Advance Labor Day Picnic Features New Events Westfield, Umfleet Parks

Several community picnics are being celebrated across the country, blending traditional and new activities that foster togetherness. The Advance Labor Day Picnic from August 30 to September 1 in Advance features classic events such as a 5K, mud volleyball, and a barbecue cook-off, alongside new additions like a duck-calling competition and a community church service. Warwick, New York, hosts its annual Senior Picnic, a longstanding tradition attracting over 750 seniors with grilled favorites, live music, and strong community support from local organizations and volunteers, symbolizing resilience after the pandemic pause. Meanwhile, the history of American picnics highlights their evolution from European influences in the 1830s to iconic, often retro foods from the 1960s, such as deviled eggs and lemon Jell-O cake, which evoke nostalgia though they are rarely seen today. Culinary historian James Beard notably recommended onion sandwiches in the 1960s as part of outdoor dining, exemplifying the era's distinctive picnic fare. These events and reflections underscore the enduring cultural importance of picnics as moments of communal joy and tradition.