Fathers are more than bad dad jokes. Celebrate him this weekend during Father’s Day.
To get Dad in the mood, area events begin with the annual margarita contest set for Saturday, June 14. That’s not all. There are barbecues and fun family activities planned, too.
Here is a sampling of what the city has to offer:
World Margarita Championship
JUNE 14
No one can go wrong with a margarita in hand, especially when that margarita is crafted by some of the Old Pueblo’s finest. Pair that with special bites from local chefs competing for the titles of Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards, and Dad will definitely be the winner.
There will be live music and interactive arts experiences, meet and greets with the culinary creators and raffle drawings. Proceeds benefit the Southern Arizona Arts and Culture Alliance; the organization is also the sponsor.
Westward Look Wyndham, 245 E. Ina Road, Tucson, $80 general admission, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., saaca.org
Park Place Mall’s
Dads, Vibes and Rides
JUNE 14
Some dads really dig rods and rides, so take him to Dads, Vibes and Rides, “a high-octane, family-friendly event,” set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard. The local car group “4 the Streets” will show super cars and classic rides outside Entrance 6 by the Sonoran Skylines mural. Guests can vote for their favorite cars, which will receive special recognition.
Meanwhile, inside the mall at the Center Court, dads and children will receive a special gift and activity, respectively. Gifts are limited. Look for appearances by the Tucson Police Department, SWAT team and the U.S. Army, offering families an opportunity to explore their tactical vehicles.
Car enthusiasts who would like to showcase their own rides may register by emailing 4thestreetstucson@gmail.com.
Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, free, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., parkplacemall.com
Father’s Day Brunch: El Charro
JUNE 14
The Tucson favorite, El Charro, serves a creative mix of dishes for Father’s Day. Menu items include El Basico, huevos rancheros, tamal Valencia, Monte Carlo cristo, Chita’s chilaquiles, carne asada and eggs, breakfast burrito bocaditos, breakfast scramble, tamal and egg combos.
El Charro, 311 N. Court Avenue, 7726 N. Oracle and 6910 E. Sunrise, various prices and times, elcharrocafe.com
Astronomy Night
JUNE 14
Take Dad to view Tucson’s beautiful night sky at one of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s telescope stations with the fam. Space-themed activities included. Bring a flashlight and explore the grounds, grab a local beer, and experience the animal encounter, the Packrat Playhouse, touch a stingray and learn about star maps.
The signature drink for the night is the “Lost in Space” martini.
Touch a stingray from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $2 for members and $3 for nonmembers. Stargazing takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., followed by a talk at the Noir Lab from 7 to 7:45 p.m. The evening ends with a presentation by Ruskin Harley of the International Dark Skies Association from 8 to 8:45 p.m. Throughout the night, docents will interpret the desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions and rattlesnakes. Both gift shops and Phoebe’s Coffee Shop will be open until 9 p.m., while the Ocotillo Cafe and the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant will stay open until 10 p.m.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, tickets start at $39.95, with discounts for children, 6 to 10 p.m. desertmuseum.org
Father’s Day Brunch
JUNE 15
Treat dad to a feast of grilled favorites, classic barbecue sides and desserts — all set in Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort’s scenic garden surroundings. All dads receive one free beer, shandy or michelada.
Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5501 N. Hacienda, Tucson, visit website for pricing, haciendadelsol.com
Father’s Day Barbecue
JUNE 15
Westin La Paloma’s executive chef Devin Pinto and his culinary team have cooked up the perfect Father’s Day barbecue. Lounge poolside while the team grills up elevated takes on Sonoran dogs, baby back ribs and burgers with elote corn on the cob, pasta salad and potato salad. Finish the meal with chocolate-dipped bacon and sliced watermelon.
Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, various pricing, noon to 6 p.m., marriott.com
Topgolf
SUNDAYS
It’s never too hot to hit the driving range at Topgolf, where the open bays are air conditioned. Plus, there are plenty of delicious eats and drinks to order. They provide all the necessary equipment, and players can choose from their favorite games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Block Party and Angry Birds. Sunday is Funday at Topgolf, so bays can be rented for $30 an hour and accommodate up to six players. Don’t forget its trademark doughnuts.
Topgolf, 4050 W. Costco Drive, Tucson, various pricing and times, topgolf.com
Sonoran Sunrise Balloon Tours
ANYDAY
Give Dad the ultimate gift: a Sonoran Sunrise Balloon Tour that soars over the Sonoran Desert, Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park West, and the agricultural expanse of Avra Valley. The flight lasts more than an hour and includes a continental champagne brunch afterward. The ride covers 10 to 15 miles at altitudes typically ranging from 500 to 4,000 feet above the Tucson area, depending on the weather. Passengers should be in good physical condition and capable of participating in normal outdoor activities like hiking. Getting in and out of the basket is much like climbing over a barnyard fence or mounting a horse, so participants need to be fit enough for that. It is also expected that passengers possess sufficient physical strength to support their body weight and are able to hold onto the rope handles during potentially bumpy landings and deceleration upon arrival.
Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5501 N. Hacienda, Tucson, visit website for pricing, haciendadelsol.com
