Labor Day in Memphis: A guide to things to do over the holiday weekend

John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·5 min read
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"Labor Day." Is the name of the holiday misleading? Don't many of us look forward to the first Monday in September because on this day we're excused from our jobs and our classrooms — in other words, our labors? Shouldn't the holiday be called "No Labor Day"?

Of course, the origin of Labor Day is not to celebrate shirking but to recognize the American labor movement and what the U.S. Department of Labor calls "the social and economic achievements of American workers." Congress made "Labor Day" official on June 28, 1894, with a bill that made the first Monday in September a federal holiday.

Today, Labor Day, which more or less marks the unofficial end of summer, is generally considered a day to either relax or to labor in the service of fun. Fortunately, Memphis offers many options for activity enthusiasts. Here are 10 of them (nine, because September is the ninth month, and one to grow on.)

'Day One' at Tom Lee Park

A giant otter is part of the play area at the newly renovated Tom Lee Park in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 21, 2023. The park has undergone a $61 million overhaul and is set for a formal Sept. 2 opening event.
A giant otter is part of the play area at the newly renovated Tom Lee Park in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 21, 2023. The park has undergone a $61 million overhaul and is set for a formal Sept. 2 opening event.

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 2, Tom Lee Park

After almost two years and a $61 million investment, the public will be able to return to the city's signature Mississippi riverfront public space when Tom Lee Park reopens. Controversial in some quarters, the Memphis River Parks Partnership's redesign of the park, with its winding paths, terraces, native plants, basketball courts, and whimsical yet monumental zoomorphic and ichthyomorphic climbing sculptures for kids (check out the river otter and the catfish), is user-friendly — unless, apparently, that user is the Memphis in May International Festival. The festival in August was billed $1.4 million by the Partnership, to repair damages the organization claims were suffered by Tom Lee during the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the events that gave the public its first albeit temporary introduction to the redesign. Whatever the future of Memphis in May and Tom Lee, a visit to the redesigned park should be considered a must for active Memphians.

The Delta Fair & Music Festival

Sept. 2, 2018: Sharon Harris and her nephew Joduntis Robinson, 10, hold on while on a ride at the Delta Fair at the Agricenter
Sept. 2, 2018: Sharon Harris and her nephew Joduntis Robinson, 10, hold on while on a ride at the Delta Fair at the Agricenter

Sept. 1-10, Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road

Launched in 2007 after the long-running Mid-South Fair exited Memphis, the Delta Fair has most of the rides, livestock shows, funnel cakes, turkey legs and pig races that characterized its predecessor. Generally, tickets are $15 per adult, but prices vary, and several "theme days" and "wristband days" offer bargains. Some of the music acts include Travis Ledoyt, whose Sept. 4 "Tribute to the King" pays homage to Elvis, and Pulse, a Pink Floyd tribute band that performs Sept. 1. For tickets and more information, visit deltafest.com.

901 Fest

Sept. 1-3, Railgarten, 2166 Central

With the North Mississippi Allstars (Sept. 1), Dead Soldiers (Sept. 2) and Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience (Sept. 3) as headliners, the 901 Fest, launched in 2016 as what has come to be known as "901 Day" (September 1 — 9/01), celebrates local and regional music. In conjunction with the music, Railgarten on Sept. 1 and 2 also hosts "Marketplace in Motion," a fair for local vendors and artists. Single-day tickets and three-day passes are available. Visit railgarten.com/901-fest.

Record Swap & Zine Fest 8

Sept 2-3, Crosstown Concourse

"Calling all music lovers, record collectors, zinesters, artists, punks, poets, and weirdos!" That's the "Avengers Assemble!"-esque call to action on the crosstownarts.org website that promotes this year's edition of an annual event that brings together vendors and collectors of vinyl, CDs and cassettes, along with those creatives who produce "zines," i.e., fanzines, i.e., homemade magazines devoted to arts and culture and lifestyle. Admission is free.

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Beale Street Cigar Festival

Sept. 1-3, Beale Street

Smoke 'em if you got 'em at this seventh annual stogie celebration, which showcases live R&B and jazz, bourbon and whiskey tastings, and vendors representing what organizers tout as "the top cigar brands in the world." Admission prices vary. Visit bealestreetcigarfestival.com.

Memphis Redbirds 901 Day

Sept. 1, AutoZone Park

Memphis' Class AAA ball club recognizes "901 Day" with a host of activities, giveaways, food specials and photo ops. Notably, the first 1,500 fans to enter the gate will receive one of two 901-themed T-shirts; and the traveling version of the Overton Park Stage, the mobile stage known as the "Shell on Wheels," will be parked in the concourse from 4 p.m. until the game starts at 7, to showcase concert performances by and Black Cream and the Lucky 7 Brass Band. Visit milb.com/memphis.

'They Live'

4 p.m. Sept. 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 6, the Malco Collierville and Paradiso cinemas

With the presidential campaign heating up, what better time to revisit director John Carpenter's 1988 satirical cult classic of extraterrestrial invasion, "They Live," in which wrestler-turned-actor "Rowdy" Roddy Piper discovers a hidden world of alien mind-control within the ubiquitous consumer-and-entertainment culture of America. Returning for two special screenings in recognition of its 35th anniversary, the film is perhaps best-remembered for Piper's boast: "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum." For tickets, visit malco.com.

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Proud Out Loud 80's Night

6-9 p.m. Sept. 1, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar

Participants are invited "to dance the night away" (at least until 9) at what is billed as an "LGBTQIA+ celebration," with drinks donated by WISEACRE Brewing; a trivia contest; and prizes for the best '80s costume. To register, visit memphislibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Reba Russell Band

7:30 p.m. Sept. 1, The Green Room, Crosstown

Memphis' stalwart soul/rock diva, whose powerful pipes have graced decades' worth of recordings by everyone from Al Green to U2, performs in the comfortable, intimate setting of the Crosstown Green Room. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Visit crosstownarts.org.

Reba Russell performs one of Mavis Staples’ songs after Staples is inducted during the Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis.
Reba Russell performs one of Mavis Staples’ songs after Staples is inducted during the Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis.

Healthier 901 Fest

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 2, Shelby Farms Park

Sponsored by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, this inaugural family-friendly free festival aims to demonstrate that healthy living can be fun and delicious. Free health screenings and weight-loss guidance accompany cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, fitness activities, live music, "dedicated kids zones" and more. Visit healthier901.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Labor Day weekend in Memphis: Delta Fair, 901 Fest & more things to do