Labor Day Offerings: From Boating to the Bard : Holiday weekend: A Greek festival, yacht races, theater performances and Lynwood’s two-day International Unity Festival are planned.

Labor Day has evolved from a celebration of the American work force to a good excuse for a department store sale, but it still signals summer’s end and an extra day off to relax before school starts.

This year there are plenty of options. There will be fairs, carnivals, picnics, boat rides and good eats throughout Long Beach this holiday weekend. Among the choices are a Greek festival, sailboat races and theater performances in the park.

Choices in southeast Los Angeles County are more limited. Lynwood will hold a two-day International Unity Festival to bring together the diverse cultures of the area in a gala of bands, music and food.

In case residents think that everyone has forgotten what Labor Day means, Al Groh--vice president of the Long Beach local of the Masters, Mates and Pilots union--stands as a reminder. Groh will be heading to Washington this weekend to negotiate a new contract.

Here are list of the events in Long Beach and the Southeast:

ON THE WATER * The Alamitos Bay Yacht Club Labor Day Regatta. Fixed-course races inside Alamitos Bay and in the southern end of Long Beach Harbor. Participation is limited to members, but those who want to watch should be at the bay about noon today.

* Occupied Kuwait Yacht Club Regatta, last year known as the Prince William Sound Yacht Club Regatta. Every year a maverick bunch of yachting folks get together on the Long Beach Peninsula and hold relay boat races. This year they will meet on the beach at 68th Place, which is at the end of Ocean Boulevard at Alamitos Bay. The race will start about noon Monday. All are welcome to watch.

NEAR THE WATER

* Queen Mary and Spruce Goose. Operating hours will be extended to 9 p.m. until Sept. 3, with reduced admission prices after 6 p.m. of $9.70 for adults and $4.75 for children 5 to 11. Daytime admission is $17.50 for adults and $9.50 for children. Nightly fireworks shows will conclude Monday, as will Brighton Carnival, the old-fashioned traveling fair in the attraction’s Londontowne.

* 41st annual Greek Festival, today and Monday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Rainbow Lagoon in Shoreline Village. Admission $2.

ON THE LAND * The 18th annual Harvest Festival, billed as America’s largest retail arts and crafts fair, today and Monday at the Long Beach Convention Center. Admission is $6 adults, $3 for children and seniors. Open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Bard in the Yard.” A local troupe will present Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors” today at 5 p.m. at the Recreation Park band shell, on Park Avenue between Anaheim and Colorado streets. Admission is free. Bring a picnic dinner.

* The North Long Beach Lions Club annual fair. At Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., today and Monday from noon to 10 p.m. Carnival rides for adults and children will be offered at $1 per ride, plus children’s roller coaster, food booths and midway game booths. Proceeds will benefit charities in Long Beach.

* Lynwood International Unity Festival. Today from noon to 7 p.m. at Dymally Congressional Park, 3798 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Festivities will include carnival rides and games, picnic games from noon to 4 p.m., and bands with dancing from 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.