Even as I type this I can’t really believe we are already at the Labour Day long weekend. As ready as I am to send my kids back to school (and I’m pretty ready), the summer always flies by way too fast. Here’s hoping we have a lovely, warm September. Many of the Ottawa area apple orchards are up and running this weekend, if you haven’t read it yet, check out my latest blog about the best u-pick orchards. For more help on planning out the final days of summer break, here is my guide to the best family events for the Labour Day long weekend.

Saturday:

• Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Ride – La Baie Park, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (colourful balloons, musical performances, yoga, amusement rides and more)
• Perth Fair – Perth Fairgrounds, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (amusement rides, canine all stars, food, demolition derby, live entertainment)
• Brockville Tall Ships Festival – Brockville waterfront, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Tall ships and other watercraft line the waterfront and the harbour while entertainment and vendors will be set up on land. Admission to the grounds is available with a $5 wristband)
• Horse Lovers Weekend – Upper Canada Village, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (three action-packed days showcasing natural horsemanship techniques, riding, driving and working horses. Tickets included in Village admission)
• Live Entertainment at the Market – The Log Farm, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Spencer Scharf will be back at the market providing musical entertainment while you shop/visit the farm)
• National Capital Car Show – Wesley Clover Parks, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (hundreds of cars, contests, activities and vendors, admission is $5, kids 12 and under are free)
• Summer Family Mornings – National Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (free activities, games, musical guests and more, for children of all ages. )
• Ottawa Serbian Festival – 1989 Prince of Wales Dr, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (live music, balkan dance performances, sport competition, activities for kids, free admission)
• Labour Day at the Estate – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (swing dancers, tours, outdoor games and more)

Sunday:

• Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Ride – La Baie Park, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (colourful balloons, musical performances, yoga, amusement rides and more)
• Perth Fair – Perth Fairgrounds, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (amusement rides, canine all stars, food, demolition derby, live entertainment)
• Toddler Time at the Farm – The Log Farm, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (Bring your teddy bear and lunch out to the farm for a picnic. There will be unstructured bear themed activities around the farm. Join a group circle time where you and your bears can listen and participate in the classic ‘Going on a bear hunt.’ Circle time will take place near the pioneer farm house at 1:30pm)
• Horse Lovers Weekend – Upper Canada Village, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (three action-packed days showcasing natural horsemanship techniques, riding, driving and working horses. Tickets included in Village admission)
• Brockville Tall Ships Festival – Brockville waterfront, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Tall ships and other watercraft line the waterfront and the harbour while entertainment and vendors will be set up on land. Admission to the grounds is available with a $5 wristband)
• Labour Day at the Estate – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (swing dancers, tours, outdoor games and more)
• Ottawa Serbian Festival – 1989 Prince of Wales Dr, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (live music, balkan dance performances, sport competition, activities for kids, free admission)
• Latin Festival – Ottawa City Hall, 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm (delicious Latin American cuisine, dance, live music, cooking demos and parade at 1:00 pm)

Monday:

• Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Ride – La Baie Park, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (colourful balloons, musical performances, yoga, amusement rides and more)
• Perth Fair – Perth Fairgrounds, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (amusement rides, canine all stars, food, demolition derby, live entertainment)
• NOKIA Sunday Bikeday – Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway, Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, Colonel By Drive , 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (the final car free bike day for 2019)
• Labour Day at the Farm – The Log Farm, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (to celebrate the last day of summer the farm is giving out free ice cream cones and wagon rides will be running every 30 minutes)
• Horse Lovers Weekend – Upper Canada Village, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (three action-packed days showcasing natural horsemanship techniques, riding, driving and working horses. Tickets included in Village admission)
• Final Day of the Pterosaur Exhibit – Canadian Museum of Nature, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (final day of this fun exhibit about flying dinosaurs!)
• Final Day of Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit – Canadian Museum of Science and Technology, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (final day of temporary exhibit celebrating the genius of Da Vinci)
• Labour Day at the Estate – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (swing dancers, tours, outdoor games and more)
• Ottawa Serbian Festival – 1989 Prince of Wales Dr, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (live music, balkan dance performances, sport competition, activities for kids, free admission)