Here’s a list of all the fun ways to spend your Labor Day weekend:
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
ALTER FEST
This is one of the Dayton area's biggest annual festivals, taking up three days and adding a new Music Fest this year. This event has it all: rides, games, food and live music. This year Ashley Martin, the Dave Matthews Tribute Band and U2 Decades will perform Sunday, Sept. 1.
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Aug. 31, noon-midnight. and Sunday, Sept. 1, 4 p.m. -midnight.
WHERE: Alter High School, 940 E. David Road, Kettering.
COST: Alter Family Fest is free. Tickets for Alter Music Fest range from $10 - $50.
INFO: Website and Music Fest tickets
>> 10 reasons you don’t want to miss Alter Fest
FAIR AT NEW BOSTON
This event takes you back to the late 1700s, telling the story of Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark, complete with re-enactments, horses and canons. Music and period entertainment will also be part of the fun.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Rain or shine.
WHERE: George Rogers Clark Historical Park, 936 S. Tecumseh Road, Springfield.
COST: Admission $10 adults, $3 ages 6-11 and $7 with Military active duty ID.
INFO: Website
>> A new twist on this year’s Fair at New Boston
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Speaking of time traveling, this 30-acre village puts you in the thick of 16th Century England. Dozens of musicians, dancers, comedians, jugglers, sword-fighters, storytellers and hundreds of costumed performers entertain patrons of all ages on 12 stages in nearly 100 shows daily. But don’t forget to take in a joust while devouring a giant turkey leg.
New this year is a hypnotist, more acrobatic acts and a dancing pig.
WHEN: Aug. 31 to Oct. 27, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: 10542 E. Ohio 73, Waynesville.
COST: Single-day admission $23, ages 13 and up; $9.50, children 5-12; seniors $21; military/police/fire/EMS, $21. Season Pass $65 for adults. Discount online tickets are $19 of ordered before Saturday mornings at 9 a.m.
INFO: 513-897-7000 ext. 244 or Official Website
>>30 ways to celebrate the Renaissance Festival’s big 3-OH
Credit: CHUCK HAMLIN/STAFF
Credit: CHUCK HAMLIN/STAFF
KETTERING HOLIDAY AT HOME
Holiday at Home has grown from a small, neighborhood event in 1959 into one of Ohio’s largest weekend events. Organizers have gone with “Hits It Out of The Park” for this year’s theme. The parade starts at 9:55 Monday and crafts, children’s games, food trucks and more make up the fun-filled weekend.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 - Sept. 2
WHERE: Kettering Government Center and Fraze Pavilion.
COST: Free
INFO: Official Website
THE BEACH WATERPARK
The waterpark is offering $1 concessions including hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks and ice cream.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2
WHERE: The Beach Waterpark, 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason
INFO: (513) 657-3573 | Official Website
>>RELATED: 7 waterpark adventures close to Dayton
RIVER BLAST
This annual bash offers family activities, a giant inflatable play zone, concessions and music all capped off with a fireworks display.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Ave., Miamisburg
COST: Free
INFO: Facebook
Credit: JAN UNDERWOOD
Credit: JAN UNDERWOOD
DAYTON REGGAE FESTIVAL
This is part of the Downtown Summer Music Series. Enjoy a day of music while relaxing on a blanket. There be food and merchandise vendors as well. No pets, outside food or beverages.
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 1-8 p.m.
WHERE: Levitt Pavilion, 134 S. Main St., Dayton
COST: Free
YOUNG’S DAIRY LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Young's will be hosting a Labor Day Family Value Weekend. Purchase a wristband good for all day, unlimited family fun. Cost is $15 (ages 12 and over) $9 (ages 11 and younger). Wristbands can be purchased at The Dairy Store, The Golden Jersey Inn, The Marketplace, Udders and Putters, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral, Cowvin’s Fast Slide and Cowvin’s Corny Bin and allows for unlimited Udders & Putters miniature golf, batting cages, driving range, Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Fast Slide, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral, Cowvin’s Corny Maze, and wagon rides on the farm.
WHEN: Aug. 30-Sept. 2
WHERE: 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs
INFO: 937-325-0629 | Website
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
LAND OF ILLUSION LABOR DAY WEEKEND
The Land of Illusion is many things throughout the year. But on Labor Day Weekend, it’s all the things. It’s the last weekend of the season for Aqua Adventures Water Park and the opening weekend for its haunted attractions. On Friday, FreakFest 2019 will kick off with a concert with three bands and fireworks.
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31. Aqua Adventures open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Haunted Nights will be from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
WHERE: Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown
COST: Aqua Adventures admission is $20.99 for children and $25.99 for adults. General admission for Haunt Nights ranges from $29.99 to $49.99.
INFO: Website
>> Why Land of Illusion is expanding outside the fright area
FREE CONCERT AT LEVITT PAVILION
The best things in life are free, right? Don’t miss a free concert this weekend at Dayton’s newest outdoor music venue. Gospel artist Tonya Baker will perform Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
>> Who’s playing at Levitt Pavilion this weekend?
>> How to make the most of your Levitt experience
DAYTON UNITED
Drawing Dayton Together- a Tattoo Pop-Up Parlor
Time: 3 p.m.- 11 p.m. Friday, August 30
Location: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. 4th St., Dayton
More info: Facebook
In Yellow Cab fashion, LIVE music will be going on all day as tattoo artists are onsite to help people remember those Dayton lost, as well as look forward to brighter Days ahead. There will also be local baked goods, food trucks and of course, cold drinks from Yellow Cab Tavern.
Entry is free and $50 Dayton tattoos will be given with all of the proceeds going to benefit The Dayton Foundation. Tattoo artists from Blue Byrd Tattoo, RocArt Tattoo and Cloak and Dagger Tattoo Studio will all be inking during the event.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Sound Valley Summer Music Fest
Sound Valley Summer Music Festival 2019 is back for its second year from 4 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St. in Dayton’s Oregon District. The festival will feature food trucks and music from a list of local pop, rock and alternative acts that include Nightbeast, Tino, The New Old Fashioned, The Typical Johnsons and more.
This year, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Dayton Foundation to assist victims of the Memorial Day tornadoes and the Oregon District shooting.
When: 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St. in Dayton's Oregon District
Cost: Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at doors. Advance tickets can be purchased here.
More info: soundvalleydayton.com
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Brunch! A Food Truck Rally & Dayton Market
The monthly Brunch! Food Truck Rally is back at Yellow Cab but this month, all truck fees for the month will go toward The Dayton Foundation. There will also be a special Dayton Market with free spaces for vendors selling to benefit The Dayton Foundation.
The Brunch! Rally is free entry.
Participating vendors:
-Sweets on the Street
When: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday, September 1
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. 4th St., Dayton
Cost: Free admission
More info: Facebook
FORT ROWDY GATHERING
See what life was like in a small trading village in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Plenty of homemade foods, arts and crafts, authentic demonstrations, contests, games and entertainment will be available. There will also be activities for the kids and a free shuttle leaving from Covington High School.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
WHERE: Covington Community Park, 1 S. High St., Covington
COST: Free
INFO: Facebook
About the Author