Find fun on Labor Day

Labor Day, more commonly regarded as the final day of summer, is a federal holiday set aside to pay tribute to workers and labor unions.

Observed on the first Monday of September, the Canadian-born holiday, which originated from the “Nine-Hour Movement” in labor, was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1882 in New York City.

Today, commemorated as a “day of rest,” it is widely celebrated with parades, barbecues and beach fun. And yes, it also marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons.

Lagunans who wish to not slumber away their day of rest can mark the day by attending a service, supporting a cause or just celebrating your freedom to be somewhere other than the office for the day. Enjoy.

Pancake breakfast

Laguna Beach will host its annual Labor Day Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Exchange Club, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Monday on Cliff Drive and Myrtle Street.

The city’s firefighters will fire up a delicious morning feast, provided by Las Brisas, the White House and Laguna Coffee Company, while Virtuoso Doug Miller strums his violin tunes.

Miss Linda will create a Hawaiian luau ambience while the lovely “Laguna Faerie,” Jessica de Stefano, charms pancake lovers with sprinkles of faerie dust.

Cost is $5. Proceeds will go toward helping the families of the firefighters killed in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. For more information, call Sande St. John at (949) 633-9429.

Bars and restaurants revelry

?The Cliff, 577 S. Coast Highway, will host a “Reverse Happy Hour” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, featuring DJ L Roc. (949) 494-1956.

?Hennessey’s Tavern, 213 Ocean Ave., will feature the Greatest Cover Band EVER at 10 tonight, the Matt Kenney Band Saturday and Butter Face Sunday night. They will also offer an early bird dinner special for $10, and a variety of 22-ounce Samuel Adams, bratwurst and pretzel combos. (949) 494-2743.

?The Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave. will feature singer/songwriter Tricia Freeman from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. today and Saturday, and the Missiles of October from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. If you can stretch your Labor Day vacation just one more day, Beth Fitchet Wood promises a happening Songwriter’s Showcase from 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday. (949) 494-3027.

?Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., will host a weekend-long labor-free celebration, featuring a Headliner Summer Concert Series. Nick I & A.D.D. will play rock/reggae/soul from 8:45 to 11:45 p.m. today. Saturday will offer a mix of rock/reggae and ska with an opener by Rome at 9 p.m., followed by the Skeletones from 10 to 11:45 p.m. The weekend will close with a Roots Reggae performance by Big Mountain from 7 to 10 p.m. Cover is $10. (949) 715-7100.

?Royal Hawaiian, 331 N. Coast Hwy. will offer up a lineup of rockin’ bands all weekend, kicking off with a performance by the Reflexx 80’s Band from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. today. Saturday will offer more throwbacks from the ‘80s with Flashback Heart Attack from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. RH will wind things down and close out on a chiller note with reggae artists Kevin Smith and James Idde from 2 to 6 p.m., followed by a performance from local favorites Nick Hernandez and Common Sense from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover charge. (949) 494-8001.

?The White House, 340 S. Coast Highway, will host a Labor Day Reggae Festival from 2 p.m to 2 a.m. Monday, featuring artists Higher Lion, Kyng Arthur, Entropy and Shawny B. $2 Red Stripes and Jamaican barbecue will also be offered. For more information, call (949) 494-8088.

Labor Day service

The Unitarian Universalists will celebrate Labor Day with words and music at a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at the UU Fellowship, 429 Cypress Drive. The service will focus on women in the labor movement, and will feature DeAnn McEwen, a registered nurse who will speak about the California Nurses Assn.