Labor Day festivities 2023

(Susan / stock.adobe.com)

There are holiday celebrations all over the Pikes Peak region this weekend, from the Monu-palooza music festival in Monument to the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo...

• Labor Day Lift Off, with its herd of hot air balloons and tons of food, drink and entertainment, is the biggest Labor Day fest hereabouts. It opens at 5 a.m. Saturday and runs through late morning on Monday. You’ll find all the deets at the website.

• Commonwheel’s Labor Day Art Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday with juried works for sale by artists and artisans; live music, food and prizes; and giant soap bubbles, balloon animals and art activities for the kids. Saturday-Monday, Sept. 2-4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; free; Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs. Check out the Quilt Showcase & Boutique by Piecing Partners Quilt Guild across the street at Memorial Hall.

• Monu-palooza is Monument’s “Labor Day Eve throwdown ... live music from the area’s best bands, food trucks and a sweet send-off to the Summer of ’23.” Sunday, Sept. 3, 12:30-8 p.m.; Limbach Park, 151 Front St.

• Fountain’s Blues & BBQ Fall Festival ticks all the boxes — pancake breakfast... parade... live music... chili cookoff... beer garden... farmers market... tractor pull. Monday, Sept. 4, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; various venues, but most events are at Metcalfe Park, 618 E. Ohio Ave., Fountain.

• Victor Celebrates the Arts, the week before the show, plein air painters from around the country chose subjects within a 10-mile radius of city hall. Show and sale Saturday-Monday, including a Quick Draw with live models and props for painters on Monday. Free; see the website for times and more info.

• Labor Day Vintage Baseball, the annual 1880s-style baseball match at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site — “no spittin’, no swearin’, and no gloves.” Monday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 3105 Gateway Road.

• Colorado State Fair runs through Labor Day, with its carnival, live music, demolition derby and 4-H events. Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo; head to the website to explore your options.

• The party’s almost over — Labor Day marks the end of the season for Colorado Springs’ spray grounds and fountains, including the Uncle Wilbur Fountain in Acacia Park, the Julie Penrose Fountain at America the Beautiful Park, and spraygrounds at Panorama Park, Deerfield Hills Community Center and John Venezia Park. The outdoor pool at Monument Valley Park may be open past Labor Day, depending on weather; check ppymca.org/schedules/pools for opening hours. The splash pad in Aga Park in Fountain will also close after Labor Day.