The Stanislaus River was the place to be on Labor Day, as many flocked to the cooling waters in an attempt to escape the heat that has gripped the area for the last week.

One of the most popular local gathering spots is Jacob Myers Park, which is uniquely positioned in both San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties; the entrance to the park is in San Joaquin County, while partway across the river is the Stanislaus County line.

Regardless of what county they traveled from, people had set up shade canopies near the river’s edge on Monday, Sept. 5, when the temperatures in the region soared past 105 degrees. Some took to the river in inner tubes, some had elaborate floating rafts, still others just splashed around and tried to keep cool.

The National Weather Service has continued to add days on the ‘Excessive Heat Warning’ that was first issued last week, now extending the high heat advisory through 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9.

This week’s forecast calls for a “prolonged period of dangerously hot conditions” with daytime temperatures possibly reaching up to 110 degrees. Limited overnight relief is anticipated. The first day without triple digits in the forecast is Saturday, Sept. 9 when the Escalon area has a predicted high of 96 degrees. From there, the relief is expected to continue, even reaching the upper 80s by the middle of the month.

Saturday, along with slightly lower temperatures, will also feature the annual Escalon Lions Club Autumn Cruise, the classic car show expected to bring hundreds of classic auto enthusiasts to town for a ‘Show and Shine’ beginning at 7 a.m.

Music, food, vendor booths, prize drawings and more will all be part of event, and proceeds go toward the Lions Club scholarship program.