Labor Day Activities in Charlotte, NC for the Whole Family

Labor Day is celebrated every year to honor the U.S. labor force and to wave a wistful goodbye to summer. It's also your last chance to wear white - unless, of course, you scoff at such Victorian traditions. Whatever the case, there are several Labor Day activities to enjoy in Charlotte.

Labor Day Parade

From 9:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, the whole family can marvel at the floats and other sights at the Charlotte Labor Day Parade. It starts uptown and winds its way through the city, so you can catch a glimpse at several locations along its route. There are also appearances by politicians and beauty queens, as well as lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained.

The parade also features many of the local labor unions, who make floats to appear in the parade and offer literature to those who are interested. Nearby businesses often offer discounts and other specials during and after the parade, so you can easily make a day of it.

Matthews Alive Festival

The 2011 Matthews Alive Festival will take place over Labor Day weekend, September 2-5. Matthews is only about a twenty-minute drive from Charlotte, NC, and this is one of the larger events in the area. There are three stages featuring live music, plus a Family Fun Zone for kids and plenty of food vendors.

Pony and train rides will keep kids captivated while their parents explore some of the arts and crafts vendors. There's a parade, and local artisans are encouraged to participate if they wish to show off their creations. Just make sure to get there early, as the turn-out is usually enormous.

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze

Drive 20 miles north of Charlotte, NC, to Huntersville, where Rural Hill Farms hosts the annual Amazing Maize Maze. A maze is formed of a seven-acre corn field, and there are competitions to see who can complete it first. The maze forms a thematic image, which this year is constructed around the theme of family fitness.

There are also mini-mazes for the younger children, thirty-minute hay rides, lots of food vendors, picnic areas, and games. The Amazing Maize Maze is not specifically a Labor Day event, but it starts over Labor Day weekend and continues into November.

Ramsey Creek Park

Located on the beautiful and picturesque Lake Norman, Ramsey Park has a large lake for fishing and boating, a beach area, horseshoe pits, a volleyball park, and picnic areas. Spend Labor Day with friends and family in the great outdoors, fishing off the beach or lounging in the shade.

Ramsey Park has a playground so the kids will always have something to entertain them, and there is an adjacent three-acre dog park if you want to bring your four-legged family member along.