Grandparents Day Events Abound

It's time to pay homage to you, the grandparents, bowing down before you, fanning you with fronds of palms, and feeding you grapes.

Okay, it doesn't have to be quite such a scene from the bad old days of Rome, or as we say, so ostentatious. But Grandparents Day is September 7, and it is the holiday where we celebrate the important role you play in the makeup of the family.

To that end, there are numerous events going on around the country to recognize Grandparents Day, the holiday that is celebrated on the Sunday following Labor Day.

These are just some happenings ...

• Although Grandparents Day was originally a U.S. holiday, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, our friends north of the border also celebrate. The Delawana Inn Resort Spa and Conference Centre in Honey Harbour, Ontario, has a special weekend package for grandparents and grandchildren September 5 to 7. Two grandchildren, younger than age 6, stay and eat free and can participate in a variety of activities, including movies under the stars, campfires at North Beach, hikes, and pontoon cruises. The package also includes a special grandparents' gift. Treat yourself on your special day: Call Delawana Reservations at 1-888-335-2926 for more information.

In the States, from east to west:

• The Odyssey, a ship that cruises around Boston Harbor, will have a special Grandparents Day brunch cruise. The VIP treatment begins with a complimentary glass of champagne while boarding, and a chocolate fountain for younger diners, and grandparents receive a surprise treat. Thinking of something to sweeten your holiday? Call toll-free, (866) 310-2469 or visit Odysseycruises.com for more information or to make reservations.

• Also in Boston, toddlers can make a special art project and poem for you on Grandparents Day. Older grandchildren will enjoy getting together with you and playing time-tested games, such as tiddlywinks and Chutes and Ladders. And, grandchildren can fill in a chart indicating what they call you. Abuela? Bubbe? Grandpa? Granny? See how the list fills up. At the Boston Children's Museum.

• In New York City, don't miss a chance to share in the final moments of Yankee Stadium's prestigious history, the Yankee's final season in "the House that Ruth Built." Walk the field, visit the press box, and get an in-depth personalized history of baseball in this great city. Take your grandchildren and create memories for Grandparents Day. Hurry, the tours end Sept. 19!

• Also in New York City, Grandparents Day is the opening of Arts and Crafts at the Galleries of Jewish Culture. Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, you and your grandchild can take in the fascinating interactive and kid-friendly exhibits, then join a creative, hands-on, craft-making session. Produce leather pencil cases, "ancient" jewelry, greeting cards, and honey jars. All perfect for the grandchildren to share with all their grandparents, you included. At the Children's Galleries of Jewish Culture.

• In Sandy Hook, N.J., the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help will celebrate Grandparents Day on September 7 with a Mass and picnic on the beach. Mass will be said outdoors at 10:30am at North Beach in Sandy Hook. Following the Mass, the parishioners will be hosts at a picnic. Those who attend are asked to bring a covered dish to share to accompany the grilled goodies from the barbecue. Cook, cover, enjoy an outdoor Grandparents Day.

• It's the final day of the Prince George's County Fair in Maryland. Everything you could want in a county fair is here: a horse-pull contest, monster trucks, simulated NASCAR races — and our favorite, the pig and duck races. If you're of a mind to belt out a tune, stop by the karaoke contest to lend your voice to a melodious Grandparents Day. At the Prince George's Equestrian Center and the Show Place Arena.

• The York-Durham Heritage Railways, in Uxbridge, N.C., is offering a reduced ride for grandparents on Grandparents Day. The adult fare is cut in half ($11, or $10 for senior citizens) when a grandchild accompaines a grandparent. Think about taking to the rails and enjoying a relaxing ride on Grandparents Day.

• Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge in Georgia is celebrating Grandparents Day with several special programs. A guided nature walk begins the day of events. Later, park staff will introduce grandchildren to some old-fashioned games that you might have played when you were a child. The park is also offering a brunch at the Maple Restaurant in the Lodge. All activities and programs are free except the brunch. Raise that glass of orange juice in a toast to yourself. For more information, call the Programming Department at 706-265-1969.

• The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa is celebrating Grandparents Day, with free admission for all grandparents with a paid child's admission. You and your grandchild can adopt a butterfly; receive an adoption certificate and a photo of the butterfly. A Grandparents Day that you both will always remember. At MOSI.

• Grandparents Day is the last day for Disney on Ice's Worlds of Fantasy in Orlando. It may feel like summer in the city, but it's an ice-skating wonderland inside the arena when Tinker Bell laces up her skates and starts sprinkling pixie dust. Tink joins characters from Disney hit films The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Cars for a feel-good family show filled with music, special effects, and smooth skating moves. A Disney Princess preshow, free with your ticket, starts an hour before show time. Enjoy the magic with your grandchildren and bask in the glow of Grandparents Day. At the Amway Arena.

• Celebrate Grandparents Day with a bit of nostalgia on a stroll with your grandchildren through Miami's Cauley Square Historic Village; stop at the shops, notice the quaint old cottages. Between 12pm and 4 pm, indulge in a celebratory cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake at Cauley Square's Tea Room Restaurant. for the perfect ending to a lovely Grandparents Day.

• Grandparents Day is the last day for the Blooming Butterflies Exhibit at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minneapolis. Walk through a caterpillar-shaped, high-arched garden, surrounded by beautiful butterflies filling the air around you at Como Park Zoo.

• Take a stroll with your grandchildren through the Tennessee State Fair; its last day is September 14. At this annual event, you'll find cow-milking demonstrations, mule pulling, sorghum production, and — our favorite — racing pigs. Though state fairs revolve around agriculture, this one has plenty of carnival rides, plus a Kids Zone for the younger set. Go back to the basics on this Grandparents Day. At the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

• The Fiestas Patrias Parade in Houston is September 7. Sway to the rhythms of this community parade, commemorating Mexico's independence from Spain. Plenty of ballet, folklorico dancers, and music is on hand for a lively Grandparents Day, as well as the crowning of Miss Fiestas Patrias. At Reliant Center.

• If you're in Utah, enjoy the State Fair there; its last day is September 14. At this annual event, view traditional fair staples: livestock competitions and rodeo action, and enjoy the big-name musical entertainment, including Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical. For the grandchildren, don't miss Little Hands on the Farm, an interactive-exhibit that maps out how food gets from the farm to the dinner table. An interesting, educational way for you and yours to spend Grandparents Day. At the Utah State Fairpark.

• September 7 is the DDRC Harvest Festival Run and Family Fun Day in Denver. Spend Grandparents Day supporting a worthy cause with your grandchildren by taking part in a run-walk fund-raiser. You can either run the five-mile, run or walk the three-mile, stroll in the one-mile, or watch and cheer from the sidelines. Free flapjacks at the Pancake Brunch, and a bounce castle, face-painting, and games at the Family Fun Day event for the little ones. Proceeds benefit the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center. At the North Jeffco Park.

• In San Francisco, there’s plenty going on. Grandparents Day also happens to be Family First Sunday Let's Play Games, from 11am to 3pm. Take a break from computer games and try some old-fashioned forms of amusement: Test your coordination at hoop-and-stick or ball-and-cup; try your balancing skills at hopscotch or on stilts. Take a tour of the mansion. Bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the grounds, and introduce your grandchildren to the play of past generations. At the Dunsmuir House & Gardens.

• Kidsfaire in San Francisco on September 6 and 7 is the ultimate summer stage show with special guests featuring a sing-along with the Baby Blues Band. Witness the skill of the turtle-ific adventure heroes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they wow you with their hair-raising ninja moves. A terrific way to spend Grandparents Day with your young grandchildren. At the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

• You can't celebrate Grandparents Day without chocolate. So treat yorself and your grandchildren to some at San Francisco’s 13th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival. Enjoy deliciousness in your own sweet way at this chocolate festival. You and your grandchildren can indulge in chocolate delicacies, compete in the Earthquake Ice Cream Sundae-Eating Contest, or enjoy the family entertainment while eating your treats. At Ghirardelli Square.

• In San Diego, relive your better dancing days on Grandparents Day with Baby Loves Disco, from 2pm to 5pm. Babies love disco, and so do their grandparents. Afternoon dance parties are sweeping the nation, taking over the country's coolest nightspots, and transforming them into the coolest day-spots. DJs spin and mix classic dance hits to get you and your grandchildren grooving. Bubble-makers, noisemakers, and dress-up clothes add to the fun. At the Aubergine on 4th.

For Grandparents Day activities and events in your area, check your local newspaper or chamber of commerce.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be Grandparents Day to celebrate being a grandparent. You can always spend time with your grandchildren.

Visit our City Guides to find more events in your city. To learn more about Grandparents Day, click here. For a listing of Grandparents Day discounts and deals, click here. Elsewhere on Grandparents.com, find ideas for Grandparents Day crafts, read our reviews of the latest books on grandparenting, and learn the 25 reasons kids love grandparents.