The final holiday weekend of the summer has arrived and there’s plenty going on throughout Chautauqua County, including here in Jamestown.

On Sunday, the 37th annual Jamestown Labor Day Celebration will take place at Bergman Park to honor the area’s labor force. The event is free and open to the public with a variety of food, entertainment, and other attractions taking place from noon to 9 p.m.

“This is to celebrate what we feel is the miracle of hard work and the greatest labor force that you’re going to find anywhere in the country, starting with the good folks who work for the city of Jamestown,” Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi explained during this week’s Community Matters program on WRFA. “The origins go back to 1979 when city officials decided to create a major festival for the community, on Labor Day, to make it a safe, non-travel holiday weekend and give everyone an opportunity to come together and celebrate the meaning of the holiday.”

In addition to live music featuring eight different acts including the Bogarts, Two for Flinching, and We Speak Canadian, there will also be a professional wrestling event – The Bergman Brawl – presented by Southern Tier Wrestling. The bouts will take place on the Babe Ruth Baseball Field from 1 to 3 p.m.

At 4 p.m. the Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present Joe Sweeny with the George Ritzer award. Mary Ellen Decker will be accepting the award on Sweeny’s behalf.

And while the event is free, there is a $5 fee for parking. But anyone parking their car at Bergman Park will receive a $5 raffle ticket for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift card sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric. There will also be two chances to win a season ticket for the Jamestown Jammers.

The day will culminate with a fireworks extravaganza by Zambelli Fireworks International, slated to light up the sky at 8:30 p.m.

For local fitness enthusiasts,  Chautauqua Striders will hold the annual Dan Feather Memorial 5k Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m.

For more information on all events and attractions at the city’s labor day festival, go online to Jamestownny.net.

The fifth annual WRFA Great American Picnic is set to take place at Southern Tier Brewing Co. with a theme of Music from the American South. Hosted by Ken Hardley of Rolling Hills Radio, the event will feature three hours of live music running from noon to 3 p.m.

Performers include:

• John Merino (Noon-12:20)
• Bill Ward (12:25-12:45)
• Bumpy Peterson (12:50-1:10)
• The Short Bus (1:15-1:35)
• Elektra Kings (1:40-2:00)
• Bogarts (2:05-2:25)
• Cindy Love and Ken Hardley and the Moose Club (2:30-2:50)

The performances will also be recorded and broadcast on WRFA in the coming weeks.

There is no cost to attend. Instead, a portion of all proceeds collected by Southern Tier Brewing Co. between Noon and 3 p.m. will go directly toward WRFA.

The WRFA advisory board will also be on hand selling hot dogs, WRFA T-Shirts, and 50/50 tickets. Donations will also be accepted. All ages are welcome.

It’s the Great American Picnic: Songs from the American South – happening this Sunday, June 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Southern Tier Brewing Co.

The Active Artists Alliance (AAAlliance) will once again present Third Thursday at the Wintergarden Plaza (located on N. Main St. between Third and Fourth Streets) starting Thursday, May 19. The free outdoor concert series, which begins its fifth year, will feature live music from local favorites The Bogarts along with opening act Pine Fever (Buffalo, NY). The concerts typically run between 6 and 9 p.m.

AAAlliance founder and spokesman Bill Thomas says Third Thursday was designed to be a free, all ages community arts event and concert series for the community. He says that a few local AAAlliance members will be bringing their easels and paints out to the plaza and working on their paintings and other creations.

“Any interested local artists or crafty folks should feel free to bring their materials down to the plaza, to work and network with the other artists, or just to show off what you have been doing lately,” Thomas says, adding that for the sake of public relations and the health of all who attend, participating artists are reminded not to use spray paint while showcasing their talents.

Thomas says that as usual, thirsty patrons can also enjoy a beer during the event on the Wine Cellar’s new patio, which will have a perfect view of the bands and artists. He adds that an after party show will take place at Mojo’s with an additional performance by Pine Fever.

Sponsors for the 2016 Third Thursday concert series include Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce, the BioDome Project, and Jamestown Skate Products.

Listeners can hear more about the Third Thursday Concert Series along with other events planned by the Active Artists Alliance during WRFA’s Wednesday edition of the Local Rush Hour at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Ice Arena’s Big City concert series continues tonight with music from the Bogarts. Jamestown original Alt-Country band will play on the Big City Stage tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. on the outside patio of the Arena.  The show is free to the public and open to all ages.

The event, known as Third Thursday, will feature local AAAlliance members bringing their easels and paints out to the plaza and working on their paintings and other creations. Any interested local artists or crafty folks should feel free to bring their materials down to the plaza, to work and network with the other artists, or just to show off what you have been doing lately.

Pulse Community Drumming will be organizing a drum circle from 6-7pm, followed by live music from The Bogarts and one more band TBA from 7-9 p.m.

Tonight’s show is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and it is on a first-come first-serve basis. Guests are asked to be seated by no later than 6:45 p.m.