HOW IT GOT STARTED
The Holiday at Home festival originally began on Labor Day, 1959, under the sponsorship of the Kettering YMCA. The event was founded to provide other Kettering residents with a reason to enjoy the holiday in their hometown.
Back then, there were a lot of car accidents and deaths over Labor Day weekend because so many people were traveling, according to Jordan Wyant, former Holiday at Home president.
The founders of Holiday at Home created the festival with the intention of keeping their community members safe, while also providing an opportunity to have fun. The festival was so successful that it eventually outgrew the YMCA and has since been adopted by individuals in the city of Kettering.
Holiday at Home features multiple stages of live entertainment as well as more than 150 artisans from all over the country, and so much more.
Here are 5 reasons to stay home this Labor Day weekend:
1.) SHOPPING
Holiday at Home confirmed more than 100 arts and craft vendors have set up shop Sunday and Monday at the government center and into Lincoln Park Civic Commons from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..
Insider tip: head to the Fraze around 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday. If you don't mind missing the parade, you'll get to beat the crowds and have a somewhat personal shopping experience.
2.) CAR SHOWS
There will be car shows on Sunday and Monday, featuring unique and vintage vehicles. The entertainment continues with the Annual Invitational Auto Show on Monday, (Labor Day) from noon to 5 p.m.
3.) BIG LABOR DAY PARADE
Organizers promise a mix of both new groups and old favorites for what is one of the largest parades in the Dayton area this year. As many as 100,000 spectators have come out to see this feature in the past. The parade flows north on Far Hills Avenue starting at Stroop Road and ending just before Dorothy Lane making the parade route just under a mile.
Set your alarms, because the parade begins at 9:55 a.m. on Labor Day.
Credit: Staff photo by Michael Franz
Credit: Staff photo by Michael Franz
4.) HOLIDAY AT HOME 5K FOR ALL AGES — WITH PANCAKES
The annual 5K run takes place before the parade on Monday morning at 8 a.m. A free quarter-mile Kids Fun Run takes place 15 minutes before the 5K.
Up to 500 runners will jog through the parade route and other areas of Kettering, before enjoying a complimentary pancake breakfast. Cost is $35.
You can register to participate here. We know you're only in it for the pancakes.
5.) KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
The kid’s area will be sure to keep your little ones occupied all day long. They’ll have everything from face painting to inflatable bounce houses.
For an extra special experience, take your kids by the interactive arts and crafts booths so they can make their own creations.
Credit: Staff photo by Michael Franz
Credit: Staff photo by Michael Franz
Want to go?
WHAT: Holiday at Home
WHEN: Continues through Monday, Sept. 2
WHERE: Various locations around Kettering
COST: Free