If you go back to 1908, you’ll find the roots of Father’s Day in a small town in West Virginia. While listening to a sermon at church, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd thought that fathers deserved the same type of recognition as mothers did. After her mother passed away, Sonora and her 5 siblings was raised by her father William Smart. The holiday became official in June 1910, the birth month of William Smart.
Do you need some ideas on how to celebrate with your special Dad? Fun and original Father’s Day events will take place on Sunday, June 21st all around the US to celebrate our great Dads. Here are some exciting things to do that day across the US in AZ, CA, IL, NC, NY, PA, VA, WA and WI.
7th Avenue between 50th & 51st
New York (Manhattan), New York
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Harlem Hip-Hop Tours, specializes in tours and events relating to Harlem and New York City's hip-hop industry. The Father's Day Hip-Hop Tour is a 3-hour driving tour of NYC's most famous hip-hop and Harlem related sites. The tour features a live DJ and MC on the bus who serve as the tour guides throughout the trip. Not only do the DJ and MC conduct the tour, but they also provide live performances and incorporate audience participation similar to hip-hop karaoke.
Pick-up and drop-off for the tour is 7th Avenue between 50th & 51st streets.
Adults - $42; Children - $37
Pier 62, Chelsea Piers
New York (Manhattan), New York
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With the Spirit of New York’s Father’s Day Lunch and Dinner Cruises, the whole family will have the opportunity to wow Dad with a festive buffet and DJ entertainment, all while sailing the Hudson River with the Manhattan skyline as the breathtaking backdrop. Dads will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa.
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, Virginia
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Spend Father’s Day with the Father of Our Country! “General Washington” greets visitors and poses for photographs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Father’s Day, June 21. Listen to General Washington as he discusses his role as husband, stepfather, and Father of Our Country at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. in the program “Father to the First Family”. With a purchased ticket to Mount Vernon, fathers visiting the estate will receive complimentary admission to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South.
Admission to Mount Vernon is $15 for adults and $7 for children.
Admission to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill is $4 for adults and $2 children. Children under 5 are admitted free.
101 Swamp Rd.
Newtown, Pennsylvania
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On Saturday June 20th, starting at 9:30 am, Men's Initiative's (dedicated to Men’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being) is hosting a Father’s Day Weekend Family Disc Golf Game at the beautiful Tyler State Park. You can register online (by Thursday June, 18th to save $5 and receive a free disc).
Adults: $20 in advance; $25 day of event - Kids 12 and under: $10 in advance; $15 day of event
1199 Hilts Road
Wrightsville, Pennsylvania
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The Nixon County Parks’ Summer Solstice Celebration will take at the Highpoint Vista and Recreation Area from 5:30 am to 1 pm on June 21st. You will stand in front of the same 360 degree panoramic vista that the Susquehannock Indians stood and watched the start of summer. Present members of various American Indian tribes will share in a sunrise ceremony along with you and your family.
Admission to this event is free but reservations are required. To make your reservations contact Nixon County Parks at 717-428-1961.
201 East Hargett Street
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Sunday, June 21, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, dig it, doze it, design it, develop it with Dad at the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. From the ground to the sky, explore design and building throughout the museum. Climb into the driver's seat of a bulldozer and dig in our pint-sized sandpit. Design your own house or skyscraper and build it with recycled materials to help create a KidCity. Regular museum admission of $5 per person (children >1 are free) applies. Museum members receive free admission.
2400 E Geneva St
Delavan, Wisconsin
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On June 21st, Fathers get what they really want at Lake Lawn Resort’s Father’s Day beer brunch: delicious brunch, free beer, golf, beautiful surroundings, all that surrounded by their loved ones.
Eat at the Frontier Restaurant from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $25.95 for adults, $12.95 children age five to 12, and free for children four and under. In addition to the brunch, kids can show their fathers how much they really love them by winning a round of golf for four at Lake Lawn Resort golf course with the Father’s Day putting contest.
You can also go fishing and boating with rentals from Lake Lawn Water Sports or just play golf.
For reservations call 262-725-9051
2200 W. Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois
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On Sunday June 21st, have dad enjoy some live horse racing at Arlington Park and let the kids have fun with the pony rides and petting zoo. Purchase your tickets today by clicking here! Tickets starts at $7.
6136 E. Baseline
Mesa, Arizona
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On June 20th, go to the Rockin' R Ranch and treat your father to a chuck wagon-style dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a stage show at 7:30 p.m. that includes the Western music and comedy act, Rockin' R Wranglers. The Father's Day celebration concludes with an old-fashioned gunfight near the OK Corral at 8:30 p.m.
PRICE: $18 - $28 : $28 for adults; $25 for seniors; $18 for children
Sloat Boulevard and 19th Avenue
San Francisco, California
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Bring a picnic and blanket and attend the free summer concert held at 2:00 pm at the Stern Grove. Roberta Flack and Davel Crawford will play for Father’s Day .
From 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. before every concert each season, kids of all ages are invited to participate in hands-on arts projects and programs at the KidStage in the West Meadow.
5355 Graham Hill Road
Felton, California
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Treat dad to a steam train ride and chuck wagon BBQ and listen to the sounds of live country entertainment. Each dad receives an engineer’s cap. One lucky Dad is selected per train to ride down the mountain in the cab of the locomotive.
289 Mare Island Way
Vallejo, California
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Dad will become a kid again at the Vallejo Pirate Festival.
Sat. June 20 10am to dusk; Sun. June 21 10am to 6pm – Free admission, click here for directions
Just check out their photo gallery and you know you will want to go! They even encourage you to come dressed as pirates.
8593 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California
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For the healthy, organic Dad, celebrate Father’s day at the first annual O!burger’s O! Birthday Bash and enjoy 15% off your organic meal and drinks all day. O’ Burger’s is the first all organic burger joint in LA. From 12pm - 3pm O!burger will be hosting raffle giveaways, organic vendor samples, free massages,eco-friendly face-painting for kids, and even a Pilates demonstration!
10201 NE Fourth St.
Bellevue, Washington
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The Father's Day Funathon is geared towards single parent fathers and their children. There is no admission charge and it will be held at the Bellevue Downtown Park located on Bellevue Way (adjacent to Bellevue Square Mall) on Saturday, June 20, 2009 between 11 am and 2 pm. There will be lots of fun activities, games, and entertainment and is a fabulous place for single dads and their children to hang out.