How to Go to Traditional Father's Day Events

Father's Day is all about tradition. Just as the bigger holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving are steeped in tradition, there are some things without which Father's Day wouldn't be complete. Traditions may vary from family to family, but you should always make time to go to your family's Father's Day events.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Attend the Father of the Year awards. This annual event, held in New York City, is sponsored by the Father's Mother's Council, Inc (see Resources below). Outstanding fathers from around the country who have been nominated by their families or communities are honored at this black-tie gala gathering.
2. Take a Father's Day cruise. Many local and regional cruise lines have annual Father's Day outings that welcome the entire family. Hornblower Holidays has an especially well-known annual Father's Day dinner cruise, with points of departure in San Francisco, Marina Del Rey, Berkeley, San Diego and Newport Beach (see Resources below).
3. Check out the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival, which is held every year in Grass Valley, California and sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association. Now in its thirty-third year, the event has become something of a Father's Day institution. The 2008 dates are June 12 to 15. Camping is available at the festival, as are RV hookups. Find more information and order tickets at the festival's website (see Resources below).
4. Take him out to the ballgame. If there's a number-one traditional Father's Day activity, this is it. Go to a local or minor-league game, or visit Major League Baseball's official website to see the game schedule (see Resources below). A number of teams usually play on the third Sunday in June.
5. Head to an air show, boat show or car show. Lots of communities host these events on Father's Day, and most dads love to attend. Examples include the Annual Father's Day Fly-In at the Columbia Airport in California, the Annual Father's Day Car Show in Murietta, California and the Bay Harbor Lake Marina Annual Father's Day Boat Show in Bay Harbor, Michigan.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan in advance. Father's Day is the third Sunday of June. Clear your schedule for that day at least a month ahead of time, so you'll be available to go to traditional events with your family.
• Help young children pick out appropriate gifts for Dad on Father's Day. Explain to them what Dad likes and what kinds of gifts are traditional in your family. Take them shopping, and use the time to explain the significance of Father's Day to them. If the children need money to purchase a gift (and most do), give them a few dollars and show them two or three things they can buy with it.