What to do over Labor Day weekend: Fireworks, baseball, hot air balloons

Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sept.2-4

This annual event takes flight at Tymor Park in Unionvale. Bring your blankets and chairs to watch hot-air balloons ascend from the designated picnic area. Reservations can be made on a per person basis for a donation of $15 for evening launches and $8 for mornings. A reservation must be made in advance as donations will not be accepted at the gate. Donation is non-refundable and non-transferable. As always, balloon inflations are at the sole discretion of the pilot, and is dependent on ideal wind and weather conditions. Hot air balloons may not inflate or fly - especially if the wind and weather is not safe for ballooning. To find out more go to www.dcrcoc.org.

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Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods, Sept. 4, 11, 18, & 25; Oct. 2

For six Sundays in a row, Bethel Woods Center of the Arts will host the 24th annual Harvest festival. Visitors will be able to purchase the offerings of local farms and artisans as well as specialty foods. There will also be live entertainment and food trucks to enjoy. There is no admission fee, but there is a $5 parking fee. The festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Road, Bethel; bethelwoodscenter.org/ events/the-24th-annual-harvest- festival-bethel-woods.

'Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver' Sept. 2-11

A musical adaption that uses the songs of the late singer and songwriter John Denver. The songs are introduced through a background of stories of Denver’s life from the early 1960’s until his tragic death in a plane crash in 1997. Bringing Denver’s story to life is a cast of six talented performers, all a part of Actors Equity Association. Shows Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Shadowland Stages, 157 Canal St., Ellenville, 845) 647-5511; shadowlandstages.org

Hudson Valley Wine & Music Fest, Sept. 3

This one day event will bring a variety of food, wine and music to Newburgh's Waterfront Trail. Artists performing throughout the day include Funk Junkies, Westmob Band, Jimmy Jorge & The Latin Express, Bria The Artist's and BaseCamp. The festival is from noon to 6 p.m., with the doors opening at 11 a.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Waterfront Trail, 1 Washington St., Newburgh; hudsonvalleyfest.com.

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Hudson Valley Renegades, Sept. 2-4

The Renegades are home over Labor Day weekend against The Jersey Shore, with fireworks scheduled after game on Sept. 2; the last home game is Sept. 4. For tickets, go to milb.com/hudson-valley. The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls.

Head to SplashDown Beach, Sept. 2-5

This Dutchess waterpark, with its wave pool, waterslides and more is open through Labor Day only. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 16 Old Route 9W, Fishkill. Visit splashdownbeach.com/calendar for more information

Boscobel’s Chamber Music series, Sept. 3-11

Boscobel House and Gardens has partnered with the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach to launch this chamber music festival. Over the course of nine days, festival will present five performances by the most sought after chamber musicians in the country along with wide-ranging educational offerings on Boscobel’s historic site. The festival’s international roster of artists include violinists Jennifer Frautschi and Stella Chen, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, cellists David Requiro and Nicholas Canellakis, double bassist Blake Hinson, pianist Gloria Chien, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, and the Emerson String Quartet. Tickets are $45-$85. Performances will be held on Boscobel’s Great Lawn or the West Lawn Pavilion which features a new tent. Boscobel is located at 1601 Route 9D, Garrison. For tickets and more info, go to boscobel.org.

New York Renaissance Faire, thru Oct. 9

You’ll be transported to 16th-century Elizabethan England for a day at the annual theatrical event in Sterling Forest. Both the young and the young at heart will find plenty of activities including rides, 16th-century games, stage shows, arts, crafts, food, vendors, music and dance, and for cosplay aficionados, the sights of knights, dames, royal pipers and pirates will not disappoint. Tickets: $18-$35; a season pass is $225. For a complete schedule of events and additional details, visit renfair.com. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo Park.

OCFS Burnout Nationals, Sept. 2, Sept. 24, Oct. 8

This events is held at the Orange County Fairgrounds, 239 Wisner Ave., Middletown, gates open at 5 p.m., $10 pit fee for monthly qualifying rounds, monthly trophies for best burnout in both classes (car/truck and motorcycle), $150 entry fee at the Nationals for car/truck with 2 qualifiers; $100 entry fee for motorcycles with 2 qualifiers. Burnoutnationals.com.

4th Annual Gabriel P. Hayes Memorial Ride: Sept. 3

Police escorted, scenic motorcycle ride followed by a buffet meal, raffles, 50/50 raffle, support gear, and music by Heavy Gauge. The Steel Horse Chapter - Punishers LEMC will follow all COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Disinfection stations with hand sanitizers and face masks will be available. Rain date Sept. 17, Bowdoin Park, Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls, registration 10-11 a.m.; kickstands up at 11:30 a.m., $35 rider and $20 passenger, pre-registration will end Sept. 2 at 11:30 p.m., pre-registration information on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Need plans for the holiday weekend? What to do in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster