Despite many warm days to come, Labor Day is often referred to as a time to celebrate the end of summer.

And be it a parade, festival, barbecues with family and friends, or just going with the flow, people throughout the suburbs enjoyed the day.

With a push from labor unions, the first labor days were observed in New York and Oregon. But Chicago was key to the entire country recognizing the holiday: President Grover Cleveland made it a national holiday in 1894 to end a Pullman strike in Chicago.

At that time, it was the height of the Industrial Revolution and the average American worked 12-hour, 7-day weeks just to make a basic living, according to history.com. Unions held strikes and rallies to protest poor working conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay, according to the site.

Business and labor have changed considerably since then and, though the original intent of honoring workers may have dimmed from those 19th century roots, the first Monday in September is among the best of the year and a respite for all to enjoy.

So it was in Schaumburg, where the parade route was packed for the third and final day of Septemberfest, an event that historically draws 100,000 over its run. Monday’s finale was the last in 41 years to be held at Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center grounds as the facility is torn down and replaced.

At Wheeler Park in Geneva, music and words flowed for the conclusion of the 48th Annual Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Festival. Six stages ran continuously with mini-concerts, storytelling, music and crafts and more.

And downtown Long Grove was hopping with dancing and music during the final day of Irish Fest, an annual celebration of Irish music, culture and food.

But for most it’s back to work Tuesday. With that, here is a favorite lesson regarding work and life from Chinese philosopher Confucius: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”