(SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif/Nev) - Labor Day Lake Tahoe will be celebrated on the water, on the land and now in the air, as the 13th annual Lake Tahoe Air Fest has moved its original date to coincide with holiday weekend activities, August 29 - September 1.

Visitors can partake in a plethora of family activities including the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, the inaugural Mighty Tug Boat Race, a Fireworks Extravaganza, the Big Ol' Fishing Derby, casino entertainment that includes the legendary Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, K.C. and The Sunshine Band, and now, Air Fest 2003.

The festivities kick off Friday evening, August 29, with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band at Harveys Outdoor Summer Concert Series. The renowned drummer and singer from the most famous group in rock history, The Beatles, will be on hand for a rare Lake Tahoe appearance sure to shake, rattle and recall great memories. Tickets are $85, $75 and $65 and are available at 1-800-HARVEYS or ticketmaster.com.

"Celebrating A Century of Flight" is the Air Fest theme and onlookers Saturday, August 30, will be treated to numerous fly-bys and static displays. The star of the show, a military C-5 Transport, the huge aircraft that carries troops, equipment and supplies is expected over the Lake Tahoe Airport and surrounding area around 1:00pm. Four individual air shows include stunt pilots in three Pitts bi-planes and a Nanchang Fighter Plane. Vi helicopters will be on static display, while scenic helicopter, bi-plane and airplane rides will be available.

Air Fest starts at 8:00am with a Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, with opening ceremonies at 10:30am. The fly-bys and stunt shows will start following the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, at approximately noon. Admission is free, with a $5 vehicle parking charge at the airport. For more information on Air Fest, call 530/541-4082.

As a "nautical under card" prior to the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, event organizers are adding an inaugural Tugboat Race. The unique race will feature up to five of the Lake's feisty brawlers during an abbreviated "sprint" that may exceed speeds of up to 4 knots. The race course is adjacent to the sternwheelers so boaters and beach goers alike can cheer on their favorite.

Then the gloves come off for the heavyweights during the Battle of the Paddle. In the only authentic sternwheeler race west of the Mississippi, Nevada's M.S. Dixie II and the California-based Tahoe Queen compete over a six-mile course with the start/finish line at the state line.

Those big wheels will be turning at 11:00am on the California/Nevada border just off the shore at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. A Pitts bi-plane performing at Air Fest is expected to buzz the boating crowd above the start/finish line and release a plume of smoke signaling the official start of the race. A colorful flotilla of private sailboats, motor yachts, tug boats and other vessels will also follow the sternwheelers as they battle for their pride and the prized "Tahoe Cup".

Last year's victory for the Tahoe Queen was its second straight over the M.S. Dixie II, bringing the series standings to 3-to-2 in favor of the latter. Public tickets for the race are available on either boat for $50, which includes an all-American champagne brunch, a special guest appearance by Mark Twain, costumed entertainers, and the chance to be part of a unique tradition. A portion of each ticket s donated to the restoration of the historic Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. For Race Day reservations on either boat, call 1-800-23-TAHOE.

Traditional Americana takes center stage as Labor Day Lake Tahoe hosts the 5th Annual Big Ol' Fishin' Derby at Historic Camp Richardson Resort Marina on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. Anglers will troll blue Lake Tahoe's depths in an effort to land the big one. A $1,000 cash grand prize will be awarded for the largest Mackinaw, with other enticing prizes on the line. Participants can fish privately or hire one of Lake Tahoe's experienced guides. Registration, judging, and the awards ceremony will all take place at the Camp Richardson Resort Marina. To sign up and for more information call Camp Richardson Resort at 530?542?6572.

To close out the weekend in dramatic fashion Labor Day Lake Tahoe features a spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza. This year's show will be on Sunday, August 31, at 8:30 p.m. The synchronized pyrotechnics display is launched from a floating dock near South Shore's casino resorts in Stateline. Set to stirring music, the soundtrack is broadcast locally on KRLT FM 93.9 and KOWL AM 1490. Both of Lake Tahoe's sternwheelers have an evening dinner/dance cruise, live music, a sumptuous buffet dinner and a front-row seat for the fireworks display. Evening tickets are $109 for adults and $55 for children including tax and gratuity. For reservations on either boat, call 1-800-23 TAHOE.

Visitors can also enjoy other activities throughout the weekend including arts and crafts shows and food and beverage specials from Zephyr Cove to historic Camp Richardson resorts. Accenting South Shore's nightlife, Caesars Tahoe will host K.C. & The Sunshine Band for music and dancing in its Circus Maximus Showroom on Saturday evening. The Carnival Cabaret continues its record setting run at The Horizon, a production featuring portrayals of famous divas Shania Twain, Madonna, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton and Marilyn Monroe. The Improv at Harveys will feature headline comics and emcee Howie Nave nightly.

For more information or lodging packages, call 1-800-AT--TAHOE or visit www.virtualtahoe.com.

Labor Day Lake Tahoe is produced by the Tahoe-Douglas Visitors Authority in cooperation with businesses throughout the community.

Editor's Note: Slide images and b-roll of the sternwheeler race and the fireworks display are available by calling 775-588-2412 or emailing a request to results@weidingerpr.com.