Labor Day: Goodbye summer

The end of summer is not what it used to be.

Churchill County schools have been in session for two weeks, Fallon played its rival football game with Fernley at the beginning of the season rather than at the end and people don’t seem too willing to travel far distances.

AAA Travel projects more than 35 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Compared to Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July, AAA said the Labor Day weekend, which signals the end of summer. is the least-traveled holiday period of the year.

If you do travel outside the area, the Nevada Highway Patrol has this warning: “For those who are planning on consuming alcohol, please plan your activities safely by designating a safe and sober driver in advance. Other safety considerations include utilizing public transportation, staying home or at a hotel or resort, or simply refraining from alcohol altogether.

For people using the area lakes such as Lahontan, Pyramid, Tahoe and Topaz — along with Rye Patch — know your limitations and be careful while in the water.

Most of all, however, have fun this weekend and enjoy the beautiful Nevada weather.

With that said, stay safe, don’t venture more than the 50 miles and stay in the Lahontan Valley this weekend for the annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair at the Churchill County Fairgrounds; the Kiwanis breakfast and the Lions Club Labor Day parade that snakes its way through downtown Fallon.

The festival’s goal is to honor the Lahontan Valley for its contributions in agriculture, especially with the growing of the coveted golden cantaloupe that has gained a national reputation.

Although the festival has undergone many changes during the past quarter century, this year’s organizers — the Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair Organizing Committee — have been working diligently for the past year to make the Labor Day event a tribute to one of Churchill County’s top agricultural products. Festival-goers will be able to sample cantaloupe by the slice or by the glass.

Based on what we have seen with the planning and the scheduling and with the help of many sponsors, this year’s festival and country fair promises to be one of the best yet.

In addition to great musical groups and acts such as Love and Theft that play the first night, the fair features 4-H animals, the agricultural and homemaking exhibits and the Farmers Market, which has a varied assortment of cantaloupes, melons and other produce.

Labor Day also has a junior rodeo at the fairgrounds with the finals slated for Monday. Young cowboys and cowgirls will show their abilities in many different events.

In a political year, residents and guests will be able to mingle with our state’s politicians, some of whom are running for office this year, and the long-running Lions Club Labor Day parade will have floats, automobiles, politicians and much, much more.

LVN Editorials appear on Wednesdays.