Enjoy your three-day weekend before diving into a busy autumn. Music lovers will enjoy the Appaloosa Music Festival. The Virginia Scottish Games will celebrate 50 years. And Labor Day weekend also offers lots of kid-friendly activities, too.
4th Annual Grape Escape Labor Day Event at Eden Try Winery
August 30 –September 2
Spend Labor Day weekend in Fredericksburg at the dog-friendly Eden Try Winery. All weekend long, there will be live music, food trucks, and of course lots of wine to sip. 6818 River Rd., Fredericksburg, free
Appaloosa Music Festival
August 31–September 1
Head to Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal for this annual, family-friendly event. The festival showcases musicians and bands that play Americana, Celtic, and bluegrass. Among the headliners will be TopHouse, the Gothard Sisters, and Scythian. 751 Mountain Rd., Front Royal, $125-$170 at the gate
Corn Maze & Apple Harvest
August 31–September 30
If you’re already looking forward to fall, Labor Day weekend at Great Country Farms kicks off the annual corn maze. Don’t miss pick-your-own apples, pig races, marshmallow roasting, cow train rides, and more. Buying tickets in advance is highly recommended. 34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont, $14 for children online, $16 for adults online, $16 for children at the gate, $18 for adults at the gate
50th Virginia Scottish Games
August 31–September 1
Many Virginians hail from Scottish descent and this event celebrates their ancestry. There are Olympic-style sports games like a hammer toss, traditional food (haggis anyone?) and of course, bagpipes. Meet international best-selling author Coinneach MacLeod. 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, $20 for day passes, $30 for two-day pass, children under 5–12, $5, meet and greet, $40
Annual Labor Day Car Show
September 2, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
This car show in Old Town Fairfax next to Fire Station 3 showcases antiques, classics, muscle cars, trucks, and more. The event is produced by the City of Fairfax and the Clifton Lions Club. The mission of the show is to raise money for local charities, including the Cloverleaf Equine Center and Inova’s Life with Cancer. 4081 University Dr., Fairfax, free but donations encouraged
LoCo Kids Fest
September 2, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
There will be lots of family-friendly activities at this festival: a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, a magician, a bounce house. Food vendors will serve summer fare like burgers, hot dogs, snow cones, and more. DJ Bifocals will be spinning tunes. Segra Field Parking Lots, 42095 Loudoun United Dr., Leesburg, free
Cardboard Boat Regatta
September 2, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Don’t miss this popular event for children ages 6 to 16. All boats must be registered by August 30 and the fee is $30 per one-person boat entry or $40 per two-person boat entry. The event will be at Signal Bay Water Park’s Lazy River with a rain location at the Manassas Park Community Center’s indoor pool. 9300 Signal View Dr., Manassas, free to watch
Super Heroes at Shipgarten
September 2, 12–6 p.m.
A family-oriented day awaits at this family festival, where you can get photos with Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Captain America. The event will include lots of food, lawn games, and comfy spots to relax before bidding adieu to summer. 7581 Colshire Dr., Tysons, free
Labor Day Live Music at James River Cellars
September 2, 1–4 p.m.
For those up for a drive. James River Cellars hosts a relaxing afternoon under a pavilion with acoustic music. There is no entry fee and wine purchases will be available in the Tasting Room. The food truck Gregory’s Grill, which serves seafood and American fare, will be on hand. 11008 Washington Hwy., Glen Allen
Feature image courtesy The Virginia Scottish Games
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