Father’s Day is coming up, and before you trot out the same old ideas (backyard BBQ, anyone?), we’ve got a few unique things to do to celebrate Dad. Spend the day admiring all the sports cars and collectibles of the past at the Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show in Atlantic Highlands, lace up your running shoes and get moving at the Point Pleasant Boro Rotary Father’s Day 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run, or get ready for rides and shows at the Tri-County Fair in Rockaway. And beyond Father’s Day, you can plan plenty of other events together for June or find festivals during the summer. (feature photo:istock/Julie Clopper)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Tri-County Fair
June 18-21
This Father’s Day fair will entertain the whole family. Listen to live music, sample food, and jump on lots of rides like The Zipper, The Fun Slide, and the Ferris Wheel, and see an acrobat extravaganza and drone light shows.
Cost: Free to enter, $5 per vehicle
140 Green Pond Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Father’s Day Weekend Sports Card and Collectibles Show
June 19-21
This Father’s Day weekend, head to the Sports Card & Collectibles Show to explore a wide variety of collectibles, novelties, autographed memorabilia, sports card releases, and apparel.
Cost: Free
Moorestown Mall, 400 NJ-38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show
June 20
What could be more classic for Father’s Day than a car show? Spend the morning at this annual show featuring all the classic, antique, and unique cars of the past. There will also be vendors, food trucks, trophies, entertainment, and goodie bags. The rain date is June 27.
Cost: $15 before 5/31 and then $20 at the door
First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Open Cockpit Weekend at the Aviation Hall of Fame
June 20
Climb into the cockpit of a very rare Lockheed Bushmaster plane and a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter. Don’t miss the interior of the M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter made famous during the Korean War. There will also be an International Space Station display, featuring uniforms and items used by Buzz Aldrin and other notable astronauts.
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for children under 12, children 2 and under are free
400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ 07608
Point Pleasant Boro Rotary Father’s Day 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Run
June 20
Come to Community Park to run and raise money for Rotary charities. Awards will be given to the top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female overall finishers and the top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female finishers in each age group.
Cost: $20 and up
Corner of Bridge Avenue & Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant Boro, NJ US 08742
Freshwater Fishing Derby
June 20-21
Celebrate Father’s Day at the annual freshwater fishing derbies for beginners and experienced anglers. Experienced staff will provide free hands-on clinics to show you how to cast and rig and answer any questions. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. A container of worms is included with each registration.
Cost: $28 per family of 4; $9 per person
Manasquan Reservoir and Turkey Swamp Park
Father’s Day Weekend at the Winery
June 20-21
Is there a better way to spend Father’s Day weekend than sipping wine and lite bites? Kids can have fun visiting the barnyard, playing on the tractors, walking on the farm trail, and listening to live music, while you taste local wines.
Cost: $2 off admission for dads
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Miller Farms Monster Truck Show
June 20-21
Witness monster trucks perform daring and dangerous stunts, quad racing, and more at Miller Farm’s Monster Truck Show to kick off Father’s Day weekend. Enjoy the ultimate Pit Party two hours before the start of the show, which includes a meet-and-greet with the drivers, photo ops, food trucks, a Kid Zone, and more.
Cost: General admission is $30. Admission for children is $15
Miller Farms, 134 N Grove St, Berlin, NJ 08009
31st Annual Father’s Day Cruise To The Jersey Shore Car Show On The Oceanfront
June 21 at 9 AM
Cruise over with dad to see rods, customs, classics, and race cars. There will be food, a DJ, and shopping at the adjacent Pier Village. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Central and Northern NJ.
Cost: $15 spectators fee
100 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Brook Hollow Winery’s Classic Cars, Cookout, and Corks
June 21 at 11 AM
Visit Brook Hollow Winery for their Annual Father’s Day event, featuring a car show, delicious food, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Cost: Free to attend, food will cost extra
594 State Highway 94, Columbia, NJ 07832
Cranford Jaycees Father’s Day Fishing Derby
June 21
Bring your rods to the pond stocked with fish for the Leonard Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Fishing Derby.
Cost: Free
Nomahegan Park, 1024 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016
Earthquake Father’s Day Show
June 21 at 7 PM
Comedy sensation Earthquake returns with his Father’s Day Comedy Show. This year’s event features guest stars Mr. Bishop, Junior, D’Lai, TK Kirkland, and Donnell Rawlings.
Cost: Tickets are $55+
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Father’s Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
June 21
Take a spin on the boardwalk—on Father’s Day, Dads receive FREE admission with a paid child admission to the Amusement park, Aquarium, Mini Golf, Fun House, Adventure Lookout Ropes Course, Castaway Cove Mini Golf Course, and Lighthouse Point Mini Golf.
Cost: Prices vary per attraction
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Father’s Day at Monmouth Racetrack
June 21 at 12 PM
Spend this Father’s Day at the track and surprise Dad with a Father’s Day brunch in the Dining Club, or pack a cooler and enjoy the day in the picnic area. Dad can also be entered to win a pair of VIP Lynyrd Skynyrd concert tickets at PNC Bank Arts Center on July 26, but must be onsite to enter.
Cost: All gentlemen receive free admission
Monmouth Park Racetrack 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Father’s Day Special at Casino Pier
June 21
Bring Dad to Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark on his special day. Dads enjoy loads of perks, including free rides with their full-price paying child (under 16 years old). Also, dads can enter the waterpark for free.
Cost: Free for dads with a full-paying child (under 16) on the same ride.
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Whippany Railway Museum – Special Father’s Day Train Rides
June 21
Ride the rails on one of Morris County’s historic railroads while enjoying time with the family. Ride the caboose and spend a relaxing afternoon celebrating Dad. Step back through the decades as you travel the route of “The Whippanong Trail”.
Cost: $13 and up
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Father’s Day Breakfast
June 21 at 9 AM
Enjoy a special teatime breakfast with delicious food, live piano music, and a sharing of the history of the beautiful Mathis House.
Cost: $20 per person
Mathis House, 600 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Father’s Day Bird Walk
June 21 at 10:30 AM
Celebrate Father’s Day with a super fun and relaxing bird walk that is great for all ages. You will spot some cool feathered friends while enjoying nature with the whole family.
Cost: Free
Lorrimer Sanctuary, 790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
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