Labor Day Fun in Lexington and Beyond
Labor Day weekend is a sayonara to summer with most folks enjoying an extra day away from work. In Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County, it's a weekend of fun events and outdoor opportunities.
Weekend Events
Thursday, September 3
Natural Bridge State Park is hosting lantern tours beneath the iconic limestone arch starting at 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Call 540-254-0795.
Friday, September 4
Free Wine Tastings! Start your sampling at Lexington Mercantile at 4 p.m., then head over to Purveyors on Main at 5 p.m. to give your palate an afternoon of exploration.
The first Friday of the month means it's the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Lexington. Washington Street is the place to be, as that's where the majority of our galleries can be found. Below are the September receptions, but spend time also perusing the other galleries and the rest of downtown.
- 18 West Gallery: Janie Sussenbach's exhibition "Happy as a Lark," mixed media
- Artists in Cahoots: Ed Bordett's exhibition "This and That," a collection of serigraphs and paintings
- Cabell Gallery: Ariane Luckey
- Nelson Gallery: "Art 4 Arf" benefit for Rockbridge Area SPCA
Lively music will ring out from Boxerwood starting at 6:30 p.m. when Shester, Datz & Newhall take the stage with Half Brassed Brass Band for Music in the Garden. Picnics, chairs, and quilts are welcome.
Friday through Monday, September 4-7
Ecco Adesso Vineyards celebrates all weekend long with wine spritzers, hard cider, mimosa specials, pizzas, and picnic baskets. Open Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Monday noon to 5 p.m. Live music Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Saturday September 5
You may find yourself bouncing around the area this particular Saturday.
At 8 a.m., Fairfield Heritage Day gets started with a hot breakfast (while it lasts) and celebrates the heritage of the Village the rest of the day.
The Kerrs Creek Country Market is an excellent place to secure the latest harvest from community farms and gardens, including wildflowers and art. The market opens at 9 a.m.
Get your toes tappin' with Jason Hostetter from 6 to 9 p.m. at Locher Pavilion. That's where he'll be Rockin' the Gorge in Glasgow. Chairs are encouraged and admission is free.
Sunday, September 6
Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery hosts Loya Brothers for Uncorked Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Wine and craft beer are available for purchase.
Monday, September 7 - LABOR DAY
Rockbridge Baths is celebrating Labor Day with a car show, community yard sale, and fun for the kids. The sales begin at 8 a.m. and the car show at 11 a.m. Stay for a pulled pork lunch. It's all at the Rockbridge Baths Volunteer Fire Department.
Buena Vista's 55th annual Labor Day Festival kicks off bright and early with an 8 a.m. Kids Fun Run followed by a 5K Road Race. The VA250 Mobile Museum will be present and opens to the public at 9 a.m. The Labor Day Parade through downtown steps off at 9:30 a.m., and then you can catch your breath before the opening ceremony and political speeches begin at 11 a.m. Stay for live music by Vinyl Nation at 2 p.m. and Movin' on Wayne Carter at 6 p.m. There will be plenty of food vendors, community organizations, and more all day long, including tours of the historic Paxton House at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Of special interest at the Labor Day Festival this year is the Time Capsule Ceremony. The capsule will be filled at 12:30 p.m. and later buried on Inspiration Hill by the Double Decker Pavilion to be opened in 2076 for the country's 300th anniversary.
More Things to Do
Hull's Drive-In is a great addition to any weekend! The gates open at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and the first movie starts around 8:30 p.m. Showing Labor Day weekend: The Goonies (1985 | Rated PG) and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Art (1989 | PG-13).
The Virginia Horse Center is busy every weekend and Labor Day weekend is no different. The Virginia State 4-H Championship Horse & Pony Show is September 3-6.
Virginia Safari Park is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Monday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.