Discover the Best Things to Do in Texas This Labor Day Weekend

What exactly is Labor Day and why do we Americans celebrate it with a vengeance? Because Labor Day is one of a handful of Monday holidays that gives us a relaxing three-day weekend. Meaning, I do not have to take a PTO day to have a fun weekend. Throughout the years, Labor Day has become synonymous with family barbecues, savoring the last days of summer, and of course Labor Day sales.

Labor Day is the national holiday that falls on the first Monday in September and recognizes the work we Texans put into making a living. Over the years I always celebrated Labor Day with weekend sales events at retail outlets, and then competing in the Ben Richey Boys' Ranch chili cook-off which I won many years in a row.

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While Labor Day is a national holiday, we Texans have often celebrated it by kicking off the opening of bird hunting season, getting the kids back in school, and saying farewell to the desert-heat-like summers. So I asked the question, when did Labor Day start?

Way back on September 5, 1882, it began with a small parade. The first Labor Day parade was more like a protest by members of New York’s Central Labor Union as they marched in protest for safer working conditions, as well as to honor the benefits their union was giving. About 10,000 workers marched to City Hall on 42nd Street in New York City. However, the main focus of the parade/protest was to the fact that they were overworked and underpaid.

In modern times, we celebrate a weekend of not having to think about work for 72 hours. Three days not having to put up with a nutty boss and crazy coworkers. With a three-day weekend on your hands, here are my "Fearless Fave Five" Things To Do right here in the Key City during Labor Day weekend.

Fearless Fave Five Things To Do

1. Visit my favorite, the Abilene Zoo. See the animals, enjoy lunch, and have your picture snapped with some awesome animals in the background.
2. Visit the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Take in "The Cat in the Hat" and "The Lorax" and learn to think like a kid again.
3. Spend a day at Frontier Texas learning the history of how Abilene came to be.
4. Enjoy a weekend of live entertainment, food like brisket, ribs and chili, and auctions at the Ben Richey Boys' Ranch Chili Super Bowl.
5. Tour the ghostly remains of the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum. Learn about how Abilene and Texas have helped keep the United States safe.