By Savannah Behrmann, Koo Hwangbo, Juliane Kim, Sophie Reardon and Katherine Rohloff
Find a Fest for Dad
Whether your dad is a foodie, music nerd or car buff, there’s a DMV festival this Father’s Day weekend suited to his unique interests.
Crystal City Father’s Day Auto Festival
June 19, 2-6 p.m., Crystal City
This Crystal City fest will boast a variety of electric, sports and muscle cars sure to fascinate the road warrior in your life. There will also be a plethora of activities for kids, a beer and wine garden and live music.
Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival
June 19, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Old Town Manassas
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax on the Manassas Museum lawn while enjoying a bottle of wine, lunch from gourmet food concessions and live jazz performances from the likes of Dave Wilson Quartet and Marcus Johnson.
D.C. Jazz Festival
June 10-19, D.C. Alley Museum, Yards Park, The Hamilton
D.C. Jazz Festival is one of the highlights of the DMV’s music fests, and it’s a great way to spend this Father’s Day. With the last day of the festival landing on the holiday, bring your music-loving dad out to events held at the D.C. Alley Museum, Yards Park and the Hamilton. Sunday’s performers include Kamasi Washington, Igmar Thomas and the Revive Big Band with Talib Kweli and more. Tickets for each event can be purchased online.
Annual Father’s Day Car Show
June 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Warrenton
Classic and antique cars, hot rods and motorcycles will line Main Street this Father’s Day. But even if dad’s the only one into cars, there will also be live music, local museums and historic walking tours suited for the whole family.
Hardywood Father’s Day Keg ‘N’ Oyster Fest
June 19, noon-6 p.m., Richmond
Make an daylong excursion to Richmond to sip beer and munch on oysters at Haywood Park Craft Brewery this Father’s Day. Proceeds benefit oyster replenishment and the James River Association. Live music will include Exebelle & the Rusted Cavalcade, Continental Clouds and River City Band.
Boardwalk Art Show & Festival
June 16-19, Virginia Beach
Though it will require a bit of a journey, you can spend the entire Father’s Day weekend with the creative-minded dad in your life at the Boardwalk Art Show & Festival in Virginia Beach. Check out the work of more than 3,000 artists while taking in the oceanfront vista.
Taste of Reston
June 17-18, Reston
Why wait until Sunday to celebrate dad? Spend the weekend at Taste of Reston, one of the largest outdoor food festivals in the region. Two days of delicious food from area restaurants and community vendors, live entertainment on three stages and family fun await pops at Reston Town Center on Friday and Saturday.
Take Dad for a Father’s Day Brew
Some of the best American breweries call NoVA home. Take dad to these festivals, breweries and restaurants to enjoy the tastes of local suds on his big day.
Festivals
Hop Blossom Craft Beer Festival: The Hop Blossom Festival will be Winchester’s first beer festival and will take place on the Old Town Mall. It will feature more than 40 craft breweries from the region and beyond along with live entertainment. There is no fee for general admission, but only those with valid IDs can participate in tastings. // Old Town Winchester Walking Mall, Loudoun Street, Winchester
Father’s Day Cornhole Tournament at Old Bust Head Brewing Co.: A fast-paced cornhole tournament made up of teams of two—a father and son or daughter—will have the chance to win a case of beer for dad and root beer floats for the kids. The first tournament will begin at 2 p.m., and the second will begin at 4 p.m. Both will last approximately an hour. The Bone, a barbecue food truck, will cater the event. // Old Bust Head Brewing Co., 7134 Lineweaver Road, Warrenton
Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest 2016: At the BrewFest, dad can learn how the more than 60 breweries in attendance make their beer, try the 85 different kinds available and even learn how to make his own batch. There will be summer food classics such as chicken wings and barbecue to pair with the brews. Kids can enjoy face-painting, moon bounces and rock climbing, and the whole family can gather to listen to live music. The BrewFest will be held June 18 and 19 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. // 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
Father’s Day Specials
Father’s Day and Live Music from Jack Kilby at Port City Brewing: From noon-6 p.m. on Father’s Day, dad can go to Port City Brewing for a live jazz performance by local artist Jack Kilby. The event will also have giveaways for dads and a Rocklands BBQ food truck. Brewery tours are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and can be booked on Port City’s website. // 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
Mad Fox Brewing Co.: Take dad to Mad Fox in Falls Church for a Father’s Day prime rib buffet brunch. The restaurant and brewery offers a long list of its beers for dad to choose from, or if he can’t decide on just one, he can get the four-beer sampler. // 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Restaurants and Breweries
Rustico: The family-friendly restaurant offers more than 400 bottled craft beers, and the selection is constantly changing. The restaurant is the perfect place to take dad and the kids out for a dinner, or if you would prefer takeout, you can pick up a pizza and six-pack to go. // Locations in Alexandria and Ballston
Virtue Feed and Grain: This charming restaurant in Old Town offers a unique option for dads looking for a spiffy brew: a beer cocktail called a hoptail. While dad enjoys his hoptail, the rest of the family can nosh on fresh fish tacos or spring tagliatelle either in the rustic-inspired restaurant or on the tree-covered patio. // 106 S. Union St., Alexandria
Spend Father’s Day with the Founding Fathers
Whether your father is a history aficionado or just wants to experience the rich history of Virginia, embark on a Founding Fathers adventure this Father’s Day.
Father’s Day Weekend at Mount Vernon
June 18 and 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Travel back in time and meet the First Father of the United States, George Washington. Listen as he presents an inspiring “Father of the First Family” speech, expressing his experience as a husband, stepfather and the first president of the country. Then stop by the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant for a special barbecue lunch that will hit the spot for even the hungriest of dads. Then, take in the sights and sounds of nature while strolling the garden paths to Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill, where you can watch a demonstrator perform the age-old process of making whiskey. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Free Father’s Day Tours at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
June 19, 1-5 p.m.
Celebrate Father’s Day the George Washington way by treating dad to a meal at George Washington’s favorite eatery and oasis, the Gadsby Tavern, which is now a museum. Tours of the tavern are free for all fathers. // 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria
Dads are Free on Father’s Day at Montpelier
June 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walk in the footsteps of James Madison and experience the charming vista he admired every day at his beloved home, Montpelier. For Father’s Day, dads are admitted free of charge if they are accompanied by a paying child. They can also go on complimentary tours of the house and grounds available throughout the day. // 11350 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station
Free Father’s Day Tour of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Home
June 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Take a day trip to Thomas Jefferson’s treasured summer home, Poplar Forest, with your No. 1 dad this Father’s Day. When he was staying at Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s most frequent guests were his grandchildren. Immerse yourself in the third president’s retreat and take your dad on a tour of the beloved architectural designs, exhibits, rolling landscape and the archeological discoveries found on Jefferson’s plantation. // 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest
An Outdoor Father’s Day Adventure
If your dad prefers spending the bulk of his free time outdoors partaking in his favorite hobby, a perfect Father’s Day gift could simply be spending quality family time doing that beloved extracurricular activity. Whether he’s a fisher or golfer, there’s a nearby NoVA event he will love:
Father’s Day Fish-a-Rama
Nothing is more satisfying than reeling in a giant fish, but it’s not just about the catch—it’s about the relaxation, listening to the sounds of nature and creating lasting memories with dad. Take dad to Great Country Farms on Father’s Day to compete in its Fish-a-Rama contest, a catch-and-release contest where participants cast lines for catfish, bass and bluegill from the stocked ponds. Prizes are given to contestants who hook the largest fish and reel in the largest quantity during the Power Hour. Bryan Kelly, a 1994 BASS Master qualifier, will demonstrate spin-tackle and fly-casting. // Great Country Farms: 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont
Father’s Day Trail Ride and Campfire Lunch
Take the equestrian in your life to Reba Farm in Bedford to participate in its Father’s Day Trail Ride and Campfire Lunch. Explore the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains during a two-hour ride with the family. Afterward, you can head to the barn for a western-style lunch by the campfire. // Reba Farm: 1818 Owl Town Road, Bedford
Father’s Day Golf Tournament
If your dad loves the green, spend Sunday putting your swings to the test at Oak Marr Golf Course. Father-and-child teams will compete during Oak Marr’s annual Father’s Day Tournament in a two-team scramble format. The tournament opens at 9 a.m., when teams will be divided based upon the child’s age: 8-10 years old and 14-17 years old. Trophies will be given to winners in each bracket. // Oak Marr Golf Course: 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton
Father’s Day at Kings Dominion
Travel a little bit farther for a Father’s Day filled with thrills. Kings Dominion theme park is packed with sky-scraping roller coasters and twisting and turning water rides—perfect for the dad who loves an adventure. On Father’s Day, season pass-holders can bring guests for a reduced price of $19. // Kings Dominion: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell
Father’s Day at Salamander Resort & Spa
Venture to the Middleburg resort for an outdoor escape this Father’s Day. On Sunday, dad can soar through the sky during Salamander’s Tree Top Zip Tour. His fearlessness will be rewarded with a free draft beer at the Gold Cup bar afterward. If, however, he would rather keep his feet safely planted on the ground, he can still spend the weekend in the great outdoors by either exploring the grounds’ expansive woods and fields during a countryside trail ride or trying his hand at an archery class or one of three fishing programs offered in the resort’s Guy’s Day Out package. Dads receive 50 percent off both the countryside trail rides and Guy’s Day Out package. // Salamander Resort & Spa, 500 N Pendleton St, Middleburg
Subscription Box Gift Guide
Instead of simply buying the tried-and-true tie for dad this Father’s Day, give him a subscription box tailored to his interests. Subscription boxes are monthly or even weekly gift boxes filled with items based on a certain theme, such as Club W wine boxes or the fresh ingredients found in Blue Apron boxes. Subscription services have become popular among enthusiasts and make creative and thoughtful gifts for loved ones. With all of the variety now available, there’s a gift for just about every kind of dad.
For dapper dads:
Birchbox Man: Skin care products and grooming kits, $20 per month
Five Four Club: Individual customized clothing, $60 per month
Beard Care Club: Beard maintenance and grooming products, $7.50 per month
Dollar Shave Club: Razors and shaving products, $1-$9 per month
For dads who like to cook:
Carnivore Club: Artisanal cured meats and charcuteries,$50 per month
RawSpiceBar: Recipes and three spices with a regional theme, $6 per month
Blue Apron: Recipes and ingredients, $59.94 per week
Taste Club: Artisan food products, $22-$45 per month
Bon Recipe: Recipes, grocery lists and coupons, $6.99 per month
For beer enthusiast dads:
Microbrewed Beer Club: Select beers from microbreweries, $27.95 per month
Craft Beer Club: Three or four different kinds of craft beers, $39 per month
Artisan Brew Club: Recipes and homebrewing kit for pale or dark beers, $19-$54 every two months
Noble Brewer Artisan Beer Box: Homebrew-inspired craft beers, $44 per quarter
Rare Beer Club: Hand-selected rare and exclusive beers, $35.95-$70.95 per month
For wine-lover dads:
Club W: Customized selections of wine, $52 per month
Cellars Wine Club: Selections of wine bottles, $29-$389 per shipment
Global Wine Cellars: Selections of international bottles of wine, $44.95-$150 per shipment
Gold Medal Wine Club: Selections of small-production wine, $37 -$179 per shipment
Wine Awesomeness: Selections of different wines with an accompanying guide, $45-$75 per month
For dads who like tea:
ChaTale Tea Box: Loose-leaf teas from international independent tea farms, $9.16 per month
Simple Loose Leaf: Four different loose-leaf teas from around the world, $5-$7.50 per month
Teabox: Fresh loose-leaf teas from India, $16.67-$36.66 per month
Timely Tea: Teas designed to expand the palate, $14.95-$34.95 per month
Art of Tea: Curated selections of teas and expert guides, $15-$18 per month
For dads who like snacking:
Love with Food: Organic, all-natural, GMO-free or gluten free snacks, $7.99-$19.99 per month
BoCandy: International candy and snacks, $15-$40 per month
Mantry: Artisan snacks such as bacon spread and jerky delivered in handmade wooden crate, $75 per month