Celebrate Father’s Day with classic car shows, spring festivals, more North Jersey events

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• Here are some fun things to do in North Jersey for Father’s Day if you want to steer clear of those cliche celebrations like a backyard barbecue or a round of golf.
• From classic car shows to fun spring festivals, here are six ways to celebrate dad on Father’s Day in North Jersey:

While you can celebrate dad — or dad-like figures, stepdads, grandfathers and husbands, for that matter — any day of the year, Father’s Day is the one day specially dedicated to showing him how much he matters to you.

So if you’re looking for some fun things to do in honor of the big day on June 15, but want to steer clear of those cliche celebrations like a backyard barbecue or a round of golf, there are plenty of options available in our area.

From classic car shows to fun spring festivals, here are six ways to celebrate dad on Father’s Day in North Jersey:

Ride the Dream Wheel at American Dream Mall

The Dream Wheel is a 300-foot tall observation wheel at the American Dream Mall, consisting of 27 climate-controlled gondolas where riders get sweeping views of the New York City skyline and the surrounding area.

For Father’s Day, all dads can have the chance to ride this unique attraction for free with the purchase of a junior or adult ticket. This offer is only available when tickets are purchased on-site, rather than online, and are only valid on June 15. For all other riders, general admission tickets are $24.48 per person for adults, and $18.67 per person for children ages 5 to 11.

After — or even before, if you want — your ride, you can also stop at Deep Fried Love, a carnival-themed concession stand at the base of the Dream Wheel that offers fun treats like funnel cake and fried Oreos.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Go: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford; 833-263-7326, skyviewsobservationwheels.com/dream-wheel.

Spend an evening at the Tri-County Fair in Rockaway

For a casual outing with dad, you can spend an evening at the 11th annual Tri-County Fair. Taking place from Thursday through Sunday of Father’s Day weekend, this family-friendly carnival will fill the sprawling 107 acres of Christ Church in Rockaway with rides, games of chance, pony rides and classic fair foods. The event will also feature live music, a fireworks show, an old-time car show, monster truck shows and more.

Admission to the fair is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. Ride credits can be purchased online until June 11 for a discount, or on-site during the event for regular price. There are also ride all day wrist bands for $37.84, which are only available for the fair’s opening or closing night, and specialty attractions like pony rides and monster truck rides are $10 per person.

Hours: 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 140 Green Pond Road, Rockaway Township; 973-783-1010, tricountyfair.org.

Enjoy craft beer and food at the Berries and Brews Festival at Ort Farms

Treat dad to some craft beer and fun food at Ort Farms’ annual Berries and Brew Festival. Held on Saturday and Sunday of Father’s Day weekend, the event will feature craft beer on tap from Jersey Girl Brewing, local food trucks and live music. You’ll also be able to pick your own strawberries at the farm and explore other attractions like friendly farm animals, children’s play sets, a cow train, an apple canon, pony rides and carriage rides.

Tickets are $8 per person for adults and $5 for seniors when purchased online. They include hayrides and admission to the strawberry patch, a strawberry picking container and access to all of the farm and event’s amenities.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Go: 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley; 908-876-3351, ortfarms.com.

Browse vintage and luxury cars at local car shows

Whether your dad is passionate about classic cars or just enjoys going out and exploring something new, why not take him out to a car show?

From noon to 3 p.m. on Father’s Day, the 18th annual Cats in the Garden car show will take place at the Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. The event features a wide array of classic and modern Jaguar cars for visitors to explore, courtesy of members of the Jaguar Touring Club of New Jersey. The event also acts as a competition, with representatives of the Van Vleck House and Gardens, as well as various sponsors, voting for the car they like the most. Tickets: $10 cash per person, and kids under 10 are free. Go: 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair; 973-744-4752, montclairfoundation.org/event/cats-in-the-garden-2025.

The North Jersey Street Rod Association hosts a charity car show every year for a child battling a life-threatening disease, and proceeds from this year’s Father’s Day Rod Run will go towards Lucas Pizarro Villa, a five year old battling Leukemia. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to explore a variety of classic cars at Horseshoe Lake. There will also be door prices, games, entertainment, a 50/50 raffle and more. Tickets: $5 per person, and kids under 12 are free. Go: 72 Eyland Ave., Succasunna; 973-214-9469, njstreetrod.org/fathers-day-rod-run.

Ride a train at the Whippany Railway Museum

Take a trip with dad back to another era with a special Father’s Day excursion onboard the Whippany Railway Museum’s Father’s Day Express train. The event features a 10-mile, 45-minute round trip ride along the route of the Whippanong Trail — traveling through Whippany, East Hanover, Livingston and Roseland — where riders will see remnants of pre-historic Lake Passaic, a natural swamp and wild animals. There are four excursions running on the hour from 1 to 4 p.m., and ticket prices vary depending on the seating option you choose.

Go: 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany; 973-887-8177, whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/events/excursion-trains.

Laugh at Earthquake’s Father’s Day Comedy Show at the NJPAC

Take dad out to have a laugh at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, where Earthquake — who appeared on Bet’s “Comic View,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and Shaq’s “All-Star Comedy Jam” — will host his annual Father’s Day comedy special. This year’s event will also feature comedians DeRay Davis, Chico Bean and B. Simone. The show beings at 7 p.m. on Father’s Day, and tickets currently start at $66.90 per person.

Go: 1 Center St., Newark; 888-466-5722, njpac.org/event/earthquakes-father-day-comedy.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at [email protected].