Father's Day activities for the whole family
Looking for a way to spend some quality time with Dad Father's Day? Whether he loves exercise, cars, food or just relaxing outside, these events make it easy to plan a weekend together.
• Father's Day Car Show at Batavia VFW, 645 S. River St., Batavia, 630-761-8093; oldgoldcruisers.com
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 20
Price: Free
More than 200 classic American made cars are expected to be on display at the fundraiser for the VFW post. Food and drinks will be on sale.
• Father's Day BBQ Bonanza at The Chopping Block, 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 472-6700; thechoppingblock.net
Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 20
Price: $85
Even if your dad thinks he's the grill master, he can get some tips from this hands-on class on a covered patio. The course is limited to a dozen people, so you can be sure to get plenty of individual attention as you learn how to prepare skirt steak, bacon potato salad, baby back ribs and baked beans. After eating your handiwork, you can buy any tools used in the class for 15 percent off or anything else that strikes your fancy for 10 percent off. Beer is included, and you'll get copies of the recipes to take home.
• Country Financial Father's Day 5K at Gallery Park, Patriot Boulevard and Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, (847) 829-4536; countryfinancial5k.com
Time: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 19
Price: $30-$40
Planning on sharing a big meal Sunday? Get some exercise Saturday morning at a race through the park to raise money for Fathers Helping Fathers, a group that develops parenting programs and classes. Runners receive a T-shirt, a gift bag filled with healthy snack food, and water and sports drinks throughout the run.
• Father's Day Pig Gig at Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, La Fox, (630) 443-8253; hpmfarm.com
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 20
Price: $30; kids 13 and under pay their age
Families can bring their pets, lawn games and alcohol for a laid-back picnic. A similar event for Mother's Day brought out 400 people enticed by the promise of dining on salads made from farm produce, along with a buffet of hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, chicken and chips. Lemonade and iced tea are included and local beer and wine are available for purchase. The bluegrass group Nobody Nobody Sent performs and there will also be bags, kickball and horseshoe games.
"We have a lot of open space," said Anna Wilson, special events coordinator. "It's a barbecue where people can relax and hang out on the farm for the afternoon."
• Butchering demonstration at Corner Cooks, 507 Chestnut St., Winnetka, (847) 441-0134; cornercooks.com/p>
Time: 6:45 p.m. Saturday, June 19
Price: $65
Representatives from Al's Meat Market will show how a beef loin is broken down into tenderloin, tri tip and sirloin, while you sample all three types of meat served with a trio of sauces. Snack on appetizers including bacon-wrapped shrimp, fried onion rings and lamb burgers. Wine, beer and scotch are also available.
• Illinois St. Andrew Society's 24th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games at Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook; (708) 447-5092; chicagoscots.org
Time: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 18, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 19
Price: $12 to $17, children 12 and under admitted free
You don't have to be Scottish to have a blast at this annual festival. Events include a Highland dance competition, a British car show, live Celtic rock music on two stages and whiskey tastings. You can pick up a gift for Dad in the Celtic marketplace and feast on traditional Scottish cuisine. There are also plenty of kids' activities such as arts and crafts, mini-golf and a petting zoo.