Labor Day culture: Bumbershoot, cosplay, livestock and more

August 30, 2019 / 11:57 am

caption: A scene from the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, Washington in 20104.

Labor Day weekend has arrived, and with it a slew of late-summer festivals.

When the U.S. government made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894, the intent was both to celebrate American workers and to distance the country from international May Day celebrations, seen by some as too closely tied to radical political movements. Now the holiday marks the end of summer vacation for students and teachers, autumn’s approach, and for many of us, a last chance to party with friends and family.

In Seattle, for more than 40 years, Labor Day weekend has been synonymous with the annual Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival at Seattle Center. This year Bumbershoot is back, featuring such music headliners as Carly Rae Jepson, and Tyler the Creator, along with a full schedule of comedians, films, and expanded visual and non-musical arts, including Tariqa Waters presenting arts from her Martyr Sauce gallery. R and B sensation Lizzo was supposed to headline the opening night mainstage, but pulled out at the last minute due to illness.

Bumbershoot is just one of several big regional events in full swing over the Labor Day weekend.

If online and video gaming is your thing, the annual PAX West convention is likely already on your radar. The convention runs Friday through Monday at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle, and features everything: panel conversations, vendor displays and an arena-style competition, plus informal cosplay. Limited ticket availability on Monday only.

Monroe’s Evergreen State Fair offers one last weekend of music, rides and other activities. In Puyallup, the Washington State Fair (formerly the Puyallup Fair) opens its doors Friday with a full weekend, including an all-breed dog show, arts and crafts, and the fair’s famous scones. Opening weekend admission is free for children 18 and under.

The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium offers up an “End of Summer Blast”. Organizers promise special activities and "icy treats" for humans and other animals. The Blast runs Saturday through Monday.