On Monday, Sept. 7, the Town of Herndon will host its annual Labor Day Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on the Town Green in downtown Herndon. The event features music, wines produced by local wineries, microbreweries, food, crafts and more. Tickets that include wine and microbrew tastings are $20 and include a commemorative tasting glass. Tickets for concert only or designated drivers are $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

“It is a nice opportunity to sample a variety of wines without having to travel far,” said Abby Kimble, marketing specialist at Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, who plans to attend the event. Virginia's wine industry has been growing rapidly over the past years, and according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture, wine is a three-fourth of a billion dollar industry in Virginia. In terms of wine grape production, Virginia has been tied for fifth with Texas.

Vineyards in Virginia draw large number of tourists. Herndon borders Loudoun County, which has the most wineries in Virginia. Four Loudoun wines were among the 12 winners of the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup awards. "I always look forward to the Labor Day Festival, it is such a fun way to round out the summer in Herndon,” said Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel. “We have craft beers and Virginia wines and a great musical line-up at this year's event and I look forward to seeing friends and neighbors on the green," said Merkel.

HERNDON’S LABOR DAY FESTIVAL event first began with just three wineries and one food vendor. This year it will feature 10 wineries as well as craft beer microbrews. The Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department produces the event, working in conjunction with the Herndon Woman’s Club. The Herndon Woman's Club, established in 1939, is a nonprofit supported by members who volunteer time and raise money to support local, state, national and international causes. Partial proceeds will go to scholarship programs.

From 3:30 to 5 p.m. an ABBA tribute band, Dancing Dream, will play at the Town Green. Participating wineries at the Herndon Labor Day Festival include family owned microwinery Cardamon Family Vineyards, Chateau O’Brien, Desert Rose Ranch and Winery, Horton Vineyards, Mattaponi Winery, Mountain Cove Vineyards, Rebec Vineyards, Rogers Ford Farm Winery, Thistle Gate Vineyard and Two Twisted Posts Winery. Purcellville winery Two Twisted Posts was one of four Loudoun wines which placed in the 2014 Governor's Case. Sponsors for this year’s festival event included Center for Vein Restoration, Dulles Greenway, and Gutter Helmet.

THE HERNDON TOWN GREEN has been the location of Friday Night Live, a free evening concert series which ends Aug. 28. Every Friday starting Sept. 4 and continuing until Friday, Sept. 26, the Herndon Town Green will be used for JamBew concerts, an opportunity to hear indie music bands. JamBrew was developed by the Hutchison family to bring support for local music bands which sometime play at local bars and restaurants in the area.

No pets will be allowed at the festival event, and tastings stop at 4 p.m. Town offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day. Residents whose trash is normally collected on Mondays should put cans to the curb for Tuesday pickup.