This year Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21.
According to History.com the notion of Father’s Day was perceived a little over a century ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington. She was inspired when she attended a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who raised his six children on a farm. The mayor of Spokane proclaimed the first Father’s Day to be June 17, 1910. June was chosen because it is the month of Smart’s birth. However, the idea of Father’s Day was not an overly popular one for many years. Historians believe this is because men are less sentimental by nature and were at one time the main, if not the only bread winner in the family and receiving gifts that they basically paid for themselves made no sense. President Lyndon Johnson made the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966 when he designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon signed the public law to make Father’s Day a permanent fixture in 1972. Today there are more than 70 million fathers in the United States and economists estimate that Americans spend over $1 billion annually on Father’s Day gifts.
This Father’s Day we have put a list of six things you can do to honor the most important man in your life.
- Home-made gifts.
Father’s Day can be as elaborate or simple as you choose, and some Dad’s just want a simple, relaxing day. Make him breakfast in bed, and a homemade gift. Pinterest is full of amazing craft ideas that children can make for their fathers. A popular craft is hand and footprint art. You can use this list of 14 Father’s Day Keepsake Art as a reference. Another fun and sentimental gift would be to have your children answer a Father’s Day questionnaire about their Dad.
- Take Dad to the ball park.
The Diamondbacks will be playing at home from June 17-21 playing against the Padres. The perfect gift for the baseball loving Dad, and a fun time for the whole family!
- Visit a museum.
The MIM will be having a Family Drumming Workshop for Dads and Kids (—and Moms, Too!) on Father’s Day, June 21. This workshop is fun and relaxing—a great chance to make music and rhythm together. After basic instruction, the session will end with a thrilling jam session. All levels are welcome to join in the fun. Bring your own drum or use one of theirs. Classes start at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Tickets are $12.
Dads and Grandad’s will get free admission to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix on Father’s Day. From 10am-12pm kids can make their dad or grandpa a trophy to bring home.
- Grab a beer.
Prescott is hosting the Mile High Brew Fest on Saturday, June 20 from 1-6pm. beer samples from some of the Southwest’s finest craft breweries, outdoors in the pleasant air of a Prescott Summer. Enjoy performances by a variety of bands throughout the afternoon. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arizona.
Attend the Flagstaff Blues and Brews event Saturday, June 20. The festival will feature live blues music, craft beer from Odell Brewing Company, a microbrew tasting, vendors, delicious food, and a kid’s area! The festival lineup will include The Hoodoo Casters, R.D. Olson Blues Band, Harlis Sweetwater Band, Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience, and Shemekia Copeland. Proceeds benefit Restore Arts, helping to keep music and art in our local schools! Visit www.flagstaffblues.com for more information!
Join Reid Park Zoo and Craft Tucson for the 2015 Brew at the Zoo – Healthy & Hoppy. This event is also on Saturday, June 20. Proceeds will be used to help fund the building of a new health center for the Zoo’s animals.
Also on Saturday, June 20 is the Scottsdale Beer Palooza. There will be over 30 breweries represented and tons of food and fun. It is held indoors to avoid the summer heat of the Valley.
Arizona is also home to quite a few breweries. Many of them have beer tasting and a restaurant where you and the Dad in your life can sit down relax and enjoy a beer together.
- Activities and events for the outdoorsman.
A popular summer activity in Arizona is camping. If this is something your father/grandfather/husband enjoys, take him out this Father’s Day weekend. If you can’t get away this weekend, why not get him a gift that he can enjoy the next time you do?
Cabela’s is having a huge Father’s Day sale. Cabela’s has a wide selection of quality outdoor products to celebrate the number one outdoorsman in your life. Not only is Cabela’s offering a head start on gifts for Dad during Cabela’s 2015 Father’s Day Gift Sale, they have put together a Father’s Day Gift Guide packed with ideas that will help you choose the perfect gifts for the dad who lives for the outdoors. Whether he’s a hunter, shooter, fisherman, camper, head chef, boater or all of the above, Cabela’s has the right Father’s Day gifts to suit any taste.
Bass Pro Shops is also having a huge sale for Father’s Day. Also going on at Bass Pro on Saturday and Sunday Father’s Day weekend is their Gone Fishing event. There will be free fishing seminars, a catch and release pond, and more fun activities for the whole family.
- Eat, eat, and eat!
Restaurants all over the state will be hosting some kind of Father’s Day special. Look up your favorite to see what they have to offer.
Attend Chompie’s Father’s Day Feast. Dad will enjoy a free slice of Black and White 7-layer Cake with his meal. In addition, Chompie’s is rolling out a special one-day only Father’s Day menu! On his special day, dad can choose between all-you-can-eat BBQ Ribs or a Prix Fix menu that includes an appetizer, entrée and two sides. All meals come with a fresh bread basket and a free slice of Black and White Seven Layer Cake. Their full regular menu is also available all day.
Organ Stop Pizza presents the 2015 Father’s Day Musical Lunch June 21, 2015 at 11:30 AM in Mesa. Enjoy a pizza buffet and concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer at Organ Stop Pizza with your favorite dads, grandfathers and friends. Alcoholic beverages and ice cream available for additional charge. Tickets are available online at organstoppizza.com or you can purchase them in the restaurant gift shop. Advance ticket purchase is suggested.
Join Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Tucson for Father’s Day featuring a delicious 16oz Prime Rib served with mashed potatoes for $35. They will open early at 11am, so make your reservation today. Plus, enter to win a brand new golf bag along with Sullivan´s Steakhouse branded Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. Register in store only on Father’s Day, June 21.
Whatever it is you choose to do this Father’s Day weekend, the most important thing is to make sure he knows how much you love and appreciate him. Happy Father’s Day!