| Labor Day weekend in Austin this year promises | | | | Day weekend in the Austin area is the 7th annual |
| every imaginable kind of activity, with something | | | | Labor Day Cup, which is a soccer tournament for |
| for everyone, young and old, in the works. Some | | | | children which serves as a kind of practice for the |
| choices for end of summer fun locally include | | | | coming season, and this event is being sponsored |
| Texas Longhorn events, the Austin Bat Fest, and | | | | by Nike this year and promises fun for all. The |
| a day of yoga, among other celebrations. If | | | | games are being played at fields throughout the |
| you're a sports fan, the Texas Longhorns are | | | | Austin area and the tournament is being organized |
| playing a home game the Saturday before Labor | | | | by the Lonestar Soccer Club. In addition to the |
| Day, and the game will be held in Darrel K. Royal | | | | soccer tournament, a tennis tournament is also |
| Memorial Stadium, as usual. | | | | being held over Labor Day weekend in the Austin |
| The beginning of Longhorn football season in | | | | area, and those interested in participating may |
| Austin is always a day filled with excitement and | | | | sign up online for both the soccer tournament and |
| anticipation, and this year is no different from any | | | | the tennis tournament, which is affiliated with the |
| other, so get out your burnt orange and white | | | | U.S. Tennis Association. |
| clothing and head to the U.T. campus for a day of | | | | A free day of Yoga is being held again this year |
| competition and rivalry. | | | | on Labor Day too, as it has been since 1999, and |
| Another popular event is being organized for its | | | | this event is the perfect opportunity to learn the |
| fourth year this year, the 4th Annual Austin Bat | | | | different styles of yoga as well as become |
| Fest, which will be held on and around the Ann | | | | familiar with different teachers and studios, at an |
| Richards Bridge Saturday and Sunday prior to | | | | inviting price: free! The classes are being held at |
| Labor Day. This event promises various activities, | | | | studios across town, and some individual studios |
| musical performances, a diverse choice of food | | | | are offering food and drinks after the classes as |
| and drink, and many other family-oriented arts, | | | | well, and participants are invited to stay, relax and |
| crafts, educational displays, and other bat-related | | | | enjoy the day. |
| festivities. | | | | Many water-related parties are also on tap, and |
| The estimated attendance for BatFest is about | | | | one of these events is the Splash Days event |
| 40,000 spectators and participants, so come early | | | | which celebrates the gay community and includes |
| to see and hear thirty different musical acts | | | | an "adult swim" party with D.J.s and a dance. |
| perform on two different stages and watch as | | | | Some of the related activities will be held at a |
| over 1.5 million Mexican free tail bats soar over | | | | downtown hotel and a schedule is available online |
| the clear waters of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin | | | | for this event too. |
| skyline. This event partially supports the bats and | | | | There are many other smaller events being held, |
| their colony under the downtown bridge and | | | | and many celebrations on and around Lake Travis |
| admittance is just $5.00, so come out and see | | | | as well as Lake Austin, with cookouts being |
| what all is being offered at the 150 different | | | | planned in local parks and other facilities. However, |
| booths which will be set up in the festival area, on | | | | it is important to remember that motorized water |
| the Congress Avenue Bridge, which was recently | | | | c rafts are prohibited on some area lakes during |
| renamed to honor former Texas Governor Ann | | | | the holiday, and the waters of Lake Travis are |
| Richards. | | | | very low this year, so boaters are being advised |
| While there, you can sample the different cuisines | | | | to use caution when boating in area lakes at this |
| or enjoy shopping among the numerous offerings | | | | time. There are many other choices of activities |
| of stained glass, pottery, art objects, | | | | in the Austin area, and since the Labor Day |
| photography, jewelry, fine art, and other eclectic | | | | weekend marks the end of the lazy days of |
| goods being sold at the festival. The event will | | | | summer and a return to school for the kids, use |
| remain open until midnight Saturday night and ten | | | | your time wisely and enjoy the day relaxing, |
| p.m. Sunday night, so there will be plenty of time | | | | celebrating, and having fun, since you won't get |
| to shop and celebrate during this event. | | | | another chance until next year! |
| Another sporting event being held over the Labor | | | | |