Celebrate Dad this weekend: Family fun for the week of June 16

Chris Worthy
Updated ·4 min read

Happy Father’s Day! There are some wonderful ways to celebrate throughout the Upstate this weekend. And don’t miss a very dad-centered story about two inventors who made the most of their at-home time during the pandemic, as well as Upstate Parent’s summer thrive guide, with things to do, summer snacks and more, at upstateparent.com. Check with Upstate Parent throughout the month for updates to help you enjoy this summer.

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com.

Register now for July hikes at Paris Mountain State Park. A Creek Ranger hike for all ages is July 14 and 28 and Aug. 4. Register at to southcarolinaparks.com/products/10003610. A Turtle Trail Naturalist Hike for ages 8 and older with an adult is July 21. Register at southcarolinaparks.com/products/10003852.

The Juneteenth GVL Mega Fest took place in Falls Park on June 18. The event is free for the entire family and featured a day full of cultural and live performances from local bands. Raysean Wintz, left, of Greenville plays with his son Parker Wintz, 6, at at the event.
The Juneteenth GVL Mega Fest took place in Falls Park on June 18. The event is free for the entire family and featured a day full of cultural and live performances from local bands. Raysean Wintz, left, of Greenville plays with his son Parker Wintz, 6, at at the event.

Celebrate Juneteenth beginning at 4 p.m. June 16 at Unity Park. For details, visit greenvillesc.gov/2015/Juneteenth.

Park Hop Play Dates are June 16 and 27 For details, visit parkhop.org. Park Hop,a free, summer long scavenger hunt, is happening at park and recreation venues throughout Greater Greenville County. This scavenger hunt encourages children and families to discover featured parks throughout the summer while searching for answers to clues within each park. Get the ParkHop app on GooglePlay or the App Store.

“Shrek the Musical” continues through June 25 at Greenville Theatre. For tickets, visit greenvilletheatre.org.

Starry Nights programs are June 16 at Roper Mountain Science Center. “Take Flight” is at 4:30 p.m., “Invaders of Mars” is at 6 p.m. and “Solar Superstorms” is at 7:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are required. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

Summer Adventures are at Roper Mountain Science Center – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last entry is at 3 p.m.)Tuesdays – Saturdays through July 29. Admission is free for members, $12 per adult, $10 per child (ages 3 –12) for nonmembers, $5 for those with EBT card (on site purchase only, 4 ticket maximum). Explore the new building and exhibits including the Orientation, Nature Exchange, Our Water Story, and Sustainable Future, the traveling exhibit “How People Make Things,” pet a stingray in the Marine Lab, discover the Living History Farm (through 2:30 p.m.), visit the outdoor Dinosaur Trails and more. For details and tickets, visit ropermountain.org.

“Cinderella: Enchanted” continues through July 2 at Flat Rock Playhouse. This is a fresh take on a timeless classic, for children and adults. For tickets, visit flatrockplayhouse.org/cinderella.

Chautauqua History Comes Alive 2023 – Secrets Revealed continues through June 18 in Greenville, Spartanburg, Liberty, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Abbeville. See performers bring characters to life, including Mary Shelley, Steve Jobs and more. For a full schedule of free events, visit historycomesalive.org.

Father’s Day Fun is at 10 a.m. June 17 at Conestee Nature Preserve. For details, cost and registration, visit conesteepreserve.org/events.

Summer Luau at Southernside Brewing Co. is 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. June 17. Admission is free and includes entertainment. The event includes live music, an inflatable water slide, slip and slide, dunk tank, mechanical shark, face painting and more. Food and drink will be available for purchase. RSVP and purchase pig roast tickets at eventbrite.com/e/southernside-brewing-2nd-annual-luau-pig-roast-tickets-625732381397.

TR Makers SC Map
TR Makers SC Map

Maker Day: Thunder Lizards for ages 5 – 11 is 9 a.m. – noon June 22 at TR Makers Co. For details and registration, visit trmakersco.org.

2023 Water Games are at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Spartanburg Main Library. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.

Touch a Truck with the Boiling Springs Fire Department is at 3 p.m. June 22 at the Boiling Springs Library. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.

Girl Scout Night is 4 – 8 p.m. June 22 at the Upcountry History Museum. For details and registration, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Moonlight Movies is June 22 at Greer City Park. For details, visit cityofgreer.org/740/Moonlight-Movies.

Summer Reading is underway at the Greenville County Library System and Spartanburg County Public Libraries. For details, visit greenvillelibrary.org/summer-reading and spartanburglibraries.org.

“Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit” is open at the Upcountry History Museum. At this play-and-learn exhibit, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Looking ahead:

Toddler Time is at 10:30 a.m. June 24 at the Upcountry History Museum. Explore the world of Eric Carle. For details and registration, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Author Event: Meet author Jessica Khoury and hear about her new book, "The Ruby Code" at 11 a.m. June 24 at the Spartanburg Main Library. Most suitable for the ages 8 – 12. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Celebrate Dad this weekend: Family fun for the week of June 16