The event calendar for Father’s Day weekend tends to be a little more sparse than it is for Mother’s Day. Maybe people just don’t know what to do with dads.
Consumers in 2023 expected to spend nearly 36% less than they did on moms according to an Axios report by Kelly Tyko. And while 84% of adults planned to celebrate Mother’s Day, only 75% planned to celebrate Father’s Day, which falls on June 16 in 2024. It didn’t even become a national holiday in the United States until 1972 — 58 years after Mother’s Day earned that honor.
Skip the tie, sleeve of golf balls or hot new technology this year and go do something fun with the father figure in your life. Here are seven experiential options in the Springfield metro this weekend.
Play catch on one of the best fields in Minor League Baseball
The Springfield Cardinals are at home this week, meaning there are plenty of chances to take dad to Hammons Field (955 E. Trafficway St.) to enjoy a game. Father’s Day itself, however, offers a little something extra special.
Fans are invited to bring their gloves and play catch on the Hammons Field outfield grass from 12:05-12:25 p.m. before a 1:05 p.m. first pitch between the Cardinals and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The Sports Field Management Association has named Hammons Field the best field in Double-A seven times, including in 2019.
It’s also Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, with free ice cream for kids before the game. Kids can also run the bases after the game. Everybody wins!
Go tailgating and reel in a Lunker
The Ozarks Lunkers continue their inaugural Arena League season Saturday, June 15, when they host the Duluth Harbor Monsters at 7:05 p.m. The indoor football team plays its games at the Wilson Logistics Arena at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds (3001 N. Grant Ave.).
You can make a day out of it by enjoying the pre-game tailgate party at 3 p.m. There will be raffles and live music from the New Waves at 4 p.m. A food truck and beer truck will be available and guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and food. Just leave the open-flame grills at home.
The Lunkers defeated the Iowa Woo 69-40 in the season opener on June 1. Single-game tickets are available online. They start at $15, with a $5 discount for children.
Treat Dad like a real BigShot
BigShots Golf (1930 E. Kearney St.) has a special Father’s Day package available June 15-16. Get 90 minutes of golf and games, two pizzas, an appetizer and unlimited fountain drinks for up to six people for $139.
A $50 deposit is required at the time of reservation and you can upgrade with a beer bucket at checkout. Space is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your spot on the BigShots Springfield website or by calling (417) 427-3040.
Springfield’s BigShots Golf has a full-service restaurant and bar, plus a patio with a fire pit, a six-hole putting course and yard games.
BigShots' parent company was bought out in late 2024 by Topgolf, but no major changes were expected beyond adding Toptracer. That’s Topgolf’s golf ball tracking technology that allows users to track ball speed, curve, height and hang time.
Play all day at Perfect Tilt Pinball
Perfect Tilt Pinball (521 S. Glenstone Ave.) has the perfect deal for Father’s Day: All dads get in free all day long.
The pinball arcade opened its standalone location in May with 15 high-end, intricate machines. It started with four machines inside the renovated waiting room of Perfect Tint, a Springfield window tinting service company, in February of 2023.
Perfect Tilt Pinball is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Guests get unlimited play for two hours for $10, with the option to add another hour for $5.
Spend quality time and grab a Father's Day gift at 14 Mill Market
14 Mill Market (203 E. Mt. Vernon St., Nixa), southwest Missouri’s first food hall, has a special pop-up event scheduled for June 15. The Dudes & Brews Father’s Day Market runs from noon-5 p.m.
Vendors will be set up selling unique gifts and locally-made treasures, while the Wisner Bar offers $4 pints of Yuengling and Yuengling Flight. You can fill your belly while you shop at any — or all — of 14 Mill Market’s 10 kitchens. Offerings include barbecue, pizza, sliders, tacos, poke and more.
Celebrate and sip at Solstice Fest ’24
The Springfield Craft Beer Collective and Wire Road Brewing Company are putting on their second annual Solstice Fest, just in time for Father’s Day. It runs from 4-10 p.m. June 15 at the Springfield Rugby Football Club’s pitch (4035 E. Sawyer Road, Brookline). Proceeds benefit the Lost & Found Grief Center.
More than 15 breweries are participating, including Springfield’s 4 By 4 Brewing, Banter Brewing, Before & After Brewing, Great Escape Beer Works, Hold Fast Brewing, Mother’s Brewing Company, Show-Me Brewing, Springfield Brewing Company and Tie & Timber Beer Company.
There is more than just beer to enjoy. Solstice Fest also features several Springfield-area vendors offering clothing, knives, bath and spa products, axe throwing, activities and more. Food trucks Q66 BBQ, London Calling Pasty Company and Brockrito will be set up to feed festival goers. Live entertainment includes music from Vic Vaughan and Souled Out (3-5 p.m.), the Isaac Kenneth Band (5-7 p.m.) and headliners the Dirty Saints (7-10 p.m.).
Tickets to Solstice Fest are $30, which includes festival admission, all festivities, a tasting glass and unlimited beer pours. You can purchase them in advance online.
Go back in time at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Is Dad a history buff? Take him to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the site of the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, to learn about common soldiers during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.
Meet living historians at Stop 5 (Sigel’s Final Position) and learn about the lives of the men who fought on that land on Aug. 10, 1861. Along with the talk, a historic weapons demonstration is planned. Programs are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (5242 S. State Hwy ZZ, Republic). These programs are dependent on volunteer staffing and weather conditions, so guests are advised to check with the visitor center at the start of their visit.
Wilson’s Creek was the site of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action. The Confederates won the battle, which focused national attention on the war in Missouri, but it was costly. The Union suffered 1,317 casualties and losses, while the Confederates lost 1,232 and were unable to pursue their foes as they retreated.
