What a weekend for Pleasanton, Tri-Valley!

What a weekend in Pleasanton.

Labor Day festivities are underway with an estimated 30,000 Scots and wannabe Scots filling the city for the annual Scottish Highland Gathering and Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

Plus, the two-day Harvest Wine Celebration starts at noon Sunday and Labor Day, with everyone taking a break before coming downtown for the final 1st Wednesday of the year. For most of us, it’s then a long haul back at school or work until Thanksgiving and the Christmas and New Year’s holidays come along.

Doors to the fairgrounds open at 8 a.m. Sunday with the games starting at 8:30 a.m. The Pleasanton Weekly’s cover story in its Friday editions gives the details and background of the event.

Scots like to say that, just like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all Scots when the games are in town, even if we’re not part of a clan.

And many are. There are 89 different Scottish clans represented at the fairgrounds. They include the Bruce Family, the Camerons of Northern California, Chattan Federation, Las Vegas International Celtics, House of Gordon, the MacPhersons, MacQueens and MacRaes and the St. Andrews Societies of Oakland and San Francisco.

Also today, wine aficionados can join Livermore Valley wineries in celebrating the exciting crush season and 35 years of the Harvest Wine Celebration. The event, from noon to 5 p.m., showcases more than 40 wineries in Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley during the peak of the harvest season.

Each winery is hosting activities including wine tasting, arts, crafts and music. Don’t forget to come back on Monday for additional tastings at each of the participating wineries. Wine lovers have come from all over the Bay Area and beyond for the past 35 years to enjoy this unique event. This exclusive event is open only to ticket holders.

Tickets are $45 pre-sale through noon Saturday and $55 after that. Tickets include wine tastings, a commemorative Livermore Valley Wine Country glass, wine discounts and a program.

Tickets are available at the following wineries: Cedar Mountain Winery, Crooked Vine Winery, Cuda Ridge Wines, Fenestra Winery, Las Positas Vineyards, Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, The Singing Winemaker and Wente Vineyards Estate Tasting Room.

And just when you thought the festivities were over, here comes another 1st Wednesday Street Party. The Sept. 7 Street Party will host Public Eye this month, with children’s activities, great food and nearly 200 local vendors.

With the Nov. 8 elections coming up, you’ll also have a chance to meet and chat with candidates who will have booths on the street as they campaign for election to the State Legislature, City Council and Pleasanton school board. The two candidates for mayor might also be there. Enjoy.