Full plate of South Lake Tahoe Labor Day weekend activities

A busy Labor Day weekend starts Friday, with a plethora of activities for locals and visitors alike. There are fireworks, music, car shows, runs, boat races, a farm-fork festival and much more to enjoy.

Heavenly Village Days on Labor Day Car Show goes through the weekend with a sidewalk sale, trophies, and a poker run. It costs $40 to show your cars, trucks and motorcycles. Brought to you by Good Samaritans Safe Ride. September 4 - 7, 2015.

During Labor Day weekend, skiers and riders will have the chance to save big bucks on gear and equipment for next season, as Heavenly Mountain Resort hosts the 29th Annual Heavenly Sports Tent Sale at the California Main Lodge. It runs Saturday, September 5, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sunday, September 6, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; and Monday, September 7, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

“The Heavenly Labor Day tent sale is a tradition in Tahoe, signifying the ski and ride season is right around the corner,” said Pete Sonntag, vice president and COO of Heavenly. “We’re less than 100 days until opening day, and now is the time to think about winter and what you need to stock up on for the season, including your season pass.”

The Ski Run Farmer's Market is on Friday, September 4 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The 14th annual Thin Air Chili Cook-off and 5k/10k Run is at Kirkwood on Saturday, September 5, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Start the day at 9 am with the annual 5k/10k runs. Meet in front of The Lodge. Chili tasting, featuring the region’s top chili makers, begins at noon on the Plaza. These events, sponsored by the Kirkwood Community Association, benefit the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department and includes wine and beer tasting for adults with logo glass for $30, live music, fun activities for the kids and lunch on the plaza. Scenic chair rides will also be available.

Sammy Hagar and The Circle (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, & Vic Johnson) perform at Harvey's Outdoor Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Skid Row is at Hard Rock on Saturday, showtime is 9 p.m.

Saturday is free fishing day in California! All lakes and streams can be fished without a license.

Also on Saturday is a free history walk on the Carson Pass. There is a free History of Carson Pass walk is offered each Saturday from 10-11 am at The Carson Pass Information Station on Highway 88 about 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.

The walk is less than one mile and very easy. During the walk you’ll learn about the formation of The Sierra Nevada, Kit Carson, John C. Fremont and the pioneer and westward movements.

The Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler race pits Nevada’s beloved MS Dixie II against California’s Tahoe Queen in a four-mile race along the southeastern shoreline of beautiful Lake Tahoe to determine overall lake supremacy and the chance to win the coveted Tahoe Cup.

For the Saturday race, Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II will board at 10:00 a.m. and depart at 10:30 a.m. for a race start near Edgewood Tahoe at 11:00 a.m. Guests can join the party and excitement aboard either boat including Tahoe’s only Paddlewheel Brunch Buffet. Both boats will depart from Zephyr Cove. $25 per adult and $10 per child. For more information, please 800.23.TAHOE.

On Saturday, pick up your history hunt map at the Lake Tahoe Museum on Highway 50 across from Sno-Flake Drive, next to the Senior Center. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it is free. The cabin is open from noon to 2 p.m. for free tours. Historical movies showing all day, and you guessed it, for free.

On Friday and Sunday, the Tahoe Chamber hosts Sample the Sierra, a Farm to Fork Festival and Pop-Up Dinner. On Friday, September 4, the Pop-Up Dinner at Lake Tahoe Golf Course starts with a reception at 6:00 p.m, dinner will follow at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, the festival continues with Sample the Sierra's food and wine pairing tastings at Bijou Community Park from noon to 4 p.m. $40.

The Heavenly Mountain Run is on Sunday. It takes runners from the California Base Lodge at 6,565-feet, 5.8 miles up Maggie’s to Hellwinkles and along the California Trail to the top of one of Lake Tahoe’s largest four-seasons resorts. The run finishes at the Tamarack Lodge at an awe-inspiring 9,150-feet. Runners can enjoy a scenic ride down the Heavenly Gondola back to the base or descend on their own. Registration starts at 8 a.m., the race starts at 10 a.m. Cost is $48 for youth, $52 for seniors and $61 for adults.

Fireworks caps off the weekend with a Sunday night show. This pyrotechnic exhibition explodes over Lake Tahoe after dusk and features a variety of patterns, shapes and designs. The show features a simultaneous music broadcast that can be heard on local stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL - AM 1490. Show begins at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks are visible from beaches across the South Shore.

All over town there is also live music, including Heavenly Village, Jimmy's, McP's, and the casinos. You can also enjoy craft shows and tours at the Tallac Historic Site.