Labor Day Weekend in Lake County 2018
By: Jonathan Jones 08/23/2018
Hooray for Labor Day weekend in Lake County: everyone's favorite Monday of the year! 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 on 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.
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Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove[/caption]
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.
For giving us a break, say cheers to Mr. McGuire by taking a walk 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 time off and see what’s going on for Labor Day weekend in Lake County.
It's the last one of the year folks. Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays are located in the Corporate Center Parking Lot and offer a variety of choices in the gourmet eats department. The foodie frenzy includes trucks such as Mothers Truckin Good Food, Mario’s Cart Race for the Taste, Toasty Cheese, Grill Chasers, Toasty Taco, Happy Lobster and more. Take in the aromas that waft through the air, while a delectable dish is prepared right in front of your eyes.
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, lifelike 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.
Perfect timing as we've been celebrating Illinois' 200th birthday. The Lincoln Funeral Train is a historically accurate full-sized re-creation of the locomotive and rail car that carried the body of President Abraham Lincoln from Washington, DC, to Springfield, IL, in 1865. The Lincoln Funeral Train debuted in May 2015 as a highlight of Springfield’s sesquicentennial funeral events and toured the Midwest throughout 2015 as part of the nation’s 150th commemoration of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. This replica artifact will be on display in Antioch until September 9. The event will also have Civil War re-enactors, 1860s music and more on Labor Day weekend.
The marquee music fest in Highland Park packs the house with superb talent every year. The outdoor sound party, the oldest of its kind aged 113 years young, has a nostalgic lineup for attendees for Labor Day weekend. Get ready for a memorable weekend in Lake County.
In the words of Bart Simpson, "no one ever suspects the butterfly." Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species are native to Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can observe the butterflies hatching through a window located inside the pupa emergence room. This exhibit runs through September 3.
You'll be amazed by their maize mazes. Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze is known for having the world’s most massive corn maze. The Spring Grove area spans 33 acres of land and is equipped with 11 miles of trails. Richardson Farm celebrates the Land of Lincoln turning the ripe old age of 200 this year. Visitors will walk through a design that includes the state of Illinois, beloved 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, the capitol building in Springfield, the John Hancock Building and Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel in Chicago, a tractor representing probably both John Deere (based in Moline) and Caterpillar (based in Peoria) and various other outlines. 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-football), 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, November 4.
This show hosted by the Deer Park Town Center will feature juried artists showcasing and selling fine arts and crafts. Festival-goers can jive to the live tunes. The kiddies won't fret because there are dozens of activities like an art scavenger hunt. This is a free admission event, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Who’s created the fastest vessel on in Lake County … made of cardboard? Grab your friends and set out to construct the speediest watercraft on this side of the Bangs Lake. All ages are welcome. Here are two tips: make it gaudy and make it floaty. Judges will present awards to the Fastest regattas, Best Dressed, Team Spirit, Spectacular Sinking Boat and the Best Design and Theme. Races begin at 11 a.m. Stick around for a bite to eat at Lindy's!
Wave farewell and celebrate summer’s end by visiting Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor! September 3 marks the final day of Hurricane Harbor for the season. The ultimate end of summer tradition features 16-thrilling coasters like the newest addition to the park, Mardi Gras Hangover, and several other rides. Enjoy one more splash at Hurricane Harbor and a few more coasters until the Gurnee amusement park transforms into Fright Fest on September 15.
Erin Go Braugh in Lake County...in September? 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.
For seven decades the City of Zion has rejoiced 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.
Bully! It's the final weekend to experience the 16th-century English Elizabethan era just over the Wisconsin border. The renowned Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha features sword fighters, maidens, minstrels and jesters. There are many photo opportunities for having the chance to meet and greet with legendary celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth and Robin Hood. The Faire also offers games, rides, arts and crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters.
The Old Mill Creek farm is still celebrating their 60th year in existence. This show is the final event on the 2018 stallion calendar. View these glorious white steeds as they entertain audiences with their flying horse movements, four-horse ballet and other historical nuggets.
Other Labor Day Weekend Happenings
For other things to do on Labor Day weekend in Lake County, continue here.
