BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

HEUVELTON – The annual Labor Day festivities planned in Heuvelton this weekend promise to be bigger than ever. 

The event, hosted by the Heuvelton Labor Day Committee and the Heuvelton Lions Club and featuring a circus theme this year, gets started Thursday night with entertainment planned throughout the weekend until Sunday.

Games, food, live music, a parade, carnival clowns, races, tug of war, and fireworks will be just some of what’s on tap for the holiday. 

The following is a tentative schedule of events planned for the weekend posted on the committee’s Facebook page:

Saturday, Aug. 31

The Kid’s Fishing Derby starts at 7 a.m. Registration will be held at the boat launch. The tournament has an open boundary. Weigh-in is at 11. No charge to participate.

The Welcome to the Freak Show 5K - Fun Run steps off Saturday morning. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Race starts at 8 a.m. on Annette Street. Cost is $10. The first 100 participants receive a free t-shirt.

The canoe race gets started off Front Street in Rensselaer Falls at 9 a.m.

The craft show will be held from 9-2 at the Fire Hall. There will be crafts, vendors, and Hillbilly Street Dogs and The Lemon Drop food trucks.

The Ring Master’s Amazing Race hosted by HVFD Auxiliary will kick off Saturday as well. Registration at Heuvelton Central School is at 9:30 a.m. Race time is from 10-11:30 a.m. Cost to enter is $10 per 4-6 member team.

The annual baby contest sponsored by the Heuvelton Lions Club gets started at 10 a.m. on the lawn at St. Raphael's Church. The concert is for newborns to 24-month-olds.

Grace Point Church on York Street will offer free hotdogs, water, bounce house and games from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The duck race, sponsored by SLFCU, will be held at noon at the Flat Rocks on the River Road. 

The quilt, knit and crochet show, sponsored by Heuvelton Public Library, will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Pickens Hall.

Meadowview Apartments hosts bingo at noon. There is no charge to participate. Ages 5 and up can play. 

As in years past the boat launch will be the site of several events at the Labor Day celebration. A cornhole tournament, sponsored by HVFD, starts at 2 p.m. Registration for Adult Tug O' War is at 1:30 p.m. The wars start at 2 p.m. Kids Tug O' War will immediately follow the Adult Tug O' War.

A DJ will be playing tunes from 2-6 p.m. at the boat launch. CirqOvation Circus performers will entertain at 2 p.m. A magic show and balloon animals by Belly Buttons the Clown will be from 3-5 p.m. Free bounce houses will be set up for the youngsters from 1-5 p.m. 

Cotton candy and sno-cones will be available at the boat launch. The fire department will host a concert with Common Revolution at 6 p.m. Fireworks launch at dusk. 

Sunday, Sept. 1

The Greatest Show on Earth Parade will start rolling at 1 p.m. Lineup starts at 11 a.m. Float judging at noon. Funky Karnaval by Pulsation Production clowns will participate in the parade this year.

The Amvets will host a chicken barbecue at 2 p.m. Meals cost $15.

Big Wheel Races for kids ages 3-8 will be held on Lisbon Street immediately following the parade. Sack races will also be held. 

Doug's Tavern will host live music immediately following the parade.

The CirqOvation Circus Performers, sponsored by the Heuvelton Historical Association, will perform on Lisbon Street after the parade.

Food trucks will be set up on Lisbon Street during the festivities.