For many people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer. It sounds good to me, but isn’t there more? Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.

The first Labor Day parade occurred Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. The workers’ unions chose the first Monday in September because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

Today, Labor Day now carries less significance as a celebration of working people and more as the end of summer. Most schools, government offices and businesses are closed on Labor Day. It’s a great day for people to get in one last trip to the beach or have one last cookout before the weather starts to turn colder.

Every area of the states has many ways to celebrate Labor Day.  Because Clay Aiken is living in New York City this year, I checked to see some of the fun things he might decide to do. (Of course, I don’t know he is in NYC this week-end!…lets assume!)

According to the nyctourist.com, a must see on Labor Day is the The Brooklyn West Indian Carnival. It is easily the largest parade in New York City, with an average annual attendance of over two million people.  It is certainly more than a parade.  At this fun event, you can expect live music, dancing, and exotic Caribbean cuisine.

It sounds like fun, but does it sound like something Clay would attend??

Maybe Clay would like a more relaxing way to spend Labor Day afternoon. Close to home is the Central Park Zoo. This NYC attraction displays some of the most exotic animals in the world, including snow leopards, polar bears, poisonous reptiles, and peguins.

A fascinating “only in NYC” idea:  The Metropolitan Opera’s 2015 Summer HD Festival concludes on Labor Day with an outdoor screening of Verdi’s Aida at Lincoln Center Plaza. They have 3,100 free seats and watch this ancient Egyptian tale. (Has Clay seen Aida?)

If Clay is a fan of art, he might want to celebrate Labor Day at Washington Square Park.  More than 125 artists will be  occupying  a piece of the West Village for the biannual Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. This event has been going on for 85 years!!

AM New York has listed some amazing places to eat on Labor Day.  Just look:

…For an Italian riff on Labor Day, head to Carmine’s Upper West Side location on Monday! The $69 “Italian Clambake” for two includes two one-pound lobsters, six baked clams, 12 succulent mussels, pasta with a choice of marinara or garlic and oil, and a mixed green salad or caesar salad.

…Try The Gander :  Dish options include Brisket Tots with potato and mustard; Crispy Calamari Salad with snap peas, grapes, cashews and ranch; Branzino with charred romaine and bread sauce; Dry-aged Cheeseburger with Cheddar, bread & butter pickles and crispy French fries; and a Banana Parfait with saffron, caramel and coconut for dessert. (I think I gained 10 lbs. just reading that.)

Or try Miss Lily’s…Celebrate with Jamaican flare and East Coast tradition. Miss Lily’s Monday crab boil will include Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, corn, potatoes and Jamaican festivals to be enjoyed with complimentary crab bibs.

After all this, my quiet “by the pool grill with the family” holiday sounds just as much fun!!!  But….NYC sounds exciting too!

Whatever Clay decides to do on Labor Day, I hope he has a wonderful day.

 Do you think we might be lucky enough to get a Periscope from him?

Well, maybe!!

I thought the following videos would fit in with summer events…

No, it wasn’t Labor Day, but it was still an exciting outdoor concert by Clay Aiken!