the final weekend of the summer-long event.
The New York Times raved that “Honeymoon In Vegas” is “a real-live, old fashioned, deeply satisfying Broadway musical in a way few new shows are anymore!” Based on the classic 1992 film comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker, James Caan and Nicholas Cage, the Lincolnshire show is a hilarious story of commitment-phobe Jack, his not-so-patient girlfriend Betsy and a professional gambler named Tommy. This is a musical comedy in the Golden Age Tradition with gags games and great tunes, highlighting a book by Andrew Bergman (who wrote and directed the original film) and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.
Friday-Sunday September 1-3. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
Summer may be ending, but everyone's favorite and the nation's eldest outdoor festival runs through September 17. There is top-notch talent coming into our fair Lake County. Here's what the Highland Park festival has for you music buffs during Labor Day weekend.
On Labor Day weekend, the City of Zion rejoices in unison as they host the Annual Jubilee Days Festival. The festivities kick off with the annual 5K run Saturday morning, and the fun continues until Monday night. This event also includes a Miss Zion pageant, ice cream social, arts & crafts festival, live music, delectable eats, the Mayors Breakfast, the largest Labor Day parade in Lake County: the Jubilee Parade and fireworks.
Saturday-Monday, September 2-4; Sat 8 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ready to celebrate Long Grove’s Irish Days, American style? Join Long Grove as they celebrate heritage by featuring authentic Irish cuisine, traditional Irish brews, live entertainment that features musicians and dancers, a best-dressed dog competition, kiddie festivities and more. Everyone loves St. Paddy's Day in September.
Saturday-Monday, September 2-4. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
Richardson's Adventure Farm & Corn Maze is known for having the world's largest corn maze. The Spring Grove area spans 33 acres of land and is equipped with 11 miles of trails. Richardson Farm celebrates what most of the Chicagoland area has been waiting for for over a century: A Chicago Cubs World Series. Visitors will walk through a Cubbies-themed maze in 2017 featuring the Chicago skyline, the Wrigley Field marquee, the outfield wall ivy and the legendary play-by-play sportscaster Harry Caray. Besides the renowned maze, the Adventure Farm features another five mazes, a zip line, a pumpkin patch, ORBiting rides (a ride inside a giant 11-foot ball), live pig races, a wooded picnic area, free campfires, pedal carts, pedal trikes, a goat farm, a corn cabin and wagon rides. Richardson Farm is open through Sunday, October 29.
Friday-Sunday, September 2-4; Fri 3-11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun Noon-10 p.m. Admission: $13-$16. Richardson Adventure Farm & Corn Maze, 9407 Richardson Rd., Spring Grove.
Wave farewell and celebrate summer's end by visiting Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor! September 4 marks the final day of Hurricane Harbor for the season. The ultimate end of summer tradition features 15-thrilling coasters like the newest addition to the park, THE JOKER, and many more rides. Enjoy one more splash at Hurricane Harbor and a few more coasters until the Gurnee amusement park transforms into Fright Fest on September 16.
Saturday-Monday, September 2-4. Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor, I-94 and Grand Avenue, Gurnee.
Gallop your way towards Tempel Lipizzans in Old Mill Creek. The majestic steeds progress through their flying horse performances and a four-horse ballet. Following the show, attendees will explore the rich Lipizzan history, the methods of classical riding and receive a tour of the stables. The season is winding down September 10, so don't miss out on the 2017 season.
Sunday, September 3; 1 p.m. Tempel Lipizzans, 17000 Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek.
Labor Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to explore history factoids in Lake County. Here are a few museum exhibits for you and the family to peruse.
