Enjoy a final blast of summertime fun

Labor Day weekend traditionally is summer’s last hurrah. Send the season out with a bang at one of these events.

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Attend the Nebraska State Fair before it moves to Grand Island, Neb. The 2009 fair continues through Monday at State Fair Park in Lincoln. For a schedule of activities, go to www.statefair.org/fair/.

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Septemberfest will begin at 5 tonight and run through Monday at Qwest Center Omaha parking lot D. There will be a 10 a.m. Monday parade. For more information, go to www.septemberfestomaha.com.

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Omahawks Radio-Controlled Club will have its 30th annual air show from noon to 4 p.m. Monday at Standing Bear Lake, 138th and Fort Streets. Admission is free, but fees will be charged for drawings and concessions. Profits go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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Be part of living history Saturday and Sunday at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, seven blocks east of U.S. Highway 75 near Fort Calhoun, Neb. Re-enactors will portray life in an 1820s-era military post from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. They will demonstrate blacksmithing, carpentry, tinsmithing, quilting, spinning, weaving and coopering. A re-enactment of a garrison court martial will take place at 2 p.m. each day. A park entry permit is required. They are available on site.

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Friday will be fan appreciation night at a Nebraska Truck & Tractor Pullers Association pull at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. The Nebraska Corn Growers Association will hand out prizes to fans. The gate will open at 6:30 p.m., and pulling action will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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Arts and crafts, games, history and fun await Stuhr Museum visitors Saturday through Monday during the annual “Back to School in Railroad Town.” Students can test their skills at Peter’s School with 1890s school placement tests, authentic hands-on activities, games and more. Young students can create craft projects, play games such as hoops and sticks and enjoy other aspects of 1890s student life. For more information, call 308-385-5316 or visit www.stuhrmuseum.org.

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Living history, wood carving, demonstrations and a soldiers camp await visitors Saturday through Monday at Fort Kearny (Neb.) State Historical park. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Cannon firing will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday. A park entry sticker is required and may be purchased on site.

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Here’s a Sunday activity that’s as easy as pie. Donate blood through the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Village Inn, 2935 W. Broadway in Council Bluffs, and you’ll get a free fruit pie of your choice. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org (sponsor code 2287) to make an appointment.

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Join Whole Foods employees from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Walnut Hill Park, 38th and Lafayette Streets, with your own picnic gear and a homemade, healthful dish to share. The communal dining is free.

The event is part of the Slow Food USA Time for Lunch campaign, a national project to support getting healthy foods into schools.

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Everyone can be Italian for a day — or two or three — at La Festa Italiana Friday through Sunday at Roncalli High School, 6401 Sorensen Parkway. Enjoy Italian food, music, dancing and other fun activities. For information, go to www.omahaitaly.com.

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The National Old Time Country and Bluegrass Music Festival and Pioneer Exposition of Arts and Crafts continues through Sunday at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa. Hours are 9 a.m. to midnight each day. Information: 712-546-8821.

Compiled by Sue Story Truax