Celebrate Father's Day in Loudoun

A DAY OFF FOR DAD

I stopped celebrating my birthday years ago – who wants to be reminded that you’ve past the half century mark? – but Father’s Day is different. I love being reminded that I’m a dad, and it’s one of the few days of the year that comes with a license to relax.

So, what’s my idea of the perfect Father’s Day this Sunday, June 16?

How about these events:

FISHING

My son and I love fishing and early Sunday we will get our fishing poles and head to Great Country Farms. The popular Bluemont agribusiness stages their annual Father’s Day Fishing with Cherry Picking experience. The pond at the farm is stocked with hungry bass and bluegill and there are prizes for the largest fish caught and for the most fish caught. Your ticket ($12 for kids, $14 for adults) also gets you access to the cherry-picking session in nearby fields. It helps that craft cidery Henway Hard Cider is just steps away (we could all use a fresh cider on a scorching hot day) and Dirt Farm Brewing and Bluemont Vineyard are a short drive up the hill. Sticking with fishing, amateur anglers who want to learn the difficult art of fly fishing should make their way to Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery for Fly Fishing Casting Lessons with local expert Scott Penn. Penn and his team will lead 30-45-minute casting classes at the farm brewery, the tickets costing $40. That includes all equipment and a first pour of a Wheatland brew. For dad’s with younger kids, (mine are teens) make your way to Leesburg Animal Park for  Father’s Day Fishing and Craft sessions on both Saturday June 15 and Father’s Day.

BEER & MUSIC

Brews with tunes will be another feature of the day. Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn turns 10 this year and the celebration will be on Saturday, June 15. Sample beers, including an exclusive 10th anniversary collaboration from former Old Ox brewers, while you enjoy live music and food pairings. In Middleburg, Lost Barrel Brewing’s Father’s Day Brunch starts at 11 a.m. and features the band Elements of Kindred followed by local country star Melissa Quinn Fox. On top of the usual craft beer and food menu, enjoy special brunch options at a table on the lawn and soak up the sounds. If you prefer to stay in northern Loudoun, Vanish Farmwoods Brewery in Lucketts will host local cover band Not the Fathers at 4 p.m. Enjoy Vanish’s tasty farm beers while bopping along to the band’s home-grown influenced rock covers.

BBQ FEASTS

What Dad doesn’t like BBQ? Loudoun knows its smoked meats and there are several venues in Loudoun to try it at. Before the big day, on June 13, make all the family happy by heading over to Mon Amie Amy in Ashburn, the men’s and women’s apparel lifestyle store, for the Bourbon & BBQ Father’s Day Event starting at 4 p.m. How about a BBQ lesson? On June 15, Harrimans Grill at Salamander Middleburg hosts a Father’s Day Cooking Demo: a lesson with Chef Cesar Mir
 on how to smoke and properly eat beef brisket with BBQ sauce, whole chicken with Alabama White BBQ sauce, collard greens, house-made mac and cheese and more. This should set you up for the big day. Boxwood Estate Winery in Middleburg has called in the pitmasters from Monk’s BBQ for its Father’s Day BBQ event. Enjoy sublime estate wines along with slow-cooked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and more. Who knew Bordeaux blends would go down so well with burnt ends? Up north, Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery in Lovettsville hosts the 2^nd Annual Father’s Day Pig Pickin' Luau at 1 p.m. On top of the all-you-can-eat meats and sides, (pineapple fried rice; rum cake) there’s live music from traveling band, Barefoot & Sunshine.

A BASKETBALL GAME

Fancy some exercise and competition on Father’s Day? Local non-profit The Family One hosts the 2^nd Annual Father’s Day Basketball Game at the Douglass Community Center in central Leesburg. Open and free to anyone who wishes to participate, come and play – or cheer on – the athletes as the dads try to avenge last year’s loss to the children! All ages, boys and girls are welcome. To participate sign up here.

Happy Dad’s Day everyone!