Looking for something a little different to do with Dad this Father’s Day? From barrel racing in Alaska to an air show in Olympia, WA to, yes, skiing in June on Vancouver Island – here’s how to make Sunday, June 19 one to remember!
Rodeo Alaska, Anchorage, AK
Soak in the midnight sun while you root for your favourite barrel racer, ground roper or bull rider. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at William Clark Chamberlain Equestrian Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for military and kids eight and under are free. Learn more at rodeoalaska.com.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Whitehorse, YK
Fathers enjoy free admission on June 19 at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve! See iconic Yukon animals in large natural landscapes where you’re free to explore on foot or on a guided bus tour. Learn more about majestic wildlife and rehabilitation efforts while enjoying the summer scenery!
Fathers enjoy free admission on June 19 at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve! Jake Paleczny photo courtesy Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island, BC
Skiing in June? Mount Washington is reopening on Father’s Day weekend for snow sports AND zip lining. Weather permitting, the Whiskey Jack Chair will spin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, offering access to the Coaster (a Blue Run) and the Terrain Park. An unseasonably cold spring means there’s still a bit of slushy snow on top of the mountain, so why not take advantage! The Eagle’s Flight ZipTour will also be open for hourly tours.
Single-day lift tickets will are $29, and all fathers ski for free!
Free fishing, no license required, Across BC
B.C.’s annual Family Fishing Weekend falls on June 17 to 19, 2022. During the three-day event, residents of Canada (individuals who have lived in Canada for the preceding 12 months) can go fishing without a licence. There are some exceptions for protected species and protected waters.
Visit www.gofishbc.com to learn more and find an event near you — many locations offer free equipment rentals and advice for novice fishers!
The Fireside Social Orchestra Quartet will perform at Baker Cabin in Carver, Oregon with “trailgating” starting at 3 p.m. on Father’s Day.
Malahat SkyWalk, Vancouver Island, BC
Dads who come with at least one of their children will receive 50 per cent off admission and a free cookie on Sunday, June 19 at the Malahat SkyWalk. Explore the art and nature of the coastal forest, climb to the top for a spectacular view and then catch a thrill by taking the spiral slide back down!
Whitewater Tour, Kananaskis, AB
Dads raft free! Come whitewater rafting on the Horseshoe Canyon or Kananaskis Whitewater Tour and bring at least one full-paying rafter to accompany Dad. Make this a Father’s Day to remember in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with Canadian Rockies Rafting.
Olympic Airshow, Olympia, WA
Aerobatic demonstrations, exhibit aircraft from the Olympic Flight Museum collection, vendors and youth activities make for a full weekend of fun. See the AH-1 Cobra Gunship helicopter, plus a Second World War encampment with authentic military vehicles and uniformed personnel. Tickets are $15, and kids six and under are free.
Cheer up, Charlie Brown! Charles M. Schulz Museum in San Francisco is offering free admission to fathers on Father’s Day 2022. Photos by DJ Ashton courtesy of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center.
The birthplace of Father’s Day in Spokane, WA
After listening to a Mother’s Day sermon with her single father, Sonora Smart Dodd, a Spokane native, worked with the Spokane YMCA to create a holiday to honour dads. The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane in 1910, and eventually spread across the country.
Today, The Dodd Home is a private residence, but the outside can be viewed as part of Historic Spokane’s East Central Heritage Tour.
Full Moon Paddle at Willamette Falls, OR
Paddle out on the Willamette under the light of a silvery moon for a mystical experience. Then take it to another level, by paddling up to Willamette Falls to feel the mist on your face. Now that is mystical!
Rent a kayak, SUP or canoe for a 1.5-hour guided tour at $45 per person, or bring your own boat and take the tour for $30 per person.
Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 9 p.m. from Sportscraft Landing, 1701 Clackamette Dr., Oregon City. Learn more at enrgkayaking.com.
Stefanie Aguilar and Nuvia Ambriz pay tribute to a momentus milestone in the Civil Rights Movement with their chalk mural “Ruby Bridges 1960.” The Pasadena Chalk Festival returns Father’s Day Weekend in California, and admission is free. Brian Biery photo.
Music of the Oregon Trail, Carver, OR
The Fireside Social Orchestra Quartet is performing at Trail Music Night in the historic church at the Baker Cabin site, highlighting music of the Oregon Trail era and other 19th Century classics. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before or after the concert at 5 p.m; the site will be open for “trailgating” from 3 p.m. until dark.
Learn more at clackamasheritage.org.
Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
Experience the joy of Peanuts, learn more about the life of Charles Schulz, see original sketches and learn about the art of cartooning. Fathers enjoy free admission on Father’s Day!
Pasadena Chalk Festival, Pasadena, CA
With over 200 murals and over 500 artists, plus an Art Gallery and Silent Auction, Animation Alley and Chalk of Fame, a Children’s Art Area and live music, you can have a full, free Father’s Day at the Pasadena Chalk Festival. Learn more at pasadenachalkfestival.org
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