Cleveland Labor Day Traditions: Air Show and Oktoberfest

If you are in Cleveland and are wondering what to do on Labor Day weekend, you must be new in town. There are two events in particular that are synonymous with the holiday weekend.

Cleveland National Air Show

The Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lake Front Airport is a given for many locals. Enjoy three days of action featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds September 3, 4 and 5.

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and more
Each day, six of the Thunderbirds will put their red, white and blue F-16 jet fighters through a variety of moves in an hour-long choreographed performance. Jets are often as close as three feet from each other flying along at speeds up to 500 mph. Comedy acts in the sky are a surprising twist and the aerobatics cannot be beat. The Golden Knights are an elite parachute team that serve as goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Army. Annually the team performs more than 27,000 jumps before an estimated 14 million people.

Interactive exhibits
In addition to the action overhead, visitors of all ages can check out planes on the ground, collect autographs from the performers and much more. If you wondering where to start, head over to one of three information booths to pick up an up-to-date flying schedule, a list of interactive exhibits, displays and vendors along with a map and a chance to win a prize package.

Visitor Information
There is no seating available so you may want to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
You can order tickets in advance online for a discount.
Adult tickets are $19 online, $21 at the gate; Youth tickets are $12 online and $14 at the gate. Children under 5 are free.
Gates open at 9 a.m., no reentry after 3:30 p.m.

Oktoberfest
After the airshow, head down to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio for the annual Oktoberfest from September 2 to September 5, 2011. Regardless of your nationality, this event is impressive. French, Irish, Italian, everyone can join in the fun.

German culture extravaganza
Enjoy authentic German food, beer and a host of great entertainment. Weiner dog races, polka bands, a corn hole tournament and microbrew competitions. The VW show and juried car show may bring out the dads, while the kids can enjoy gingerbread house building, the Frisch Marionette show, toy trains and a bunch of inflatables.

Over 40,000 people come through this event each Labor Day weekend for good reason; there is something for everyone.

Visitor information
Gates open Friday at 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Monday at noon. The fairgrounds close at midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 9 p.m. on Monday, rain or shine.
Children under 12 are free.


Note: Taste of Cleveland has traditionally been a Labor Day event, but will unfortunately not be held this year.