FATHER’S DAY ADVENTURES
Spending time with dad is greatest gift of all
As Father’s Day rolls around on Sunday, you could run out today and purchase the latest weed whacker, wrench or whisky. Lee Valley has a vast selection of useful goods, from fire knives and travel hammocks to button thermometers and bocce balls. Ardbeg Distillery was just in town last week to launch a new single malt called AN OA (pronounced “an oh”). It’s a sweet, smoky libation inspired by the most untamed part of Islay. And those things would be good gifts, maybe even great, if your father’s a fan of scotch and/or tinkering in the yard. But why not consider a gift of a shared experience with dear old dad. The memories made will last longer and should be much sweeter, writes Michele Jarvie. CAST ABOUT
Depending on your skill, the ages of the kids and the patience of all involved, the Family Fishing Clinic on Saturdays at Bow Habitat Station could resemble a Norman Rockwell painting or an episode of Family Guy. The two-hour clinic, which runs every Saturday until Sept. 1, teaches the basics of fishing through handson activities in the classroom before moving outside for some real casting in the trout pond. Fishing equipment is provided, and no licence is required for the class. Pre-registration is required, and it’s for ages six and up. bowhabitat. alberta.ca
ESCAPE TOGETHER
Get the family together and bond over the challenge of solving a mystery. Calgary has several escape room outfits and one of them has just ratcheted up the complexity by adding in virtual reality.
SmartyPantz Escape Rooms has launched two escape-room adventures which blend puzzle play with immersive VR environments: Go deep under water as archeologists with limited oxygen to solve the Depth of Osiris, or head into outer space to save Earth from an asteroid by reactivating the weaponry on Space Station Tiberia.
The technology was developed in Alberta by vrCAVE, and it allows four players to work co-operatively in the same VR space to look for clues, solve puzzles and attempt to complete the challenge.
SmartyPantz is located at 1601 14th St. S.W.
THE GRAND OLD GAME
There’s no sweeter summer activity than eating dogs and watching the Dawgs play at Seaman Stadium on Okotoks. Head south on Sunday to catch the 2:05 p.m. game against the Brooks Bombers in Western Major Baseball League action.
SADDLE UP
As the weather finally turned nice, the countryside has greened up almost over night. It’s the perfect time to hike, bike, raft or ride through the backcountry. There are a number of local outfitters with day and half-day trips that are perfect for even neophyte outdoorsmen. Several even wrap up with a barbecue dinner back at the ranch or riverside. Some within a short drive to consider are Moose Mountain Horseback Adventures, Homeplace Ranch and Inside- Out Experience, which runs whitewater trips on the Kananaskis River.
HEADY WITH HORSEPOWER
Many men have a thing for motors and machinery, and these two events might just make them giddy. Train Days on June 16 and 17 feature model-train displays, a kids train ride, railway tours, a pancake breakfast Saturday and a brunch buffet on Sunday. It all takes place at Aspen Crossing, west of Mossleigh (about an hour from Calgary on Hwy 24). It runs from 9-4 p.m. Check out aspencrossing. com for more details.
Wings and Wheels also runs both days and features a show and shine from local car clubs, airplanes open for viewing and even helicopter rides (for a fee and weather permitting). While there, check out the Hangar Flight Museum (formerly the Aero Space Museum of Calgary) at 4629 McCall Way N.E. Go to hangarmuseum.ca
GOOD TIMES BREWING
If you’re of the age of majority, perhaps the perfect way to spend the day is relaxing on a patio with a beer and a burger. Several local brewhouses offer tours of their tanks so you can learn a little more about them. Saturday tours run at Common Crown Brewing Co., Tool Shed Brewery and Wild Rose Brewery. The list is not definitive as there are many more in the city. And if you want to get a little wild, check out Dads Rock Father’s Day Tasting at The Brewer’s Apprentice. On Sunday, June 17, eight beers will be paired with a classic rock song. Tickets at eventbrite.ca