Labor Day Weekend Planning Guide

September 2nd, 2009 Ryan

Labor Day Weekend comes with mixed emotions for many of us. A long weekend is always a blessing, but this weekend usually marks the beginning of the end…of summer. We had one full month of rain this summer and overall temperatures were not the best, but this weekend looks great and we’ve put together some ideas if you don’t have a trip out of town already planned.

Free Preview of Disney’s Video on Demand

Disney is starting an On Demand channel to showcase their catalog of movies. The new channel will provide unlimited access to 12-15 movies a month. These movies could be anything from the Disney catalog including classics, Pixar, and live action like the High School Musical series. Cable providers are providing a free preview of the new channel during Labor Day weekend, September 3 through September 7. I spoke with Charter and Comcast and both are offering this channel free. Find it by starting at channel 1 (video on demand).

Go Apple Picking (or just visit a family farm)

With Labor Day Weekend begins the start of Apple Picking Season in New England. While it is a little early to be picking apples, the farms are open and eager for you to visit. We’ve put together a map showing you close to 90 farms in Massachusetts. Click on a tree icon to get their phone number and some additional information.
click here for a full version of this map

Farm list sourced from The mdar

Check out a County Fair

We are at the beginning of fair season in New England and this weekend there are plenty to choose from. Most of these are in Western Mass or Connecticut, but are worth a drive if you live near Boston. Most of these fairs can be a good half-day of entertainment, eating, and shopping.

Blandford Fair (9/4 – 9/7) - North Street, Blandford, MA
Agricultural Exhibits, Horse-Oxen-Pony Draws, Horse Show, Entertainment, Truck Pulls (Adults $10; Seniors $6, Servicemen $5; Children (7-12) $5; Under age 6 – FREE) - http://www.theblandfordfair.com

Three County Fair (9/4 – 9/6) - Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Windham Mountain Wild West Show. Horse racing, demo derbies (Adults: $7, children $4) Carnival: Rockwell Amusements. http://www.3countyfair.com

Woodstock Fair (9/4 – 9/7) - South Woodstock, CT
(Adults: $12, Kids under 10 are Free). http://www.woodstockfair.com

King Richard’s Faire (9/5 – 10/25) – 235 Main Street, Carver, MA
At King Richard’s Faire, the New England Renaissance Festival, enjoy musicians, jugglers, acrobats, contests and games for all ages, and knights on horseback. Devour turkey legs, ears of corn, fresh baked cookies, chocolate, wine, and beer and check out a 16th-century marketplace. (Adults: $26; child age 5-11: $15; If you live in Carver; We haven’t confirmed this, but heard this is FREE on Saturday for Carver residents). http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net

Nantucket Arts Festival (through 9/7)
A week-long celebration of the cultural arts on Nantucket, featuring theatre, music, dance, visual arts and literary events. The Nantucket Arts Festival is annually organized by the Nantucket Arts Council. http://www.NantucketArtsCouncil.org

Hit The Beach

This may be one of the last weekends you have to spend at the beach, so if the weather is nice, here are some of our favorites broken down by area.

Boston Beaches

  • Boston Harbor Islands - This 17-island state park is part of the 34-island Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. They are a wonderful natural resource, only 45 minutes by ferry from downtown Boston. Spectacle, Lovells, and Bumpkin island all have beaches. Website
  • Revere Beach - Revere Beach, the oldest public beach in America, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1996. Today, this beach boasts miles of shoreline which welcomes throngs of visitors every summer.  Website
  • Carson Beach - This sandy beach is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, with nearby public amenities and great views of the Harbor. Website

Cape Cod

  • Coast Guard Beach - This beach is a prime swimming beach during the summer months and was dubbed ‘The Great Beach’ by Henry David Thoreau. Website
  • Head of the Meadow Beach - An ocean-side beach in Truro known for towering sand dunes. Website
  • Marconi Beach - Up for a history lesson and some swimming?  The Marconi Area obtained its name from the famous Italian inventor, Marconi. From a site here, Marconi successfully completed the first transatlantic wireless communication between the U.S. and England in 1903. Website

North Shore Beaches

  • Crane Beach - With its clean, inviting water, miles of shoreline, and mesmerizing views, Crane Beach has been a favorite with the ocean-loving public for generations. Website
  • Good Harbor Beach - A popular beach, but pricey with a parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends and holidays. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. Website
  • Nahant/Lynn Beach - 4 miles of waterfront and a boardwalk. Website
  • Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Salisbury Beach is one of the state’s most popular ocean beaches, stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. This 521-acre park offers swimming, boating, fishing, and camping, and is very popular with trailer campers. Website

South Shore Beaches

  • Horseneck Beach State Reservation - Located at the western end of Buzzards Bay, the sandy, southwest-facing, 2-mile long beach is breezy all year round, providing excellent wind surfing and a dependable respite from sweltering inland temperatures every summer. Website
  • Nantasket Beach - The reservation encompasses 26 acres along one and a third miles of oceanfront. Website

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