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Labor Day weekend starts Friday. Here’s what’s open, closed and a travel forecast

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Labor Day weekend starts Friday. Here’s what’s open, closed and a travel forecast

Labor Day is Monday, which means a three-day weekend for many and plenty of Labor Day sales.

This will be the last three-day weekend of summer, which means we’ll say hello to fall soon.

The United States has celebrated Labor Day since the late 19th century. It was originally promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor with a parade in New York dubbed the Labor Day Parade.

Top Labor Day destinations: Destin, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach named top Labor Day destinations

Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. Here’s what to know about the holiday.

When is Labor Day 2024?

Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September. In 2024, Labor Day falls on Sept. 2.

What is Labor Day? Why do we celebrate? See the holiday’s history

Labor Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of American workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being. Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades, picnics and parties.

In the proposal for a national holiday, it was suggested the day should be observed with a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

There is some debate over who the original founder of the holiday was, but the U.S. Labor Department points to two possible names: Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire.

McGuire, who was the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, is recorded in some 1882 historical documents suggesting a “general holiday for the laboring classes.”

In recent years, research has emerged pointing to Matthew Maguire, the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Patterson, New Jersey, as the holiday’s true founder.

Both men reportedly attended the nation’s first Labor Day Parade in New York City. Regardless of origin, the day’s intent remains to celebrate the hard-working people who make the country run every day.

What is open or closed on Labor Day in Florida?

Labor Day is a federal holiday, which means government offices, including the U.S. Post Office, will be closed. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq stock market, schools, and Costco will be closed.

So, what’s open for Labor Day? Just about everything else. You’ll find most retail stores, grocery chains, movie theaters, restaurants and small/local businesses open. National Parks will be open, too.

Labor Day weekend travel forecast

Labor Day is one of the busiest times to travel each year. Domestic travel is up 9% compared to last year while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%, according to AAA.

Top Labor Day destinations this year include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco.

International travel is down, however, driven in part due to the 11% rise in international travel costs.

Here’s a look at travel costs this Labor Day:

  • Domestic airfares are 2% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
  • International flights are 8% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
  • Domestic hotels are 7% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
  • International hotels are 2% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
  • Domestic car rentals are 16% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
  • International car rentals are 21% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.

Gas in Florida will be the cheapest in three years this Labor Day

If you’re planning a last-minute Labor Day trip, a road trip might not be a bad idea. Florida gas prices on Sunday averaged $3.29, which is the lowest daily average price in two months and the cheapest Floridians have seen gas on Labor Day in three years.

In 2023, the average cost of gas was $3.68 and $3.52 in 2022, according to AAA. Gas prices in 2021 were a fair bit cheaper, however, at $3.02.

  • Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.45), Gainesville ($3.37), Naples ($3.37)
  • Least expensive metro markets – Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.02), Pensacola ($3.06), Panama City ($3.06)
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