Celebrate Labor Day Texas Style

Labor Day is traditionally known as the last "hoorah" for the summer. After this all the children are back in school, college students are away at college and the working class is back to the doldrums of everyday work with their next vacation only a short ten to twelve months away.

During my short time here in Houston, Texas I have learned several things about my adoptive state. First, it is great in the State of Texas. Second, everything - and I do mean everything is bigger here than just about any other place I have been (okay, maybe not NYC - but just about every place else). The land is bigger, more open, the highways are bigger, the airports are bigger, the frogs I find in my pool are bigger, the wait to get my drivers license is definitely bigger (a scant 3 hour wait) and the insects must be on steroids. But all that aside, the entertainment is definitely bigger and well, to be honest, a lot better than what I am accustomed to.

In my search for the perfect end to my summer, I decided to research all that Houston has to offer. It is so much that in this article I can only highlight. I limited my search for entertainment and adventure to the Houston area, because I have learned also that should I search for more things to do farther from home I may never end my search and end up sitting on my couch with nothing to do because the amount to choose from leaves one with their head spinning.

If you need suggestions for something to do Labor Day Weekend, why not visit here and take advantage of all these opportunities.

Take a Cruise
On Sunday, September 2, 2007 the Star Gazer and Star Spirit Yachts are available for a four and half hour cruise to Redfish Island. This entertainment cruise features a concert by Kelly McGuire, beer, wine, champagne and set-ups. Hard Liquor is bring your own. Hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixings are the menu for this afternoon of fun. Costs for this excursion including taxes $62.45. This event is also a "raft-up," so you can register to bring your own boat and join in the party fun along the Redfish Island dock. Proceeds will be used to benefit the Galveston Bay Foundation.

Music and More
Jazz Music Festival
International and local jazz musicians will be performing at Houston's Jones Plaza Labor Day weekend. Entertainers performing include: Najee, Marion Meadows, Dean James, Howard Hewitt and Miki Howard, Angela Bofill, Alex Bugnon and Roy Ayers. This year's festival will be raising money for the non-profit organization; Children Have a Tomorrow (CHAT).

Uncle Kracker will be performing Friday, August 31, 2007 at Sam Houston Race Park. Lawn seats for this show are $10.00 and reserved seats are $29.00. Uncle Kracker's debut album, Double Wide, went double platinum and featured his first hit single, "Follow Me".

The Charlie Daniels Band will be performing on Saturday, September 1, 2007. This band is recognized for many of their songs, most notably "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." This group formed in the 1950's and have produced over 40 albums as well as been Grammy winners. Tickets are available at Ticket master, lawn seats are $15.00 and reserved seats are $24.00.

If you don't want to stop and start the fun, purchase the Sam Houston Race Park Party Pack which ranges in price from $48.00 to $120.00 (varies according to performances/number of people in party). This party pack includes the races at 6:00 p.m. the concert at 8:00 p.m. and barbeque dinner and drinks with a grandstand seat.

Sports
Soccer: The Houston Labor Day Cup, a soccer tournament for Northwest Houston area boys and girls recreational teams will be held at various parks in the Katy/Cypress Fairbanks area. Parks involved are Bear Creek, Katy, George Bush Park, and Zupe. If you have a youth interested in soccer take this opportunity to show them some outstanding local teams.

College Football: watch The Labor Day classic in person or in the comfort of an air conditioned sports bar. This year's classic features the fierce rivalry between the Texas Southern University Tigers and the Prairie View A&M Panthers. The game is held at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 and $25.00 in advance and available at Ticket master. Game day tickets are $26.00 with parking at $8.00 a vehicle.

For the Kids
The Houston Zoo
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! And that is not the end of the wonderful, education and interactive activities available at the Houston Zoo. Don't forget to stop by the Children's Zoo area, visit the Bird Gardens, Reptile House and the Asian Elephant House. You can travel the world at The Houston Zoo. Open on Labor Day - and best of all it is free! Parking is limited and with the holiday and no admission it is recommended that visitors park somewhere else and take the Metro to the park.

The Downtown Houston Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium is a six acre recreational facility that includes dining, shopping, 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks and 200 species of fish. Featured exhibits are the Louisiana Swamp, White Tigers from India, Rainforest, and a Shipwreck. For dining there is the Aquarium Restaurant, Ballroom, and Dive Lounge. Additional activities available are: a Shark Voyage on the C.P. Huntington train, a Ferris wheel and carousel. For the Labor Day holiday weekend, the downtown Aquarium will also be hosting a Latin Festival, Reggae Festival, a Hawaiian luau and a Brazilian festival. Each day a different festival will feature that cultures cuisine, music, dance and activities.

Radio One Day in the Park
The 3rd Annual Radio-One Family Fun Day in the Park is presented by Buick, Pontiac, and GMC on Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 1p-9p (Gates open at 12pm) at Eleanor Tinsley Park, near Downtown Houston. Admission is reasonable at $5.00 per person 10 years and up and children 10 and under are free.

For a list of parks, restaurants, and shopping that are hosting special Labor Day events visit http://houston.citysearch.com/roundup/37774. A very complete listing of parks across the Houston area, their open times and activities available at the park are listed as well as highlights of restaurants and bars around the region.

The list can go on and on and on. My recommendation is to make it a theme day. Go to the Rainforest Café (Katy or Galveston), head to the Zoo or Aquarium or Moody Gardens. For a sports theme, head to a sports bar or indulge in the wonderful thick juicy burgers at Willie's Restaurant and then head out to watch the college football game. You can't go wrong with anything you choose to do this holiday weekend, but with this list and your own creativity you won't end your summer in the ho hums but with happy memories no matter where locals and tourist alike visit in Houston.