With Father’s Day quickly approaching this Sunday, June 15, businesses around Alachua County are offering a whole weekend of events for celebrating dad and all father figures.
Whether you want to enter dad in a basketball or arcade tournament, make him into a comic book character, walk through botanical gardens, or serenade him with a live mariachi band, here’s a list of events for everyone to celebrate the most important men in their lives this holiday.
Saturday, June 14
Alachua County Farmers’ Market Father’s Day Fest
Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon
Location: 5920 NW 13th St., Gainesville
Join for a fun filled day celebrating dads with music, food and local vendors. Free.
Boswells Dream: Father’s Day Basketball Tournament
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: 24880 NW 16 Ave., Newberry
Calling all father figures to the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex. Bring your family and friends out to watch you compete and have some fun showing your basketball skills. $50.
Coliseum of Comics Super Saturdays: Father’s Day
Time: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., June 14-15
Location: 4401 NW 25th Place, Ste. G, Gainesville
Make dad the star of his own comic book. Kids ages 4-10 can design the cover art and help write a fun story about dad’s heroic adventures. Free.
Fan Outfitters BOGO
Time: Through June 15
Location: 3630 SW 32nd Ct., Gainesville
Buy the Gator dad in your life some Gator gear with Fan Outfitters’ Buy One, Get One 50% Off deal.
Sunday, June 15
Amvets Post 88 of Florida Father’s Day Breakfast
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: 10050 SR-24, Archer
Bring dad down for a good home-cooked and free breakfast from the Ladies Auxiliary.
Blackadder Brewing Company Hoppy Father’s Day
Time: Noon-6 p.m.
Location: 618 NW 60th St., Ste. A, Gainesville
Cheers to all dads who get one free beer on the house.
Classy Chics Father’s Day Brunch
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 2100 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville
One complimentary draft for every dandy dad at Ironwood Golf Course.
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant Father’s Day Celebration
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: 3501 SW 2nd Ave., Gainesville
Live mariachi from 5–7 p.m., drink specials and Mexican food.
Dave and Buster’s: The Dad Games!
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: 3023 SW 45th St., Gainesville
Dads and their families can go head-to-head in the ultimate arcade showdown. One $35.41 ticket includes event entry, $20 Power Card, banquet access, taxes and suggested gratuity. Level up your ticket for just $5 more to receive Unlimited Video Game Play.
Game Day bytes banquet menu includes flatbread cheese pizza, mini all-beef pretzel dogs, boneless wings, garlic butter pretzel sticks, French fries and unlimited soft drinks.
Families are encouraged to wear matching shirts, team colors, face paint, or themed costumes for the Most Spirited Family Prize.
Grand Prize includes ultimate bragging rights, a shiny D&B trophy, a year of free game play for a family of four, a photo of dad with the trophy displayed at Dave & Buster’s for an entire year, four tickets to next year’s dad games so you can defend your title and honor.
The first 100 families that purchase tickets will score an exclusive DAD GAMES Baseball Hat for their #1 Dad.
Flip Factory Zone Father’s Day Deal
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 7400 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville
Featuring 50% off laser tag.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Father’s Day Special
Time: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: 4700 SW 58th Dr., Gainesville
Fathers get free admission.
Blue Water Bay of Melrose Father’s Day Buffet
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: 319 FL SR-26, Melrose
Father’s Day buffet. $14.95-$42.95.