Where to go.  What to do.  What to see.  Everything you need to know while you are on The Monterey Peninsula during the month of September.

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Plan a Labor Day Party

Labor Day weekend is the last big holiday of the summer and is a popular weekend for cookouts, weekend getaways and pool parties. To celebrate these last few days of summer, start planning a Labor Day party for your friends, family and neighbors. Follow these five easy tips for planning a Labor Day party and ensure your final summer bash is a hit.

Tip 1: Send a Save the Date

Labor Day is always a busy weekend that fills up with events quickly, so send out save the dates to your entire guest list 4-6 weeks before the party. This will ensure that your event will get on calendars before they accept invitations to other Labor Day events.

Tip 2: Pick a Theme

Labor Day is about celebrating patriotism and having a theme can help highlight all things American. Make sure to include the theme in your invitations so that your guests will have time to put together a festive outfit. Here are some perfect Labor Day party theme ideas:

Whiteout themed party: For those of you who are unaware of the Labor Day white rule, it goes like this: you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Some people believe that this rule applies primarily to white shoes and others believe that all white items are a faux pas after Labor Day. A lot of people ignore the rule completely. Wherever you fall in the "no white after Labor Day" spectrum, a Whiteout party is a great way to poke a little fun at "the rules" Ask your guests to wear as much white as possible and have fun with this party theme yourself. Incorporate white into your decorations and party menu, too!

Red, White, and Blue party: Incorporate the colors of the flag and ask everyone to wear red, white, and blue. Use the theme in your decorations as well by having American flags, stars and stripes, and the colors (red, white, and blue) displayed throughout the party space.

Tip 3: Build Your Menu

Labor Day is the last "unofficial" weekend of summer and may be the last time you'll have an opportunity to bbq before the busy fall season begins. Take full advantage of your Labor Day party to serve lots of grilled dishes. Some great ideas for your Labor Day party menu include:

Grilled chicken/vegetable kabobs

Rib-eye steaks

Hamburgers/cheese burgers

Coleslaw

Tomato, mozzarella and basil skewers

Mixed fruit salad

Make-your-own ice cream sundaes

Seasonal fresh fruit pies

Tip 4: Decorate for the Occasion

Display fun, festive and casual decorations for Labor Day parties. Use the colors scheme red, white, and blue as a guideline for party accessories, streamers, balloons, plates, cups, etc. Aside from focusing on the American aspect of the holiday also tie in some classic BBQ/picnic décor such as rustic centerpieces filled with seasonal flowers and classic picnic table covers over each tabletop. Finalize you decorations with lighting to create ambiance. Paper lanterns or tiki torchlights are the perfect for any outdoor party.

Tip 5: Plan Activities for Guests

If you're planning a more casual backyard cookout to celebrate Labor Day, opt for team games like volleyball, tag football or tug of war. If you're planning an elegant evening party, hire a local musician to provide the entertainment. The music may even encourage guests to dance the night away under the stars. If there will be kids at the party, plan some activities for them. Plan to roast s'mores, give them jars to catch fireflies, or set up an arts and crafts table with summer craft ideas like colored sand jars or friendship bracelets.

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Events

Hooray for Hollywood
September 1-3, 2017
7:30pm, 2:00pm
Golden Bough Theatre
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel Photowalk
September 2, 2017
5:00pm-8:00pm
San Carlos at 9th Avenue at Sunset Center
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Monterey Bay Greek Festival
September 2-4, 2017
Custom House Plaza
Monterey

Festa Italia
September 8-10, 2017
3:00pm, 10:00am
Custom House Plaza
Downtown Monterey

Carmel Art Walk
September 9, 2017
5:00pm-8:00pm
Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea

Monterey Jazz Festival
September 15-17, 2017
6:30pm, 11:30am
Monterey County Fairgrounds

57th Annual Sandcastle Contest
September 16, 2017
8:00am-2:00pm
Carmel Beach

Pure Insurance Championship
September 18-24, 2017
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Poppy Hills Golf Course
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix
September 21-24, 2017
Maza Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey

Monterey Beach Sportsfest
September 23-24, 2017
Del Monte Beach
Monterey

Cyrano
September 29-October 15, 2017
7:30pm
Outdoor Forest Theater
Carmel-by-the-Sea

California International Airshow
September 30-October 1, 2017
11:00am
Salinas Municipal Airport

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Farmer's Markets

Monday
Pacific Grove Certified Farmers' Market
3pm - 7pm, 3pm - 6pm (winter)
Grand Avenue and Central Avenue

Tuesday
Old Monterey Marketplace
4pm - 8pm (summer),
4pm - 7pm (winter)
Alvarado Street and W Franklin Street

Thursday
Carmel-by-the-Sea Certified Farmers' Market
10am - 2pm
6th Street and Mission Street
Soledad Farmers' Market
4pm - 8pm (May - December)
Encinal Street

Friday
Monterey Peninsula College Certified Farmers' Market
10am - 2pm
Monterey Peninsula College
930 Fremont St.
Carmel Valley Community Center
2:30-6:00pm

Saturday
Downtown Salinas Saturday Certified Farmers' Market
9am - 2pm
Gabilan Street between Main and Salinas Streets

Sunday
Marina Everyone's Harvest Certified Farmers' Market
10am - 2pm
215 Reservation Road

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