Enjoy the Kite Fest at Marcy Field in Keene (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

My husband and I were recently at a festival where a group offered a “mining” activity. For a certain fee, the child could dig around searching for gemstones. (We used to do something similar and bury treasure in our sandbox for our kids to find.) Later we saw the same family getting into their car with an item purchased from a local vendor. One of the children was complaining about not getting anything. The mother explained that the box contained her birthday present. The father followed up with the fact that the kids did get something. They got sand. My husband and I laughed at the comment and the number of times we’ve reminded our children that it isn’t about the gift, but the activity.

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 17, and it is always met with complex mixture of emotions. My husband and I both lost our fathers many years ago. It doesn’t mean that they are forgotten. We each choose to honor our parents in very different ways. Father figures play an important role in our lives. They don’t have to be our blood relatives, but anyone who has helped us along the way. I know my children have been fortunate to have many male role models to look up to. I think about those people that show up for things or who can be counted on for advice and nurturing. They are also the same people that ground us and remind us that we may not be happy about it, but we still chose the sand.

My husband has asked the family to spend his Father’s Day at the East Branch Friends of the Arts 11th annual Kite Fest at Marcy Field in Keene. It is also opening day for the Adirondack Farmers Market at the same location. Last year we enjoyed a Farmers’ Market lunch and strawberry shortcake while watching trick kites fill the sky.

This year, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Marcy Field will once again be filled with kites. It is a leisurely event with people stopping in for a moment or bringing a picnic and staying for the day. We’ll be bringing our kite though there are always kiting enthusiasts there and plenty of kites to try. The best part of the event is just being able to carve some time out together. Keep in mind the kite festival is free and open to everyone. It just happens to fall on Father’s Day.

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.