Whether the one who raised you is a biological father, stepfather or another male who's been the father figure in your life, Sunday is the day to say thanks and express your love for him. Instead of adding another tie to his collection, why not spend some quality time with him? Here's a roundup of events around the region to show Dad some love on Father's Day.
FATHER'S DAY CRUISING
Tennessee Aquarium's River Gorge Explorer
' Where: 201 Riverfront Parkway; meet in front of Imax Theater on Chestnut Street and Aquarium staff will escort guests to Chattanooga Pier
' When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18
' Admission: Aquarium members $38 adults, $30 children; nonmembers $48 adults, $40 children
' For more information: www.tnaqua.org
Celebrate with your father or grandfather aboard the River Gorge Explorer and experience Tennessee's Grand Canyon during a two-hour cruise.
This excursion is guided by an Aquarium naturalist who shares local history while helping guests spot wildlife from the top deck. Food will be catered by HoneyBaked Ham. Cash bar with wine, beer, soft drinks and water available during cruise.
Southern Belle Riverboat
' When: 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 18
' Where: The 1 p.m. cruise boards at Riverfront Parkway; follow M.L. King Boulevard to Riverfront Parkway, tell attendant you are there for the Southern Belle cruise to access to riverfront parking. The 5 p.m. cruise will board at 100 River St. on the North Shore beneath the Market Street Bridge.
' Admission: $38.90 adults, $19.90 children
' For more information: 423-763-1576
Spend a laid-back afternoon cruising the Tennessee River on a two-hour cruise that includes a tour of the pilot house. A barbecue buffet will be served featuring pulled pork and smoked chicken for sandwiches, coleslaw, cornbread dressing, baked beans, dessert, sweet tea and coffee.
Both cruises fill up quickly; reservations are required.
BACON, BLUES & BREWS
' Where: Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St.
' When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 18
' Admission: Free
' For more information: 423-648-2496
Dad can listen to blues music by Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers while sampling local craft beers. The whole family can enjoy lunch from one of the market's eateries or food trucks.
Or stop buy Chattanooga Market to pick out some fresh cuts of meat along with cheeses or produce from market vendors to fix dad a dinner fit for a king at home.
And don't forget a handmade gift for dad from one of the market's craftsmen.
A SPLASHY GIFT FOR DAD
' Where: Lake Winnepesaukah and SoakYa, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, Ga.
' When: Noon-8 p.m. Sunday, June 18
' Admission: Special Father's Day discount of $120 per carload of up to five guests
' For more information: 706-866-5681
Bring out Dad's inner child with an afternoon at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park & SoakYa water park. Sunday's guests will receive gate admission and unlimited rides for only $120 per carload of up to five guests. Additional guests are discounted also at $24 each.
Compare this to the usual unlimited-ride admission of $34.95 plus tax to see what a deal you're getting.
Dad can challenge the family on the new Winnie 500 racing slides at SoakYa Water Park, glide through the air aboard the Wave Swinger or enjoy a leisurely tour of the grounds in the antique cars. Then there are the classic attractions that have been part of the park since Dad was a kid: the antique carousel, boat chute and Cannon Ball roller coaster.
DINNER ON THE DINER
' Where: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road
' When: 6 p.m. Sunday, June 18; Saturday's 7 p.m. ride has sold out
' Admission: $74 in the Pullman car, $59 in the dining car; included in fee is a Chattanooga Lookouts ticket
' For more information: 423-894-8028
As the well-known song says: "Dinner in the diner, nothin' could be finer."
Ride the rails with Pop while enjoying a three-course meal in a vintage dining car or Pullman car. (Seats in the Eden Isle private office car have sold out.)
Tickets may be reserved on the TVRM website: www.tvrail.com. If you have special dietary needs, call the office before placing your order.
DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE
' Where: Patriot Hall, 320 Emberson Drive in Ringgold, Ga.
' When: 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17
' Admission: $35 per dad/daughter pair, $15 each additional daughter, ages 3 and under are free
' For more information: 706-503-1809
Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures are invited to treat their girls to an evening of dress-up, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, photos, entertainment and fun.
This daddy-daughter dance is sponsored by Royal Affair Pageants and Events and is open to anyone living in the surrounding area from Cleveland, Tenn., to Dalton, Ga. A portion of the night's proceeds will help fund free self-defense training for girls, teaching them how to protect themselves and avoid unsafe situations.
IF DAD'S A HISTORY BUFF
' Where: Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 Lafayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe
' When: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17; 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18
' Admission: Free
' For more information: 706-866-9241
Living historians will share accounts and experiences of men from the 58th North Carolina Infantry, a unit that participated in the attack on Snodgrass Hill during the Civil War.
Enjoy touring the battlefield with Dad, making sure to stop at Tour Stop 8 (Snodgrass Hill) to hear these guest historians at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
SURF AND TURF FOR DAD
' Where: Lookout Valley Winery and Wood Oven Pizza, 11848 Highway 41, Guild, Tenn.
' When: 2-7 p.m. CDT Sunday, June 18
' Admission: $65 per person, $140 per couple
' For more information: 727-499-8974
If Dad's a meat-and-potatoes man, take it up a notch and treat him to a filet and lobster at Lookout Valley Winery's Father's Day dinner.
The meal includes a certified Angus 8-ounce filet cooked in a hickory-wood-fired oven along with a 6-ounce Maine lobster tail, served with bread sticks, Caprese salad, rosemary-roasted red potatoes, green bean amandine and tiramisu for dessert. And, of course, a perfectly paired wine.
Reservations are required by 5 p.m. today, June 15.
FATHERS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
' Where: North Georgia Zoo and Farm, 291 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland, Ga.
' When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18
' Admission: $23 adults, $21 ages 2-12; dads get in free with paid child's admission
' For more information: 706-348-7279
Take a tour of the zoo to learn about fathers' roles in the animal kingdom and how animal fathers take care of their young.
Talk with dads who help out at the zoo and hear funny stories about human and animal dads.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce