Labor Day is a different kind of holiday. It is not based on a religion. It does not deal with the remembrance of war or glory. It was not created to honor any individual. No, Labor Day was created to honor the hard work of the American worker and their struggles for fair pay and safe working environments. The holiday is well over 100 years old. Celebrated the first Monday in September, Labor Day has evolved from a purely labor union celebration into a general "last fling of summer" festival, just as Memorial Day in May has become the unofficial start of summer.

While many people will use the extra day off to take a short trip, others will celebrate closer to home with picnics, concerts and other events. Here are some of the top events celebrating Labor Day or simply scheduled for the weekend.

Alabama:

Featured Event:
Tuskegee Labor Day Fly-In - Tuskegee - http://www.alabama.travel/events/tuskegee_labor_day_fly-in_-_web_submission
There has been a lot of interest in the famous Tuskegee Airmen since the release of the movie "Redtails" earlier this year. This new Annual Labor Day Fly-In is a new event sponsored by the Black Pilots of America. It will be open to the public and hosts original WWII Tuskegee Airmen, fly-overs, vintage aircraft, special park programs, military and civilian aircraft displays, food and gift vendors, and great fun. (http://www.nps.gov/tuai/index.htm)

Other Great Events:

• 41st Annual St. William Seafood Festival - St. William - http://www.stwilliamchurch.com/seafood_festival
  Try the gumbo!
  
• Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert at Lake Martin Amphitheater - Alexander City - http://www.lmat.org/labor-day.html
  Gates open 4:30pm - Show starts 6:00pm - More info to come
  
• 7th Annual Alabama Butterbean Festival - Pinson - http://alabamabutterbeanfestival.com/
  Friday Night Fireworks Show and 14 hours of on stage entertainment on Saturday
  
• Battle for Decatur - Decatur - http://www.decaturcvb.org/events/annual-events/item/the-battle-for-decatur?category_id=42
  Commemorating Decatur’s 4-day battle in October 1864
  
• Cars By the Creek and Catfish Festival - Montevallo - http://www.alabama.travel/events/cars_by_the_creek_-_web_submission
  Prizes for top 20 cars, top 10 trucks and for child catching the most fish
  
• Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz festival - Birmingham - http://www.justataste.org/fr_home.cfm
  1st class entertainment, food vendors, children's village and art exhibits with headliner, Euge Groove
  
• 3rd Annual peanut Boil Festival - Luverne - http://www.crenshawcochamber.com/peanutboil/
  Music, children’s activities, beauty pageant, 5K run, and car show
  
• Old Russell County Labor Day Fair - Seale - https://www.facebook.com/events/205449346163273/
  Music, games, barbeque, artifacts & fossils, arts & crafts, antiques and much more
  

Georgia:

Featured Event:
Dragon Con - Atlanta - http://www.dragoncon.org/
The 26th annual Gragon-Con will be the "largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe!" It will feature over 3,500 hours of panels, workshops, and contests from over thirty-five different fandoms. This is the ideal weekend getaway for a geek like me.

Other Great Events:

• 7th Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival - Decatur - http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2012/index.php
  Over three hundred best-selling authors and a vibrant street fair
  
• Celebrate Freedom Atlanta - Atlanta - http://www.celebratefreedomatlanta.com/
  Largest free One day concert in Atlanta
  
• Marietta Art in the Park - Marietta - http://www.artparkmarietta.com/
  26 year old festival featuring artist market, children’s art alley and the famous Painted Pots
  
• Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, Callaway gardens - Robin Lake Beach - http://www.callawaygardens.com/info/calendar/calendar.sky_high_hot_air_balloon.event.aspx
  Balloon launches, entertainment, family activities, exhibits and music
  
• River Street Labor Day Festival - Savannah - http://riverstreetsavannah.com/events/
  Arts & Crafts, live entertainment and dancing fun for everyone
  

South Carolina:

Featured Event:
4th Annual Lowcountry Jazz festival - North Charleston - http://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/the-4th-annual-low-country-jazz-festival
Some of the top contemporary instrumentalists of the jazz world will perform during this three day event. Just a few of the artists scheduled to perform include David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Norman Brown, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws and Alex Bugnon.

Other Great Events:

• BBQ and Bluegrass Festival - Mount Pleasant - http://boonehallplantation.com/2011-pigglywiggly-bbq-bluegrass.php
  Headliners include "The Queen of Bluegrass," Rhonda Vincent and "The King Of Newgrass," Sam Bush
  
• 7th Annual Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival - Myrtle Beach - http://www.grandstrandevents.com/BeachBoogieBBQ/default.html
  Includes the Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off
  
• Celebrity Golf Tournament - Hilton head - http://www.hhcelebritygolf.com/
  Since 1979, this event has raised more than $3.8M for well-deserving children’s charities of the South Carolina Lowcountry
  
• Upper South Carolina State Fair - Easley - http://upperscstatefair.com/
  Includes something for everyone