The kids just started school, football season kicks off tomorrow, and we saw temperatures drop 10º this week. Whether we like it or not, fall is upon us and what better way to celebrate than a three-day vacation (a.k.a Labor Day weekend)? Here’s how to make the best of it.

FRIDAY

#MustDo: Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays presented by Pepsi | Noma Square | Soul Kitchen | 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

#Art: Open Reception for Mel Hammonds | Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville | 6 – 8 p.m. | Love dogs? Drop in to check out photography by September's featured artist, who specializes in pet portraits.

First Fridays | The Village of West Greenville | 6 – 9 p.m. | Come out and support local artists + see their current exhibits after work. See participating studios here.

#Listen: Strange Avenues | The Velo Fellow | 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Soulful rock band performing music from their debut record.

The Winter Sounds + three others | Radio Room | 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

#Celebrate: SC Football Kickoff Party | The Blindhorse Saloon | 6 – 10 p.m. | Celebrate the start of the football season with live music by country artists Canaan Smith and Joe Lasher Jr.

SATURDAY

#CollegeFootball

🏈 #5 Clemson vs. Kent State | 12:00 p.m. | Clemson Memorial Stadium | New quarterback, new season, same expectations. Don’t party too hard tonight Tiger fans, you’ve got an early morning.

🏈 UofSC vs. N.C. State | 3:00 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte, NC | NFL style tailgate (Bojangles anyone?), big city bars, and an ACC/SEC matchup. Sounds like a nice little Saturday for those heading up to CLT. P.s. Flight is hosting a pep rally tonight starting at 4 p.m. which will have cocky, USC cheerleaders and famous alumni attending.

🏈 Furman vs. Wofford | 6:00 p.m. | Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg | If you’re not a fan of Clemson or UofSC, you might as well root for one of our Upstate teams. They go head to head on Saturday night.

🏈 Other notable Saturday games include: #11 Michigan vs. #17 Florida @ 3:30 p.m. | #3 Florida State. Vs. #1 Alabama @ 8:00 p.m.

And as you know, game day isn’t really game day without some awesome tailgate food 🍗 . Here are some recipes you can try to kick off opening weekend the right way. Your belly will thank you later.

But, football isn't for everyone and for those who won’t be glued to a tv or watching a game live, here are some other noteworthy options happening around town.

#Drink: Birds Fly South is turning 1 on Saturday and they’re having a huge party to celebrate | Hampton Station | 1 – 9 p.m. | Guest breweries + TimTV and the Secret Circus will be there (firebreathing anyone?)

Rose All Day | The Community Tap | 1 – 2:30 p.m. | Taste six different rose wines. $20 + call ahead to reserve your spot.

#ForKids: Wellness Weekend | The Children’s Museum of the Upstate | Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. + 2 – 3 p.m. | They’ll be teaching kids about healthy living and exercise and offering healthy snacks + children’s yoga, herb planting and brain health information.

#Family: Dacusville Farm Show | 3147 Earls Bridge Rd., Easley | Sat. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | They’ll have antique tractors, classic cars, hayrides, food + crafts, and a kid zone.

#RoadTrip: 71st North Carolina Apple Festival | Downtown Hendersonville NC | All weekend 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

#Community: TD Saturday Market presented by GHS | Main Street | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Plus, check out the TR Farmer’s Market + the Easley Farmer's Market.

#Cause: RockerBelles Presents: Strongmen of The Carolina's Calendar Reveal and Signing | Upstate Craft Beer Co | 3 – 7 p.m. | This is a fundraiser for Gary Piotrowsk. He’s is 1 of 3 athletes representing the U.S. in the Strongman Championship League Worlds Competition in Finland.

#ForKids: Upstate First Lego League Hydro Dynamics Kick-Off celebration | AJ Whittenburg Elementary school of Engineering | Saturday | 9 – 11 a.m. | Members of Greenville Water, ReWa, and the City’s stormwater runoff project will be on site to take kids through interactive activities.

#Listen: Al Watson | Joe’s Place Bookstore | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Fun fact: Al is a local musician who studied music at Furman.

Mike Frost Band (jazz) | Rainers Cafe | 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. | $10 cover
Redleg Husky (country) | Velo Fellow | 9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Haphazard (60’s - current day rock covers) | Sharkey’s Pub | 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

#Laugh: The shogun showdown comedy event | The Ninjaplex | 8 – 10 p.m. | Come hear 5+ local comedians. $7 cover or 2 tickets for $10.

SUNDAY + MONDAY

#Listen: Groovin’ in the Park | Barnet Park, Spartanburg | Sunday, 4 – 10:30 p.m. | They’ll have food, drinks + a splash fountain on site for the kids. Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket.

#ForKids: Family Fun Day | Upcountry History Museum | Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m. | Kids will get the chance to help Curious George with building activities and even learn some “tools of the trade” with local carpenter, Jeff Ridgeway. This is the last family fun day with George.

#Eat: 4th Annual Bacon Labor Day | Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest | Sun. 12 – 8 p.m., + Mon. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | A bacon-themed festival that also includes live music, beer, amusement rides, artisan and craft vendors, and a vintage car show. | $3

#Party: Labor Day Party | SIP | Monday, 4 – 10 p.m. | House music, beer, drinks + wine

#Laugh: Comedy night | Stone Pizza, 500 E Park Ave. | 8 – 9:30 p.m. | Kenneth E. Hughes will be providing the comic relief for the night

#Listen: Artifas with the Zealots | Radio Room | Sunday, 7 – 10 p.m.

#ForLadies: Ladies night out with Ginuwine (yup, like the real Ginuwine) + Avant Music | Sky Lounge | Sunday, 9 p.m. | $25

#Play: COPA Labor Day Tournament | COPA Indoor Soccer, 3044 White Horse Rd. | Monday, 5 – 11 p.m. | Double elimination tournament (minimum of 5 players per team). $10 per player to enter + winning team gets $200 | Email info@copaindoorsoccer.com to enter.

Of course, we always have you covered with

⛰ hiking spots

❤ fun date night ideas, and a

🚘 road trip guide for those who aren’t afraid to make last minute plans.
And in the spirit of the first day of September, here are 30+ things to do this month in Greenville via Kidding Around Greenville.

Labor Day is all about giving hard working Americans a needed day off. We hope that you’ll have a chance to watch your favorite team take home their first win of the season while spending time with those that mean the most to you.

Have fun, go Rebels (had to sneak that in there 😏), and most of all - take it easy Greenville.

– Logan

Want to see your event in our newsletter? Head over to the Events Page and let us help you spread the word.