There’s more to Labor Day than just the MDA Telethon (as noble a cause as it is). The long holiday weekend gives you one more chance to get out and enjoy the last remaining days of late sunsets and warm temperatures.
Around the country major cities are gearing up for fall with noteworthy family-friendly festivals. Here are just a few:
PORTLAND, OREGON
The city’s 11th annual Art in the Pearl is a three-day extravaganza, which fills Portland’s streets with art, theater, music and hands-on activities for adults and children. More than 100 vendors pack the area with paintings, photography, glass, clay, metal, jewelry and even handcrafted furniture that you can buy or simply admire. After browsing the goods stroll over to the many food booths that offer a variety of delicious ethnic eats such as Nepali pot stickers, Mexican tamales and African kebabs. The event is held annually on Labor Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Italian Village Ferrari Fest. Cruise into fall with this car festival featuring food, wine, and of course, an assortment of Ferraris. The event takes place on September 9th at Monroe Street between Clark and Dearborn streets in Chicago.
Celtic Fest Chicago. Grab your kilt and head out to his annual event featuring several stages of music, competitions, and a contest for men in kilts. Fun. All the activities take place at Chicago’s Grant Park September 15-16.
Chicago’s Taste of Romania. You can’t go wrong with this colorful late summer festival, which features roasting, grape stomping, and plenty of Romanian cuisine. The event takes place September 15-16 in Chicago.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
When National Gallery of Art founder Andrew Mellon died in 1937, Congress had just approved the museum. In the years following Mellon’s death his son, Paul oversaw the completion of the structure and became instrumental in developing its collection. Over the years Paul Mellon and his wife donated over 1,000 works of art including pieces by Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh. But, perhaps, the family’s greatest gift was the nearly 50 pieces of art work by Edgar Degas they donated to make the museum the largest home to Degas sculpture anywhere in the world.
In honor of the Mellon’s generous contributions National Gallery of Art has been celebrating his legacy throughout 2007. Beginning October 1st, Mellon’s interest in British art will be remembered with an exhibit of J.M.W. Turner’s work. The retrospective is being heralded as the largest ever shown in the United States.
Related Articles:
Five Reasons You Should Visit Chicago
Five More Reasons You Should Visit Chicago
Family Travel: Time To Stop and Smell The Roses