Officially, the calendar says the last day of summer is Sept. 22. But we all know Labor Day is the real finish line (not that you could tell from the steamy weather forecast).
So this three-day weekend is not the time for back-to-school shopping or taking your sweaters out of storage. Enjoy one last action-packed holiday filled with parades, music, sports, art and other unique events that make New York New York.
Island style
Who needs the desnudas in Times Square? If you want to see women put on a real (and more tasteful) show, go to the West Indian American Day Parade. The annual event, which draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September, shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb (this year’s theme is Greek gods and goddesses) and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
Monday’s festivities kick off at 11 a.m. on Eastern Parkway at Utica Avenue, and continue to Grand Army Plaza at the northwest corner of Prospect Park; wiadcacarnival.org.
Suds & seafood
Prepare to get your hands dirty! For two days only, East Village staple Narcissa, located in The Standard hotel, will offer a seafood spread, in addition to its farm fresh menu. The restaurant’s South Garden Terrace will transform to an authentic South Carolinia Low Country Boil, complete with blue crabs, peel-and-eat shrimp, hush puppies and carrot cake — along with beer specials by the pitcher.
Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. $45 per person; beer available at $5 a pint, $20 a pitcher. 25 Cooper Square; narcissarestaurant.com.
Fair enough
Riverside Park South will be transformed from an urban mecca into a circus fête — including a mini Ferris wheel, multiple bounce houses, a reptile show, carnival games, stilt walkers, aerialists, a magician, four bands and local food vendors — for the 13th annual West Side County Fair.
“Celebrating the last moments of summer is a wonderful thing,” Zhen Heinemann of the city parks department, who organized the event, tells The Post. “It’s hours of family-carnival fun, in a beautiful, waterfront setting.”
Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Free. 68th Street and Riverside Boulevard; nycgovparks.org.
Going Gaga
It may not be Lady Gaga, but it’s pretty darn close. Brian Newman, the bandleader for Mother Monster’s jazz ensemble, will bring his trumpet to the Rainbow Room for a fall series, which kicks off with a performance Friday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the lavish event include the show plus a three-course prix fixe menu with offerings such as honey-and-clove-lacquered roasted duck with lavender, lobster potpie and blueberry soufflé. Yum!
Tickets, $195. 30. Rockefeller Plaza; rainbowroom.com.
Splendor in the grass
For art with a view, make your way to Governors Island, for the eighth annual Governors Island Art Fair, where more than 100 artists will show paintings, sculptures and multi-media installations. For the first time, exhibitions won’t just appear on the typical outdoor space, but also in the Fort Jay magazine, a series of six brick chambers underneath Fort Jay that previously housed ammunition in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. 407 Comfort Road, Governors Island; 4heads.org.
What a racket
New Yorkers may be sweating it out on the city streets, but that’s nothing compared to the elite athletes serving up a hot weekend at the US Open. Though the weekend schedule has not yet been determined, tournament favorites Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will undoubtedly hit the court over the next three days. And a slew of performers, including Southern soul group Gold Magnolias, Harlem soul singer Caleb Hawley and folk singer Nick Moran, are scheduled to perform Monday beginning at 12:30 p.m. (free with admission).
Visit usta.usopen.org for schedules and other details.
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Framed
Washington Square Park may currently be overrun with bright-eyed NYU freshmen, but they’re about to get some company. More than 125 artists are set to occupy a piece of the West Village for the biannual Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, now in its 85th year.
“It’s the premiere art exhibit in NYC, without a doubt,” boasts John DiBiase, executive director of the show. “It [was] originally started along the perimeter of [Washington Square Park] by Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.”
Saturday to Monday, noon to 6 p.m., University Place from East 13th Street to Waverly Place.; wsoae.org.
Tugs ahoy!
It’s been 23 years since the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosted the first Tugboat Race & Competition in NYC — and this year, more than 15 tugs will hit the Hudson to keep the tradition alive. In addition to the race, tugboats will participate in a nose-to-nose pushing contest and a line-throwing competition by crew members. Afterward, in a nod to Popeye, everyone’s favorite sailor man, there will be a spinach-eating contest and tattoo competition on Pier 84 in Manhattan.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. West 44th Street and Hudson River Park; workingharbor.com.
One-wheel action
Things will get wheely interesting on Governors Island for the annual Unicycle Festival. World-class performers and circus pros will mingle with recreational riders and newbies for two days of competitions, exhibitions and unicycle sports including basketball and hockey. “This is one of those events that makes New York City what it is,” says festival founder Keith Nelson. “People of all ages, from all walks of life, join together to ride one wheel!”
Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Free. Colonels Row, Governors Island; govisland.com.
Hair apparent
Men will be putting on a show of their own in Coney Island, as the city’s hairiest fellas gather for the eighth annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition. Don Jamieson of VH1’s “That Metal Show” will host the event, which includes categories such as Best in Show, Best Moustache/Beard Styled, Strongest Team Participation and Worst in Show.
Saturday, 8 p.m. $20 for participants and spectators. 1208 Surf Ave., Coney Island; coneyisland.com.
Mill power
Meek Mill may be best known for dating Nicki Minaj and his ongoing feud with Drake, but the rapper also performs — on Monday, he’ll be at the annual Fool’s Gold Day Off festival in Williamsburg.
“Meek Mill had such a crazy, controversial summer, I’m sure his onstage energy will be off the charts,” Fool’s Gold record label co-founder Nick Catchdubs tells The Post.
Additional performers include A-Trak, Flatbush Zombies and Bosco, and “there’s curveballs and surprise guests,” says Catchdubs. 4 p.m., $30 and up. For 18-year-olds and up. 50 Kent Ave., Williamsburg; foolsgoldrecs.com.