Labor Day falls on Monday, September 2, and there are plenty of local parades planned to commemorate the day and the unofficial end of summer.
Where: Haledon
When: Sunday, September 1
Deets: The opening ceremony begins at the museum at 10:30 am. Step-off at the museum is at 11 am, rain or shine. This year’s Grand Marshals are Susan Butterfield, president, Passaic County Education Associations; Brian Jackson, business manager/financial secretary/treasurer, United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, Local 10 and president, Passaic County Building & Construction Trades Council; and Thomas Kelly, business agent, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 827, and president, Passaic County Central Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and 2nd Vice President and Trustee, American Labor Museum.
Boonton Fire Department Labor Day Parade and Carnival
Where: Boonton
When: Saturday, August 31
Deets: For the past 87 years, the Boonton Fire Department holds an inspection and a parade Labor Day Weekend. This year, the parade will assemble in the West Boonton area and proceed down Main Street to Grant Street to Old Boonton Road, ending at Boonton High School. The apparatus judging will take place before the parade; older firemen residing at the New Jersey Firemen’s Home will come to the reviewing stand to view new equipment, comrades and possibly their former units on parade.
Mendham Labor Day Parade and Carnival
Where: Starts on East Main St. and Mountain Ave., Mendham
When: Monday, September 2
Deets: The annual Labor Day Parade and Carnival is back again with tons of rides, games and carnival food, perfect for ending the summer in the best way possible. Stop by Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening for the carnival. On Labor Day, the Mendham Labor Day Parade marches up Main Street ending at Borough Field.
South Plainfield Labor Day Parade and Festivities
Where: Veterans Park, South Plainfield
When: Monday, September 2
Deets: This claims to be the oldest and largest Labor Day parade in New Jersey. The 65th annual theme is Once Upon a Parade. Kick off the day – literally – with the 5K race at 9:30 am. The parade starts at the PAL Building on Maple Avenue at 10 am and ends at South Plainfield Middle School. From 11 am to 4 pm, there will be vendors, food, a beer tent, music by DJ Troy and more entertainment at Veterans Park. At night, head to Spring Lake Park for music at 7 pm followed by an 8:30 pm fireworks show.
Here are some more Labor Day activities for you and your crew:
Saturday & Sunday
Labor Day Weekend Boardwalk Craft Show
Boardwalk, Wildwood
If you’re a fan of handmade products, check out the craft items, boutique items, gifts and more.
Sesame Place Labor Day Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Elmo will be available for meet-and-greets in his patriotic attire on both days. The “C is for Celebrate” Labor Day Fireworks will light up the sky on Sunday.
Sunday
Middlesex County’s Annual Labor Day Concert
Roosevelt Park, Edison
This year’s concert will feature The British Invasion Years, a ‘60s musical revolution, spanning the entire first wave of the British Invasion Era.
Frenchtown’s Riverfest
Sunbeam Lenape Park and Bridge Street, Frenchtown
For the past 20 years, this festival is traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend to celebrate life along the river. Stroll Bridge Street and Sunbeam Park for a fun-filled day of live music, art, food, family-friendly activities, and paper boat races with the Frenchtown Vikings, all with an ecologically- and sustainability-focused lens. There will be 70+ local vendors, 20+ local musicians and six food vendors.
Monday
Labor Day Street Fair
Riverdale
This year’s annual Labor Day party will also celebrate the town’s centennial. There will be exhibitors selling a selection of assorted items, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides and games, great festival foods and food trucks, and so much more. See the shows with live music, dancing, karate demonstrations, and more. Come hungry and eat carnival food favorites, plus order from the food trucks. The Kidz Traveling Shindig is a section in the school parking lot area dedicated to children with kiddie bounce rides, slides, and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art and kids’ games.
Labor Day Fireworks
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant
Finish out summer at Jenkinson’s at dark with the family. Bring a lawn chair or beach blanket and watch the sky light up above the ocean.
Vegan Labor Day Wellness Festival
The Villa, Glen Gardner
Eat clean, gourmet, plant-based foods prepared by multiple vegan chefs from tri-state vegan restaurants. There will be activities and discussions centered around wellness, such as yoga classes, sound healing, biomagnetism, essential oils, make-your-own workshops, a saltwater swimming pool, an outdoor sauna, a Bulgarian Rose Otto Radium Mineral Salt bath, and music.
Read More:
This Beach in NJ is Ranked No. 1 For Labor Day BBQs
20 Things To Do Before Labor Day in NJ
Our Mega-Guide to Fairs and Festivals in NJ
Get Your 2-For-1 Broadway Week Tickets
