Eight great ways to celebrate Father’s Day in and around Sacramento
From old-school bands to classic cars and a beer tasting train trip, here are eight great ways to show Pops he’s the world’s best dad this weekend.
George Thorogood and Brian Setzer, The Beach Boys, SuperHuey
Friday & Saturday, June 19 & 20 Take dad back in time this weekend with these three retro concerts. The high-energy combo of blues-rocker George Thorogood and rockabilly idol Brian Setzer will rock the Friday night stage at Thunder Valley Resort Casino, where Thorogood will play vintage tunes like “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” and “Bad to the Bone” with his band The Destroyers, while Setzer’s set will mix classic riffs (“(She’s) Sexy & 17,” “Stray Cat Strut”) with songs from his 2014 album Rockabilly Riot! All Original. Over at Cache Creek that same night, The Beach Boys—led by founding member Mike Love—will bring back old-school summertime melodies like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and “Kokomo.” And on Saturday, Sacramento-based seven-piece ensemble SuperHuey—a tribute to the working man’s band of the ’80s, Huey Lewis & The News—will perform the Grammy-winning group’s greatest hits like “Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “The Power of Love” and “Back in Time” at Harlow’s in midtown, as a warm-up act for the real deal who is coming to Thunder Valley in July. Prices, times and locations vary by event. thundervalleyresort.com. cachecreek.com. harlows.com
Dad’s Day at Denio’s
Saturday, June 20 Head to Denio’s Farmers Market in Roseville—the part-vendors’ fair, part-farmers’ market that made its debut in 1947—and check out more than 75 classic cars, including Denio’s own 1940s-era fire truck, gathered together by local car owners and clubs like Orangevale’s Cappuccino Cruisers Car Club. While the Roseville-based band Just Musik covers blues and rock hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, dad can sip on suds and chow down on street fair food like burgers, tacos, fries and Denio’s signature hand-dipped corn dogs. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Denio’s Farmers Market. 1551 Vineyard Rd. Roseville. 782-2704. deniosmarket.com
Mastermind Hunt: Sacramento
Saturday, June 20 Test dad’s Amazing Race skills during this interactive game that takes groups of people through downtown and midtown on an epic treasure hunt. The game will commence at the 1801 L Street courtyard, where teams (minimum of 2 people; max of 8) will receive their first riddle. Through deductive reasoning, basic trivia knowledge and a provided map, competitors will puzzle-solve their way around the grid between H and P streets and 10th and 24th streets, visiting Sacramento landmarks and historical sites, as well as hidden nooks and crannies, in search of clues. The first team to make it back to the start with the most number of correct answers wins. $20 ($25 after 8 p.m. June 19). 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Race begins at 1801 L St. mastermindhunts.com
Sacramento RiverTrain
Saturday & Sunday, June 20 & 21 The Sacramento RiverTrain, which runs between West Sacramento and Woodland, offers two opportunities to treat dad to a relaxing ride this weekend. The Father’s Day Beer Train on Saturday will feature tastings of such Northern California brewing companies as Sudwerk Brewing, Mad River Brewing Company, Ace Cider and Track 7 Brewing Co. poured into a 5-ounce souvenir glass, as well as tunes by the blues-rock band Blue-a-Fuse. An upgraded VIP ticket gets passengers two extra tastes and a dining option off the train’s pub grub menu. For a more all-ages family experience, get on board for the Father’s Day BBQ and Western Show on Sunday, during which a group of bandits act out a train robbery and are thwarted by a U.S. Marshall and his posse. Watch the epic battle continue in Woodland, where Ludy’s Main Street BBQ will be serving a picnic lunch of barbecued smoked meats like tri-tip and ribs, as well as traditional sides like cole slaw and potato salad. Prices and times vary by event. 400 N. Harbor Blvd. West Sacramento. 800-866-1690. sacramentorivertrain.com
Father’s Day Rides in Classics
Sunday, June 21 Dads will get in free at the California Automobile Museum this Sunday, which will roll out vintage vehicles for this second annual Father’s Day fete. Pops can hop into a retro ride like a 1932 Ford Model A roadster, a 1950 Chevy four-door sedan or a 1958 Ford Fairlane convertible, and cruise to and from Old Sacramento. Plus, vote for your favorite pony car at the museum’s newest exhibit "Mustang vs. Camaro: What Side Are You On?," which opens on Saturday, June 20. Little engine enthusiasts can sip on root beer floats made with Vic’s ice cream and visit the card-making station to craft Dad a handmade greeting. $8 (free for fathers). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. California Automobile Museum. 2200 Front St. 442-6802. calautomuseum.org
Father’s Day Tripel Play
Sunday, June 21 Treat Dad to brews and barbecue at Ruhstaller’s Farm + Yard in Dixon, where hops are grown for the Sacramento-based brewing company’s locally famous beers, and celebrating the launch of the Conrad Tripel—a California-style Belgian beer with a light body, 9.5 percent ABV and hints of yeast and banana—whose bottle label was designed by local artist Maren Conrad as part of Ruhstaller’s artist series. Chef Andrea Reiter, who works with Broderick Roadhouse team, will be cooking hearty lunch fare like smoked pheasant, Berkshire pork ribs and Wagyu tri-tip, as well as a bread pudding with wildflower honey frozen custard for dessert. Challenge dad to lawn games like cornhole and horseshoes while listening to live tunes by Manzanita, a Sacramento-based bluegrass duo. $40-$50 ($100 for family of four; $25 for ages 12 and under). Noon-8 p.m. Ruhstaller’s Farm + Yard. 8949 Olmo Ln. Dixon. 447-1881. ruhstallerbeer.com
Fathers & Feathers
Sunday, June 21 Answer the call of the wild at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center for a special Father’s Day nature program. At 1:30 p.m., naturalist Rachael Cowan will bring out some of the center’s resident raptors like Tanner, a red-tailed hawk, and Sophia, a tiny northern saw-whet owl, to discuss each bird’s defining features and attributes. While at the nature center, walk along one of the three self-guided trails on the 100-acre property that sidles up to the American River, and try to spot wildlife like coyotes, jackrabbits, deer and wild turkeys. Meander back to the Effie Yeaw's Discovery Room, where you can learn about reptiles and amphibians like the western pond turtle, gopher snake or skink lizard. Free ($2 suggested donation; $5 parking). 1:30 p.m. Nature Center is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Trails open from dawn till dusk. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. 2580 San Lorenzo Way. Carmichael. 489-4918. sacnaturecenter.net
Nevada City Classic
Sunday, June 21 Trek up to Nevada City for this 55th annual Father’s Day tradition, during which junior, professional, elite and master athletes will compete in one of the toughest cycling races in the world. (Past participants include Lance Armstrong, Greg LeMond and Alexi Grewal, the first cyclist to win the Olympic Gold medal for the U.S. in 1984.) Racers will start on Broad Street in downtown Nevada City and pedal uphill and around 90-degree turns on the 1.1-mile course before speeding downhill to cross the finish line. Spectators can cheer on local athletes—like Smartsville-based Robin Farina, the 2011 U.S. National Road Race Champion, and Erin Alders, who placed eighth in last year’s Nevada City Classic—or grab a cold beer from one of the Republic Brewery booths situated along the course. Don’t miss the kids’ race kickoff, in which youngsters tackle a portion of the course on tricycles at 12:30 p.m. Free. 12:30-6:30 p.m. Races begin at Broad St. and S. Pine St. Nevada City. 530.265.2692. nevadacityclassic.com
Dad Might Also Like
Ruhstaller opens its hop farm for classes
Sacramento Australian Football League to host the Western Regional Tournament in Davis
Legendary Sacramento radio station KZAP set for comeback
