Thursday, September 1

FESTIVAL: I'm afraid of heights and high speeds, but only when paired together. So, roller coasters are out, but balloon rides seem like a great solution. I'm hoping to soar above the lovely, rural Western New York landscape at the New York State Festival of Balloons, taking place September 1-5 at the Dansville Municipal Airport on Maple Street in Dansville. The event kicks off on Thursdayat 7 p.m. with a free balloon glow, where a field of the nylon wonders will be lit up like giant lamps across the land. The festival features six scheduled launches of the balloons beginning Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. & 6 p.m., and Monday at 6 a.m. Not going up? There's ground-level festivities in store for you, including arts & crafts vendors, a vintage/new snowmobile show on Saturday, an international food court, entertainment, rides and activities for kids, and a car show. Admission is $5, and free to children under age 12. Rides are $200, and you can book your flight in advance at nysfob.com. (RR)

Friday, September 2

EXHIBIT: Grab your friends and head over to the National Museum of Play at The Strong (1 Manhattan Square) for an old-school gamer night at the museum's "eGame Revolution" exhibit. The permanent display explores video games on a variety of levels, from the history of the now hugely popular pastime (Donkey Kong was my first obsession) to the controversies surrounding some of the industry's more violent and outrageous output. But it's called the Museum of PLAY, and there are plenty of hands-on opportunities, including playing Guitar Hero and Boom Blox stations; classic console and PC games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario 64, and Oregon Trail; and the coupe de grace, a working coin-operated arcade featuring more than two-dozen historic video games. The museum is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so grab a bite in the food court and then game your heart out before a night on the town. For more information, including museum hours and fees, visit museumofplay.org. (ER)

Saturday, September 3

SPECIAL EVENT: The firework displays are still going, which means summer is not over yet! Enjoy them while it's still warm by heading to the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Genesee Country Village & Museum (1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford) this Saturday. The show promises stunning fireworks set to music, inspiring narration, and pyrotechnic ground displays. All of this plus traditional festival goodies, including fried dough, cotton candy, and Abbott's frozen custard to enjoy during the show. There are also 19th-century crafts and games for the little ones. The show costs $12-$14, or you can make a day of it and spend some time exploring the historic village with a combo pass for $20. Space is limited and advance purchase is recommended. Rain dates are September 4 and 5. Visit gcv.org for more details. (JH)

Sunday, September 4

SPECIAL EVENT: What more fitting way to hip-hooray such a spectacular summer than to listen to the boom-boom of the DCA Drum & Bugle Corps Championships? Hosted by Drum Corps Associates, this multi-day event boasts competitors and venues of the finest drum and bugle corps across the United States and Canada. Competing organizations are drum and bugle corps with 35 to 65 members, including brass, percussion, color guard, drum major, and pit. Preliminary rounds take place Saturday, September 3, final rounds on Sunday, September 4, both at Rhinos Stadium (460 Oak St.). Our local hosting band is the Empire Statesmen, and you can also see them high-stepping it in the Irondequoit Parade (July 4), and for a competition preview at Aquinas Institute (July 16). Learn more at DCACorps.org or Statesmen.org. (PC)

Monday, September 5

SPECIAL EVENT: Take some time away from barbeques and yard sales this Labor Day to cheer on Rochester workers in the Labor Day Parade. For most of us, it's just another day off. But Labor Day is meant to commemorate the seldom-remembered, brave folks who fought for workers' rights, labor laws, and unions. We should remember also to be vigilant to protect hard-won rights. The parade will journey down East Avenue to the Liberty Pole, then turn west and march down Main Street, and turn north on Plymouth Avenue and disburse. For more information, call the Rochester Labor Council at 263-2650, and learn about Rochester's labor history at rochesterlabor.org. (RR)