Father’s Day Outdoor Fun
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- Published on Monday, 11 June 2012 16:43
- Written by Maria King
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Well to anyone who has been living under a rock for the last two weeks and doesn’t know, this week is Father’s Day. It’s the time of year when “Kiss the Cook” aprons are selling like hotcakes. Dad is the unsung hero, the grill master, the bike fixer, the bug killer; the one that you can depend on as much as you can depend on mom. Somehow though, he never seems to get the same appreciation level as mom. This year I hope to change all of that by giving you some great events that dad will love.
There are some excellent events that are heavily into things I think dads would like to see and do. They include the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show in North Kingston, the Cruise –In in Massillon OH, NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, KY, the Milwaukee Indyfest in West Allis WI and the Classic at Pismo Beach. All of these have major themes that most dads would like a lot. And all of them will also be great fun for anyone else who attends with him!
Most dads like being outdoors and so the focus is on big festivals that take place outdoors and have something dad will find to his liking. Most dads like cars and so many of the choices for this week have a car show as a theme or as a sort of a “value added” feature of the event. These events include Meeker Days in Puyallup, WA, Peoria Steamboat Festival in IL, Stone Arch Festival Minneapolis MN, the Great American Irish Festival in Irvine CA and Custer’s Last Stand Fair in Evanston, IL.
In addition I have a handful of events that I personally think dads would like and maybe there is one here that you might agree your dad would enjoy. They are the First Boating on the Arkansas in Salida CO, the Loudon Motorcycle Classic in Louden NH, Festival of Fish Vermilion, OH and the Frisco BBQ Festival Challenge in Frisco, CO.
AS always these are some suggestions of terrific events I think you might like to experience. If there are none on this list in your area, please be sure to use the search box above to find something in your backyard.
Whatever you do be sure to make it clear to dad how much you appreciate all that he has done for you. As Chris Rock says, “you never hear a kid say, thanks for the electricity dad”. Maybe on Father’s Day you might try saying it this weekend!
Custers Last Stand Festival of the Arts and Fair
Jun 16, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Historic Main Street Evanston, IL US 60201
Since 1972. It’s ranked as one of the region’s top art festivals but it is so much more than the average art festival. Over 30 food vendors offer a full international menu featuring the old favorites as well as new fare. The Festival Stage features some of Chicagoland's music legends. The Show Stage features a Native American Pow Wow on both days and there is a lot of entertainment going on both days. In Eiden Park the kids have a great time enjoying the kid centered exhibits, receiving free balloon sculptures and enjoying the amazing Jugglerman-Adam Zeisler. If that were not enough Piccolo Theatre presents the Marvelous Medicine Show extravaganza. Fifty variety performers perform throughout the fair amazing their audiences with juggling, magic, comedy, music, aerial acts and stage shows in Piccolo Theatre.
100,000 Attendees
Stone Arch Festival of Art and Music
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Historic Main Street Minneapolis, MN US 55401
Since 1979, over 250 visual artists of all media, 3 performances stages, Minnesota historical society guided tours, bands, car show, food market, pottery and sculpture demonstrations and more.
100,000 Attendees
RI National Guard Open House and Air Show
Jun 16, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Quonset State Airport North Kingston, RI US 02852
Since 1991, featuring premiere professional teams from the United States Armed Forces as well as aerial performers from around the world. The airshow offers the finest aerial and static dsplays along with activities for people of all ages. We are proud to be celebrating and will be featuring the USAF Thunderbirds. From its inception the show has operated with a simple creed; put on a world class show featuring only the best aircraft and pilots and operate the show totally for the benefit of the community. Plus Military Open House featuring military and civilian aviation and historic planes from Quonset Air Museum.
150,000 Attendees
Meeker Days Festival
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Downtown Puyallup, WA US 98371
Since 1939, features four main stages filled with great entertainment, over 130 arts and crafts booths, wine and beer gardens, children's zone, teen zone with skatepark, antique tractor display, classic car show, farmer's market and two food courts. The Meeker Days Festival lines 14 city blocks. Meridian Street Between East Main and 4th Avenue Southwest.
60,000 Attendees
Festival of Fish
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Victory Park Vermilion, OH US 44089
Since 1967, Vermilion's Festival of the Fish is one of the largest festivals in the area. Every year the City of Vermilion celebrates the sea on a grand scale with parades, boat parades, races, pageants, contests, food, entertainment, markets and much more. This is a "don't-miss" event of the year each Father's Day Weekend. On Friday young girls vie for the coveted title of princess or queen in one of the largest festival pageants in the county. Dozens of animals walk in the annual pet parade. Kids games take place at the gazebo.On Saturday the day kicks off with a 5K run and 1-mile walk sponsored by the YMCA and a Sand Castle Contest at Main Street Beach. The Crazy Craft Races take place at 1 pm on the Vermilion River. The event is open to all, so all you need is some imagination to build whatever kind of vessel inspires you. The annual Lighted Boat Parade takes place at dusk on the Vermilion River. The Annual Father's Day Parade steps off at 12:30 pm on Sunday. Don't miss the wet and wild Firefighters Water Fight immediately following the parade. Food, entertainment, vendors and beverages each day begining at noon in Victory Park.
40,000 Attendees
Great American Irish Fair and Music Festival
Jun 16, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Irvine Meadows Fairgrounds Irvine, CA US 92618
Since 1975, features 120 exhibitors displaying and selling their wares, carnival, 16 stages of musical entertainment with over 2,000 performers, antique auto show, parade, arts and crafts, dog show and more.
45,000 Attendees
First in Boating on the Arkansas
Jun 14, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Pine Creek Salida, CO US 81251
Since 1949, this event features international kayaks, rafts, canoes, food, entertainment and a carnival. The events take place in various locations around Salida. Located in Salida's historic downtown, Riverside Park is the center of FIBArk activity and entertainment. Food, arts and crafts, and industry vendors are available, as well as a beer tent, a carnival, and a state-of-the art amphitheater for this year's extraordinary musical line-up.
25,000 Attendees
Peoria Steamboat Festival
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 16, 2012
Riverfront Festival Park Peoria, IL US 61603
Since 1974, Peoria's largest Riverfront Festival located on the banks of the Illinois River and features carnival rides, craft booths, live entertainment, exhibits, water activities and a wide array of food.
80,000 Attendees
Loudon Motorcycle Classic Weekend
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
New Hampshire International Speedway Loudon, NH US 03307
Since 1924, AMA motorcycle races, one of America's oldest motorcycle race. Held at New Hampshire International Speedway. feature the U.S. Legend Cars International, which are powered by motorcycle engines, as well as motard (dirt bike) events on both a small mini-oval and the full road course. The 1.6-mile road course is famous for a variety of elevation changes and its challenging 12-turn layout. The legendary “Bowl” is one of the most exciting turns in road-course racing. All races will run rain or shine! Plus many festivities in Weirs Beach all week long.
40,000 Attendees
Milwaukee Indy Fest
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
The Milwaukee Mile at Wisconsin State Fair Park West Allis, WI US 53214
Since 1935, Andretti Sports Marketing is thrilled to bring the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the Milwaukee Mile, the longest continually operating speedway in the world. The Milwaukee IndyFest will rumble to life Father’s Day weekend, so plan to have your family join three generations of the Andretti family at the Milwaukee IndyFest. It will be racing, music and fun for all.
57,000+ Attendees
Cruise-On-In and Dance Party
Jun 16, 2012
Downtown Massillon Massillon, OH US 44646
Since 1989. Cruise-On-In and Dance Party, one of Ohio's largest car shows and one of Ohio's largest festivals, will kick off the summer cruise-in season with great vendor food, great antique, classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles, live entertainment, family fun and fireworks. Event is free to the public. Car registration is $15 and starts at 7 AM until 3 PM. Registrants will compete for "Best of Show". Dash Plaques to the first 500 registrants and goody bags.
100,000 Attendees
Classic at Pismo Beach
Jun 15, 2012 - Jun 17, 2012
Pismo at the Pier and Downtown Streets Pismo Beach, CA US 93449
Since 1987, Pier-side and throughout downtown Pismo Beach, one of Central California's finest seaside classic and street rod car shows. With hundreds of classic restorations and street rods. A 3- Day Classic Car and Street Rod event. Featured events are a Car Show and Shine, "Cruise Night" when hundreds of cars parade for thousands of spectators who line the streets, Live Entertainment, "The Hot Rod Bar and Grill" located pier- side and provides the venue for the outstanding live entertainment, live charity auction to benefit the Veterans, great food and drink, BBQ, Poker Run, Gala. Don't miss out sign up today!
125,000 Attendees
NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
Jun 14, 2012 - Jun 16, 2012
Beech Bend Raceway Park Bowling Green, KY US 42101
Since 2004. The annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky. is a three-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. The Reunion is part of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.
35,000 Attendees
Frisco Colorado BBQ Challenge
Jun 14, 2012 - Jun 16, 2012
Downtown Frisco Frisco, CO US 80443
Since 1994, Spring is here and the largest BBQ challenge in the state is heating up. The Frisco Colorado BBQ Challenge promises to be the best event in the state with something for everyone. Not your standard backyard BBQ, this year Frisco is offering free music , chef demonstrations, Pig Races, Circus performances, the Stranahan’s Rub it, Smoke it, Sip it tour and a whole lot more. So make plans today to spend your father’s day weekend in Frisco. The Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event provides state championship honors and brings more than 60 teams from Kansas to California for one smokin good time. The BBQ Challenge has something for everyone from live entertainment, games for kids, cooking demos, pig races, and of course eating Barbecue ’till your heart’s content – so catch “Barbecue Fever” in Frisco – BBQ with altitude.
35,000 Attendees
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
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