PEEL DAD AWAY from his usual routine June 15 for a variety of Father's Day events devoted to all things dad.
Froggy Father's Day Celebration
2008 is the Year of the Frog at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Amphibians will also lead the garden's sixth annual Father's Day festival with live frog displays; crafts tables devoted to frog and tadpole hat making and origami jumping frogs; and many froggy games, such as frog toss, tic-tac-toad and lily pad relay.
Other entertainment includes train rides, face painting, complimentary popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones, and classic soul music with Daddy-O-Strut. Event held rain or shine.
• THE 411: Half-price for dads all day. Adults $12; seniors and children 3-17 $9; children 2 and younger free. Train rides $2. 1-5 p.m. June 15. Atlanta Botanical Garden. 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-876-5859, atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Real men cook for charity
A ticket buys tastings of appetizers, entrees and desserts of almost every ilk cooked up by local and celebrity chefs, including Rafih Benjelloun of Imperial Fez and U.S. Rep. John Lewis. But more than 100 regular dads who simply like to cook make up the heart of this charity event and competition benefiting several organizations, including the American Heart Association.
Expect cooking demonstrations, clowns, face painting and other children's entertainment. R&B singer Tony Terry performs at 5 p.m.
• THE 411: $25; $15 ages 12 and younger. Advance online: $20; $10 ages 12 and younger. 3-6 p.m. June 15. Georgia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta. 404-656-3850, www.realmencook.com/atlanta.htm.
Cars, 'cue, classic rock
The blooming sidewalk of Stone Mountain Village is host for a weekend's worth of fatherly fun with a barbecue cook-off and classic car show, as well as a two-day arts and crafts festival.
And $5 buys a tasting ticket to the people's choice barbecue cook-off June 14 from noon to 2 p.m. Then take in live music from 6 to 8 p.m. with modern classic rockers Five Star Iris. On June 15, a classic car show invites enthusiasts to admire and vote for their favorite pre- and post-1948 set of wheels. Soul/funk band East Ponce Soul Faction performs at 3:30 p.m.
The arts and crafts show takes place on both days and features the work of 100 artists from throughout the Southeast. Streets are closed to traffic for the festival, and Low Country Barbecue, beer and wine will be sold all weekend.
• THE 411: Free admission, cook-off tasting tickets $5. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. June 14; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 15. 922 Main St., Stone Mountain Village. 770-498-7334, www.stonemountainvillage.com.
Get away from it all
Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, a 25-acre, family-owned wine estate in Dahlonega, will hold its sixth annual Father's Day barbecue brunch June 15. Cost is $30 per person, excluding wine, tax and gratuity. Seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. (advance reservations required).
• THE 411: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega. 706-867-9862 to reserve, www.wolf mountainvineyards.com.
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