Dads will be celebrated in Halton Hills in a huge way on Father's Day weekend (June 19 and 20) during the First Annual Big Daddy Festival.
The festival, which will be held in Georgetown, Acton, Glen Williams and Limehouse, will offer 50 dad-related activities to choose from.
"It's the only one of its kind in Canada," said Lois Fraser, publicity co-ordinator for the festival. "The (organizing) committee felt that some families struggle with what
to do on Father's Day. Dads have kind of been in the shadow."
Fraser said while the festival is designed to celebrate dads, "in celebrating dad, we're celebrating the whole family." For those who don't have a dad, Fraser said the festival will allow them to celebrate a male influence in their life.
The festival actually kicks off Friday (June 18) night in Acton with the Youth Battle of the Bands at Acton Roxy from 7-11 p.m.
On Saturday (June 19) the Farmers' Market will be held on Main St. Georgetown from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Festival on Main (downtown Georgetown) will run from 3-11 p.m. and feature live bands, face painting, Dad & Me restaurant specials, Dad & Me fun events and the Chill Zone. Details on Festival on Main can be found at www.downtowngeorgetown.com.
Also Saturday, from 3-8 p.m., the Festival at Acton will feature the popular Taste of Acton from 2-6 p.m., Talent Show/Karaoke from 4-7 p.m., and Movie in
the Park (Prospect Park) at 8:30 p.m. The movie will be Iron Man.
On Sunday, (Father's Day), the Classics Car Show will be held at Cedarvale Park from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and the Show & Shine for Autism in the Price Chopper parking lot will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
In Acton there will be a Dad & Me Fishing Derby on Fairy Lake Sunday from 7-11 a.m. There will be a casting competition at 10 a.m. Also, there will be a demonstration on tying flies and fly-fishing casting event sponsored by Trout Unlimited at 10 a.m.
From 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday the Festival on Main in Georgetown continues with a Dad & Me Breakfast from 8-10 a.m., Dad competitions including arm wrestling and Olympics and other Dad and Me activities (for example twister and checkers), the Chill Zone, Round Robin Street Hockey and Dad & Me mini-workshops.
There are several festival activities going on in Glen Williams Sunday as well.
They include Dad & Me Arts Activities, Dad & Me Private Guitar Lessons near the William's Mill Visual Arts Centre.
Other activities include Dad & Me Dress Up & Photo Opportunity (in Glen Williams Town Hall) and Sheridan Nursery Farm Tours. The Sheridan tours will be 30-minute guided wagon rides through the extensive nursery farm. Tour times are 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be Williams Mill Artisan-Led Tour & Activities including hand casting, glass blowing and wood burning.
The Family Build a Boat activity at the Beaumont Mill Sunday in Glen Williams will feature an antique boat display, youth skiff build and restoration workshop (end of day draw and sail).
The St. Alban's Strawberry Social will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
In Limehouse Sunday there will be Bruce Trail Guided Mini-Hikes, and Historical Lime Kiln Walk.
From 1-4 p.m. Sunday there will be a Victorian Festival at Devereaux House. Those who stop by can enjoy Victorian tea and cake with strawberries and cream and interact with the Devereaux family.
The Big Daddy Festival is the brainchild of the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable, a not-for-profit volunteer organization created last year to promote the well-being and development of culture in Halton Hills.

For details about The Big Daddy Festival go to
www.bigdaddyfestival.ca.