Naples This Labor Day: Sidewalk Sales, Beach BBQ & a Foam Party for Dogs + Poll

Friends and neighbors,

The long weekend is almost here, and there are many ways to spend it right in Naples. LaPlaya is hosting a beach barbecue and The Village Shops are taking their end-of-season sales out onto the sidewalks. There’s live music Friday and Saturday night, too, depending on whether you’re in the mood for rock or singer-songwriters. 

Sunday has the more unusual options. The Barkyard & Tap is throwing a foam party for dogs in Golden Gate Estates, complete with free pup cups and food trucks, while the Paradise Coast Paddlers Club is meeting at Clam Pass for an early morning paddle through the bay. A good range of excuses to leave the A/C this weekend. Get out there! 

Cheers,

Rock Republic plays Blue Martini at Mercato Friday night to start Labor Day weekend. Doors open at 4 PM and the band plays from 7–10 PM. The event is 21+, and free parking is available. Early bird tickets available on Eventbrite, with $20 door tickets.  Tickets. 

Coupe de Ville returns to Vichino’s for a singer/songwriter night featuring Jim and Robert of the Goldtones, with music spanning classic rock, folk, pop and Americana and some of the stories behind the songs. There’s a one-drink minimum with a $25 cover. Tickets. 

The Village Shops on Venetian Bay is holding its Labor Day Sidewalk Sale all weekend, with participating boutiques offering special savings and end-of-season finds. There are more than 45 shops and waterside restaurants at the center, so it’s easy to make a longer afternoon of it with lunch or dinner along the bay. Details. 

LaPlaya is opening its Labor Day weekend festivities to locals as well as resort guests, with a traditional American-style beach barbecue from noon–4 PM both Saturday and Sunday and kids’ activities and Labor Day crafts beginning at 1 PM. Sunday also brings live entertainment from 3–6 PM. Event info. 

The Barkyard & Tap is hosting a dog-friendly foam party in Golden Gate Estates, with pups able to run and play in the foam while owners check out food, drinks and local vendors. The event also celebrates dogs with September birthdays, with birthday shout-outs and surprises for pups. Admission also includes free pup cups and photo ops. Tickets. 

Paradise Coast Paddlers Club heads out from Clam Pass Sunday morning for its September First Sunday Paddle, launching into South Clam Bay and paddling toward North Clam Bay. This is for experienced paddlers: the route can run about 7.5 miles, participants should be comfortable re-entering their kayak in deep water. A Collier County beach parking sticker is required, or you can pay the $10 daily parking fee. The club posts any weather cancellation by 7 AM. Event info. 

Last week we asked: What matters most to you at happy hour?

Here’s where you landed: 

Cocktail specials reigned supreme with 22.7%, followed by discounted wine and beer (20.2%) and great atmosphere (19.5%) rounding out the top 3. The least important? Convenient hours. The results were fairly evenly split, but one thing is clear: when it comes to happy hour, a good deal on drinks still matters most. 

Long weekends don’t need a big itinerary to feel special. Sometimes it’s a beach barbecue, a little live music, a paddle before the heat sets in, or even watching your dog disappear into a pile of foam.

Whatever you choose, I hope you find a good reason to get out and enjoy Naples this weekend.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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