Bummer: Summer is officially coming to a close. But before you dig out your football jerseys and scarves, take advantage of Labor Day - the last three-day weekend of the season.
1. Cheer on the Iowa Cubs
The Cubs play at home all weekend, taking on the Albuquerque Isotopes. Enjoy fireworks after Friday's game. 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1:05 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Tickets are $7-$25. Go to iowacubs.com for info.
2. Party at Saylorville Lake
Take your boat (or call up that old friend who has one) and head out to Saylorville Lake for a day on Party Cove. After spending the day in the sun, head to Latitude 41 for food, drinks and live music by the Back Street Boogie Band on Saturday night. Latitude 41, 6170 N.W. Polk City Drive, Polk City.
3. Stomp grapes, drink wine
Help Summerset Winery harvest their grapes Saturday. Cut grapes off the vine, then stomp them afterwards. A full day in the vineyard includes breakfast, lunch, a commemorative T-shirt, and of course, wine. Wear old clothes and bring pruning sheers and gardening gloves. 7:30 a.m. $25. Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax St., Indianola.
4. Get over your summer blues
... with the blues! The Heart of America Living History Blues Fest is Saturday and Sunday, featuring 12 bands on two stages. Bring your lawn chairs, but not your coolers: Food and drinks will be available. 3-10:30 p.m. daily. $15 per day. Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale.
5. Laugh with Ian Bagg
Comedian Ian Bagg has appeared on "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and a slew of others to talk about dating 18-year-olds, the difference between a tornado and a hurricane (it involves meth and a trailer) and MySpace molesters (remember the good old days, when molesters had to have vans?). See him Thursday through Sunday, at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $10-$15. The Funny Bone, 560 S. Prairie View Drive, Suite 100, West Des Moines. Go to funnybonedm.com for all show times.
6. Go to the races
Spend a couple days at the racetrack for the NASCAR Camping World Series. Friday, watch the NASCAR Camping World Series West races at 8 p.m., then stay for a concert by country singer Keith Anderson at 9:15 p.m. On Saturday, head to the track early for a pre-race concert by country star Luke Bryan at 7 p.m., then watch the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at 8:45 p.m. Spectator gates open at noon Saturday. Friday tickets are $20 and $25. Saturday tickets are $20-$60. Iowa Speedway, 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, Newton. Go to iowaspeedway.com.
7. Go on a cruise
Hop on the Jon Anderson White riverboat, an authentic stern-wheel paddle wheeler, for a sunset cruise on Saturday. Two cruises will set sail at 5 and 7 p.m. from the Port of Des Moines (near the Botanical Center). Each includes an hour and a half scenic tour of the river, live music, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. $25 per person. Call 883-2628 to make a reservation.
8. Watch someone get a black eye
Or their teeth knocked out, or their nose broken, at Midwest Cage Championship 22: Reality Check Saturday. This event will feature 13 bouts, including two fighters starring in MCC's reality show, "Making the Fighter," with Joe "The Hammer" Brammer taking on Chris "Mad Dog" Mickle, and Colby "The Alligator" Karadios battling Daraughn Canada. 7:30 p.m. $25-$50. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 833 Fifth Ave.
9. Party all night long
Dance the night away with DJ White Shadow and DJ Diverse at Liars Club's Neon Spaceship party on Sunday. Call ahead to reserve a VIP table and $99 bottles of Absolut vodka. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Liars Club, 216 Court Ave., second floor. You can also check out the White Party on Sunday, next door at Taft's. Since Labor Day is supposed to be the last day of the year to fashionably wear white, wear your best to this party, which will play old school hip hop all night long. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $10, $5 before 10 p.m. Taft's, 216 Court Ave., second floor.
10. Cheer on the Bulldogs
The Drake Bulldogs football team takes on Grand View University Saturday in their first game of the season. 6 p.m. $12. Drake Stadium, 2719 Forest Ave. Check out godrakebulldogs.com.
11. Pet the Best in Show
About 2,000 dogs from 45 states and foreign countries will compete at the annual Des Moines Dog Show. Spectators can watch the competitions, plus learn about various breed of dogs. Admission is free. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Varied Industries Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds, East 30th Street and University Avenue.
12. Travel back in time
Sort of. Partake in the pageantry of noble knights vying for fair damsels at the opening weekend of the Des Moines Renaissance Faire. This weekend's theme, "Highland Fling - Kilts & Celts," will give you a chance to show off your prowess and collect tokens of esteem. The "most chivalrous man and woman" will be dubbed at the end of the day by Queen Catherine. Other themes are "Royal Romance - Favors and Flavors" (A weekend of "wine, women and song," Sept. 12-13) and "Buccaneer Pirates - Treasure and Pleasure" (Rub shoulders with the "scurviest dogs you've ever met this side of the high seas," Sept. 19-20). Come out for games, fine wines and ales, and old-fashioned fun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $16. Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave.
13. Boogie down, downtown
The Flying Pig Barn Dance will feature music from the Talking Fiddleheads, an old-time local string band, in celebration of rowdy dancing and fast music. This dance, which comes from Celtic settlers, was transformed by African and Native American rhythms and has remained an exciting form of dance for 300 years. It's fun for everyone - no experience or costumes necessary. 8-11 p.m. Saturday. $6. Des Moines Social Club, 1408 Locust St.
