Chewbacca the camel reacts with open mouth as he gets a chin scratching from zoo employee Maddi Morehead at the Chattanooga Zoo. The dromedary is often available for rides for zoo visitors.Dads play a lot of roles in a family: protector, provider, purveyor of puns.
Today is the day kids (and moms) get to show their love and admiration.
Here are five fun ways to spend time with your No. 1 guy.
If Dad is your superhero:
How about a movie date with Dad? If we're letting Dad pick, the guy film "Tag" looks promising. It's based on a true story about five highly competitive friends who play a game of no-holds-barred tag for a month every year. But with its R rating, it's not so promising as a family outing. Also based on a true story is "Adrift," about two open-water sailors who barely survive a hurricane, but not even slam-bam weather can get Dad past the tagline: " Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved." The best bet for family viewing is the PG-rated "Incredibles 2," boasting a dad who's a superhero (voice of Craig T. Nelson). And it has the added bonus of Chattanooga native Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role as Frozone. Early reviews at film aggregate website RottenTomatoes.com have given it a 94 percent satisfaction score. Other possibilities for superhero dads: "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Solo: A Star Wars Story," both rated PG-13. Get showtimes at amctheatres.com or regmovies.com.
If Dad is your rock:
How about exploring one of Chattanooga's most rugged attractions? Self-guided tours along woodland paths, "see seven states" views and ancient rock formations have made Rock City a tourist draw since 1932. As part of Summer Music Weekends, Matt Downer will be playing his "Old Time Traveler" music today, and Highbeams will entertain with high-energy folk rock. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $22.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 3-12. www.seerockcity.com.
If Dad is your provider:
How about an amble through Chattanooga Market? The farm-to-table concept, a bedrock of provision, plays out here every Sunday among the produce vendors. And today the market will toast dads with its annual Bacon, Blues & Brews event. A dozen food trucks will be on-site, and local crafters will have an assortment of Father's Day gifts. Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers will provide the soundtrack for the day. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. www.chattanoogamarket.com.
If Dad is your protector:
Why not visit the wild things at Chattanooga Zoo? You can view all kinds of beautiful but fearsome critters - they'll remind him of you. Once you've seen all the snow leopards and alligators, spiders and snakes, you might even consider a ride on the camel. Let Dad go first, to show you there's nothing to fear. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 3-12. www.chattzoo.org.
If Dad is your go-to fun guy:
Then a visit to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park could be in order. There's a carload special today for admittance. Parties of four or five people pay $120 plus tax for unlimited rides in the amusement park and the adjacent water park, SoakYa. Each additional guest, after the fifth person, is $24 plus tax. (Normally the summer price is $27 per person plus tax.) Remember that you can bring in a cooler for a meal on the Picnic Grounds. www.lakewinnie.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.