Labor Day is traditionally a time to socialize with friends and have a seriously fun weekend to mark the end of summer. This year, don’t let covid-19 get you down. Here are some fun socially distanced Labor Day activities you can enjoy with family and friends.
1– Throw a backyard barbecue
This may not be the year for a big block party, but that doesn’t mean you can’t invite a few friends and family members for a socially distanced barbecue in your backyard. Current research shows that outdoor activities are much safer than indoor ones when it comes to covid-19 transmission. In the words of the Mayo Clinic,
“When you’re outside, fresh air is constantly moving, dispersing these [respiratory] droplets. So, you’re less likely to breathe in enough of the respiratory droplets containing the virus that causes COVID-19 to become infected.
Being outside offers other benefits, too. It offers an emotional boost and can help you feel less tense, stressed, angry or depressed.”
What to cook
If you are like many people and have amped up your cooking game since covid-19 starting, you might want to try something more unique than your usual hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob. Have a look at these two posts for some creative, delicious ideas: Our favorite summer grilling recipes and Creative summer grilling ideas.
How to entertain your guests
Looking for fun socially distanced activities to enjoy with your guests? Try some old fashioned lawn games. You can go the traditional route and play horseshoes or croquet. But in these times of stay at home orders and endless daily routines, why not try something a little different? If you are looking to try something new, many people really enjoy petanque or bocce ball.
If you don’t want to leave your home, you can always order one of these games on Amazon. There is still plenty of time for them to be delivered before Labor Day.
2– Throw a sparkler party
Here is another fun outdoor activity you can do with friends and family. Kids love sparklers. Teenage girls (and most grown women, let’s be honest) also love the idea of taking sparkler photos. They are just so Instagramable! All you need is a bunch of sparklers, a tripod (or just a steady place to put your camera) and a camera. Some cell phone cameras even have a “Light painting” setting you can use that will work. To learn how to take the perfect sparkler photo, you can read this: Sparkler Art- The secret to taking great fireworks photos.
For those at the party that aren’t into sparkler photography, you can serve some cocktails at an indoor/outdoor bar. It may take a little time and effort, but if you like to entertain it can be a great post-covid-19 addition to your home. Here are some other fun decorating ideas for your Labor Day party: Our favorite outdoor decorating ideas.
3– Take a trip to the beach
Nothings says Labor Day like a trip to the beach. If you don’t live near the ocean, don’t worry! Many lakes have beaches where you can spend a very pleasant day. And lakes have the added benefit that they don’t contain things like sharks and jellyfish. Just make sure you bring disinfectant to wipe down picnic benches or other public fixtures. Also, bring plenty of hand sanitizer and masks for trips to the bathroom, or for situations when your are in tight spaces and can’t keep six feet apart from people not in your party.
Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake is located in Middle Tennessee, less than a two hour drive from The River Club. Technically it is not a lake, but rather a 22,500 acre reservoir, primarily fed by the waters of the Cumberland River. The lake is surrounded by shady wooded areas and grassy flatlands. It offers a spectacular 440 miles of scenic shoreline.
If you drive to Cedar Creek (a part of the lake), you will find a sandy beach where you, your friends and family can relax, swim and even have a couple beers. Cedar Creek also has a boat ramp (the lake is a perfect place for small sailboats), fishing areas, a covered picnic shelter (which can be rented), smaller picnic areas, playground and dedicated swimming area. If you want to spend the weekend there to fully enjoy all the activities the lake has to offer, it has a campground with a number of facilities, such as barbecue grills, showers, electricity hookup, washers and dryers.
On another part of the lake you will find Old Hickory Beach. It features a sandy swimming beach, a playground for the kids, a small shelter near the beach and a large shelter you can reserve. It also has boat ramps.
4– Spend the day at a state park
Tennessee State Parks are delightful year round. The icing on the cake this year is many have planned Labor Day activities for 2020. Here are two parks that are conveniently located in Middle Tennessee.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Located just over an hour’s drive from The River Club, the Cedars of Lebanon State Park is part of the Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. The park is named for the eastern red cedar trees found throughout the area. The trees reminded early American settlers of the famed Biblical cedar forests that thrived across Mount Lebanon, hence the name Cedars of Lebanon. It became a state park in 1955.
Limestone glades
The park has eight miles of hiking trails that allow you to wander through the cedar forests and glades. What is a glade, you ask? Interestingly, they are unique ecosystems found in and around the park. They are natural rock gardens called limestone glades. According to the Tennessee State Parks website,
“The presence of glades is due to limestone rock coming so close to the surface of the ground that it causes the soil to be thin or absent. The small amount of soil that does exist along the cracks and potholes in the limestone slab, has been built up over many years. Water and surface temperatures vary so much throughout the year that a harsh, desert-like, inhospitable habitat is created with its own unique plant community. Nineteen rare and endangered species of plants grow profusely here and nowhere else in the world.“
Labor Day activities
The park has a number of outdoor, socially distanced activities planned for Labor Day. These include hiking the half mile Dixon Merritt trail and learning to make survival bracelets.
Chickasaw State Park
Chickasaw State Park was named for the Chickasaw Indians who once inhabited West Tennessee and North Mississippi. The park is situated on some of the highest terrain in west Tennessee. There are rowboats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats available for rent on Lake Placid, one of the two lakes in the park.
Although it is a further drive from The River Club (four hours), the park has a number of different lodging options. It has historic cabins with fireplaces and televisions and an RV campground. Interestingly, it also has one of the only wrangler campgrounds which are designed for people traveling with horses. The wrangler campground has 32 sites and is located close to the stables.
Labor Day activities
Chickasaw Park has a really interesting variety of Labor Day activities planned this year. You can:
- Learn to paddleboard
- Make a paracord dragonfly (and learn about dragonflies in the process)
- Learn to throw an atlatl (a spear thrower- we had to Google it)
- Go on a photographic scavenger hunt
- Learn how to throw a tomahawk
- Make bird food
- Meet Minko the snake
Other activities in Chickasaw
If you like golf, which is arguably the best socially distanced sport, Chickasaw has a fantastic 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Golf Course.
In addition to the remarkable course, it has a log cabin-style clubhouse where you can relax and socialize before or after your round. Our favorite place is is the large veranda with a breathtaking view of the practice green, fairways and lake.
There is truly something for the entire family at Chickasaw State Park, even if your family includes horses.
Do you like entertaining at home?
Or maybe you just want to start entertaining more, given the covid-19 outbreak. Regardless of the reason, The River Club has some beautiful homes that are ideal for those that like to entertain at home. The Nashville is the perfect example. Situated in a beautiful rural setting in Middle Tennessee, you and your guests can enjoy the tranquility of nature while spending fun, quality time together. CONTACT US TODAY, at info@theriverclubtn.com, if you want to learn more.
