Take Dad to one of these seven fun-fueled events in the region on Father's Day weekend
Whether Dad is into biking, beer, bluegrass, barbecues or Batman, tell Pops he's the tops by taking him to one of these seven fun-fueled events around town on Father's Day weekend.
Father’s Day Festival
June 15-18 At the 43rd incarnation of this annual Grass Valley festival, some of the most famous names in bluegrass, like seven-time Grammy nominee Doyle Lawson and Grand Ole Opry member Bobby Osborne, are set to perform. Visit a workshop to take songwriting lessons with Los Angeles-based country and bluegrass band The Brombies, or learn to play the fiddle with North Carolina-based quartet The Piedmont Melody Makers. Kids can get their faces painted while you sip Sierra Nevada brews and vino from Guglielmo Winery. Meander through the booths with musical instruments, art, clothing and jewelry for sale or grab some Mexican and Thai food before heading back to your seat at the main stage. $15-$170 (Free for ages 15 and under). Thurs.-Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nevada County Fairgrounds. 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley. fathersdayfestival.com
Wizard World Comic Con
June 16-18 At this yearly comic convention, Dad can join fanboys and fangirls to peruse aisles of graphic novels (from indie publishers and genre giants like DC and Marvel alike), jump on gaming systems to beat out the competition in bouts of Super Smash Bros. and Street Fighter V, and participate in a cosplay costume contest. This year’s cavalcade of celeb guests includes Val Kilmer (Batman Forever), Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, Total Recall), Nichelle Nichols (the original Uhura in Star Trek), Hercules star Kevin Sorbo, and Sean Gunn, who plays Kraglin in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and portrayed quirky Kirk on Gilmore Girls. $45-$80 in advance; $55-$90 day of. Fri. 4-9 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sacramento Convention Center. 1400 J St. 808-5291. wizardworld.com
Nevada City Classic
June 17-18 This is not your dad’s bike race. Nevada City’s 57th annual 1.1-mile course is considered one of the most technically and physically challenging in the U.S. and has been conquered by famed cyclists like three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond. Watch riders fly by at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour at the finish line on picturesque Broad Street or close to the action at Ol’ Republic Brewery’s two beer stations. If Dad feels like stretching his muscles, the weekend includes a variety of events for outdoor enthusiasts, like a run along the bike race course and a gravel ride with a lunch catered by local restaurants Matteo’s Public and Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. Prices and times vary by event. Nevada City. 530-264-6364. nevadacityclassic.com
Father’s Day at the California Automobile Museum
June 18 If your Daddy-o won’t stop spouting classic car facts, Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to feed his obsession. In addition to the California Automobile Museum’s regular lineup of vehicles—like Erik Estrada’s Kawasaki KZ1000 motorcycle from the 1970s sitcom CHiPs and a 1925 Chrysler sedan—docents will be giving rides to the nearby marina and back in some of the museum’s classic cars. Let Pops call shotgun before you hop into the likes of a red 1938 Buick or a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. When you get back to the museum, drop by the fire truck exhibit to check out the 1921 Graham engine once used to save lives in Sacramento. Dad’s mini-me can also blow off steam by coloring and playing with toy cars at a kids’ zone called Sparkplug Square. $5-$10 (Free for fathers until 4 pm and for kids under 4). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. California Automobile Museum. 2200 Front St. 442-6802. calautomuseum.org
Father’s Day BBQ
June 18 A day after its 90th birthday party, the Sacramento Zoo will honor papas, both human and animal, including Chifu the giraffe and Elmo the mongoose lemur at this barbecue with complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and chips on one of the zoo's lush lawns. After lunch, the whole family can participate in lawn games like cornhole or life-size versions of Jenga and Connect 4. Your ticket grants you access to the entire zoo, so stop by the North American river otters’ habitat and introduce yourself to some of the zoo’s newest four-legged residents—1-year-old Kai and 3-year-old Jackson. $23-$28 through June 12; $25-$30 from June 13-18. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Dr. 808-5888. saczoo.org
Father’s Day Lunch
June 18 A favorite local destination for weddings, the historic Park Winters inn will open up its bucolic 10-acre property on Father’s Day for an upscale barbecue that includes a tour of the European-style gardens by co-owner Rafael Galiano, followed by a cocktail hour. A buffet lunch with farm-fresh entrées by executive chef John Iacono will feature brown-sugar-glazed pork ribs and smoked chicken with jerk sauce, along with sides like Thai potato salad and compressed watermelon, and a dessert of triple chocolate mousse. After lunch, Dad can jump in the heated saltwater pool and spa, relax in a cabana, or lead the family in a round of cornhole. $65. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 27850 County Road 26. Winters. 530-669-3692. parkwinters.com
Open Cockpit Day
June 18 Calling all aviation aficionados and photographers: for the first time on Father’s Day, the Aerospace Museum of California will open up about 20 of its best-known aircraft for you to climb inside. Check out the likes of the Albatross (a Coast Guard plane that could land on water and in snow), the Jolly Green Giant helicopter, and the EC-121 Constellation surveillance aircraft, which was used to patrol the coastline. Dad can take the little ones to the kids’ zone for puzzles, coloring and a ride in a flight simulator, grab a snack from one of the local food trucks on site, or check out the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit for a glimpse at early flying inventions. $12-$15 (Free for fathers and kids under 5). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aerospace Museum of California. 3200 Freedom Park Dr. McClellan. 643-3192. aerospaceca.org
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