Labor Day has roots that date back to 1882 in New York City and is observed on the first Monday in September as “an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers” according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
Did you know that Oregon was the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day on Feb. 21, 1887? Other states followed and it became a federal holiday in 1894. History lessons aside, it’s also part of a weekend to relax an extra day before heading back to work or sending the kids to school for the coming academic year.
Here’s a rundown of Philomath events and activities for Labor Day weekend — defined here as 6 p.m. Friday through Monday — along with a selected few from neighboring communities.
Friday, Aug. 30
Cardwell Hill Cellars summer concert series continues with a performance by Jazz Palzz, a Corvallis-based six-member jazz band, will be performing. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and the concert is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Wine will be available by the glass or the bottle. Snacks are available for purchase; attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic. To find Cardwell Hill Cellars from Philomath, head west on Highway 20 and take a right on Kings Valley Highway. After a mile-and-a-half, turn right onto Cardwell Hill Drive. The Cardwell gate is on the left side about three-fourths of a mile down the road.
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For sports fans interested in escaping town for the evening and supporting Philomath athletes, the cross-country team will run for the first time this season at The Opener in Monmouth. The kids will participate in 3-kilometer races (meets are typically 5Ks). Junior varsity runners will go at 6:30 p.m. (girls) and 6:50 p.m. (boys) with the varsity to follow at 7:10 p.m. (girls) and 7:30 p.m. (boys). The course is at the Ash Creek Preserve on the campus of Western Oregon University.
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If pizza and dancing is your thing, you could head over to American Dream Pizza in downtown Corvallis. The establishment is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an alley dance party from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. The event is free but limited to ages 21-plus. Live music begins at 6 p.m. with a lineup that includes Ken Rynearson, Evolution Pie, the Divine Wind Brotherhood and DJ Nicole. American Dream’s downtown location is at 214 SW Second St.
Saturday, Aug. 31
Lumos Wine Co. will host a free Saturday concert from 2-4 p.m. with Cheatgrass, a bluegrass band out of Corvallis. The band features Paul Regan on guitar, Gordon Grant on banjo and Jim Ellenson on mandolin. Nick’s: Soul Food will be on site serving Southern fare from noon-6 p.m. but attendees are also welcome to bring a picnic. Lumos is located at 24000 Cardwell Hill Drive — head west out of Philomath on Highway 20, take a right on Kings Valley Road and after a mile or so, take another right on Cardwell Hill Drive. The winery will be about two-tenths of a mile down the road on the right side. Those headed out area advised to bring their own blanket or chairs to sit on.
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Philomath Museum’s “The Big Picture: American Quilts From the Volckening Collection” exhibit is up at the Moreland Gallery on the second floor. The show, which will remain in place through Oct. 12, features the collection of Bill and Linda Volckening with quilts that go back as far as the 18th century. On the museum’s ground floor, the “What Is It?” exhibition remains with objects that were used locally in the past and would have been familiar to most people living then — an opportunity to enjoy your encounters with the past. Philomath Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
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The Oregon State football team will play its season opener at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Reser Stadium against Idaho State. For links to purchase tickets and other information, go to the team’s schedule section on the OSU athletics website. The game represents the head coaching debut of Trent Bray. Since 1999, the Beavers are 19-2 against FCS opponents.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Corvallis Beer Week activities run over a 10-day period from Aug. 29 through Sept. 7. Hosted by Common Fields, events take place at several different venues to promote the education and celebration of craft beer. On Sunday, Philomath-based Dirt Road Brewing will host a showing of “How Beer Saved the World” at Corvallis Museum. The event runs from 1-5 p.m. The Visit Corvallis website has a nice rundown of all of the events.
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The Philomath Farmers’ Market goes from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of Philomath Community Library with a vendor list that includes produce, other food items, crafts, services and information. The POP Club for kids is also available. The market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards and Double Up Food Bucks, which match SNAP purchases up to $20 each week for fresh produce and food products.
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Lumos Wine Co. as part of Labor Day weekend will host the second of three free concerts from 2-4 p.m. Sunday with the Tuesday String Band, a trio that met through the music program at Western Oregon University and entertains “with fast pickin’, humor and variety in their music.” Nick’s: Soul Food will be on site again Sunday serving Southern fare from noon-6 p.m. but attendees are also welcome to bring a picnic.
Monday, Sept. 2
The third concert of the holiday weekend at Lumos Wine Co. is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. with the Brutal Bridges Band, a Corvallis-based group that blends rockabilly, indie and alternative “with a creative cadence of funk and a dash of drawl-less country.” Admission is free. Nick’s: Soul Food returns with its Southern fare from noon-6 p.m. but attendees are also welcome to bring a picnic.
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In the evening, the Moonlight Country Mixer at Marys River Grange Hall is scheduled to run from 7-10:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for youth (under age 18). The mixers are a regular event out at Grange Hall, meeting during those same hours on Mondays (Sept. 23 will be an exception with the annual “Talk Like a Pirate” event taking place).