Labor Day Activities in Portland, Oregon

Not sure how to spend that extra day off coming to you on Labor Day? Don't belabor your family with home renovation ideas. Don't you dare decide to de-ice your freezer or clean your basement. The whole point of Labor Day is to acknowledge that fact that you spend too much of your life laboring. The whole point is to take the day off. No excuses: take advantage of the exciting events in and around Portland, Oregon this Labor Day weekend.

If culture and art thrill you, schmooze with over a hundred artists showing and selling their work in the hip Pearl district in downtown Portland, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 and Monday 10 to 5. Live music, theater, and beverages will abound. This is also a kid-friendly event with activities such as craft-making for the kids.

Fast cars more your pace? The Columbia River Classic continues their Labor Day tradition of hosting vintage cars for their three days of racing at the Portland International Raceway. Tickets are $10 per day or $20 to take in the races on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. If vintage cars seem to go better with wine, then head out of town to McMinnville in the heart of Oregon's wine country. The Evergreen Aviation Museum will host the Oregon Vintage Festival from Friday through Sunday. Buy a weekend pass for $35, which includes one visit to their upcoming IMAX Theater. Or buy a ticket for the day for $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday or Sunday.

Want something more kid oriented? OMSI is hosting The Reptile and Amphibian Show, which your seven-year-old will tell you is only the largest amphibian/reptile gathering in the Northwest! Bring the family down to OMSI on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. They can also take part in hands-on activities and educational demonstrations. Tickets are $7 to $9.

Confess: nothing thrills you more than the Labor Day Sales. Don't pass up the Woodburn Mall's Sidewalk Sale on Monday to get a reduction on already hot outlet prices. For the beer lovers and beach lovers alike, drive on down to Newport Beach for the Rogue Brewery's Annual Labor Day Sale. What goes better with a long weekend at the beach than a good price on one of Oregon's premier microbreweries?

Finally, for those who just want to picnic and relax this Labor Day Weekend, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council is sponsoring the largest Labor Day picnic in Oregon at Oaks Park from 10 to 5. Send the kids off to enjoy the Oaks Park Amusement rides (for a special rate of $6.25 for a deluxe ride bracelet), and kick back to view the river and listen to the day-long live music. Be sure to catch the Oregon Symphony Players at noon. All working people - union or nonunion - are invited to attend. Approximately 10,000 people are expected to attend this free event.

Be sure to savor at least one of the Oregon delights this upcoming Labor Day weekend. And remember to be sure to relax.