The African Cup and Unity Festival will feature African music, dancing and a soccer tournament over Labor Day Weekend in the Columbus area. Rip the Runway Ohio will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Croft Entertainment Complex. The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival will be held on Monday, Sept. 5. COSI Columbus will host the final weekend of its exhibit “DINOSAURS: Explore. Escape. Survive,” which ends on Labor Day.

COLUMBUS – A variety of entertainment and community events will be held around Columbus during Labor Day weekend.

The Sixth African Cup USA and Unity Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 2, through Sunday, Sept. 4, at the Africentric Early College, 300 E. Livingston Ave. African communities of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky will come together over Labor Day weekend for the event.

The festival will include 27 soccer matches, more than 24 musical performances, African dancing and food vendors offering a variety of international cuisine.

Last year, the African Cup USA and Unity Festival hosted close to 7,000 players, vendors and guests and more attendees are expected this year. The soccer tournament and musical festival provides an opportunity for participants to celebrate and promote cultural unity.

The event will also provide visitors an opportunity to donate to African famine relief. One of the worst famines in 60 years has hit much of the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Kenya, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia. All involved and attending the tournament and festival will have an opportunity to provide aid to those in need.

For more information about the African Cup and Unity Festival 2011, visit Columbussports.org.

Rip the Runway Ohio will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Croft Entertainment Complex, 3587 E. Livingston Ave. The fashion show will feature local designers, models and musical performers. Featured designers include Coutori/Cream Adoir, Dame Shepp, Nia Grain, Tierra Trendz, Latasha Denise, Pnotty Fashion, Exclusive Kidz, Goodie Gear, C-Lee Designs, and Kids Authentic Appearal. For tickets and more information, visit Shotsbyvegas.com.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks will present its final “Rhythm on the River” concert of the summer on Friday, Sept. 2, at 8 p.m. in Bicentennial Park. The event will feature a preview of BalletMet Columbus’ upcoming season along with audience favorites set against the downtown skyline. For more information, visit Sciotomile.com.

The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival will be held on Monday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northam Park, 3600 Tremont Road. The festival will feature nearly 200 fine art and craft artists from all over the country as well as a variety of food vendors and hands-on activities for children. For more information, visit Uaoh.net.

COSI Columbus will host the final weekend of its exhibit “DINOSAURS: Explore. Escape. Survive,” which ends on Labor Day. The exhibit features more than 10,000 square feet of prehistoric excitement, from moving animatronic dinosaurs to advanced computer simulators that allow visitors to “Be the Dinosaur,” to a huge interactive maze. Also featured is the Giant Screen Film “Walking the T.Rex: The Story of Sue!” For exhibit hours and more information, visit Cosi.org.