518 Weekender: Dad Fest, Juneteenth, Whitman Fantasy Faire & more!

June 18, 2026

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Hey 518 readers, it’s shaping up to be a glorious Father’s Day weekend—even if Mother Nature is tossing in a 50% chance of showers.

On Sunday, Albany rolls out its annual Dad Fest extravaganza in Washington Park, complete with a classic car show, rock jams, and plenty of dad-friendly delights. If your Pop isn’t into big crowds, no worries—there’s plenty happening around the Capital Region this weekend. Maybe check out the Whitman Fantasy Faire in Saratoga and let Dad go medieval on a big ol’ turkey leg 🍗

🎡 🍏 Nine Pin is also back with its Summer Solstice Celebration at Huck Finn’s Playland on Saturday—and we’ve scored 2 tickets to give away! Enter by tagging a friend on our Insta post here (contest closes at midnight Thursday).

And if you’re not already following us on IG, consider this your gentle nudge. We’ve got giveaways, local scoops, and so much more news you can use.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Albany’s Dad Fest in Washington Park 📷️ Courtesy of CBS6

⭐️ = Top 5 Staff Picks

⭐️ 📜 Albany’s big Juneteenth celebration takes over Swineburne Park on Friday, followed by a Movies Under the Stars screening of “Goat.” Fri, 1 to 5p, free. Screening pre-show starts at 7:30p.

⭐️ 👴🏽 Think of Albany’s annual Dad Fest as the dad version of the Tulip Fest, with a classic car show, live bands, and plenty of greasy fair food. Pop’s gonna love it. Sun, 10a-6p, free. In Washington Park.

⭐️ 🏡 Historic Center Square is the center of attention at the 2026 House, Garden, & History Tour (& Stoop Stroll). Get a peek behind some of Center Square’s most historic homes and gardens on this self-guided tour. On the same day, residents will deck out their front steps for the Stoop Stroll. Sat, 11a-4p. Tickets: $25 advance; $30 day of. Suggested donation of $10 for Stoop Stroll.

⭐️ ⚔️ Saratoga’s Whitman Brewing Company throws its first-ever Whitman Fantasy Faire, featuring 20+ local vendors, live themed folk music, light street performances, fair foods, and beer, of course. If you go, let us know if this event turns out to be worth the drive from Albany! Sat, 12-7p, free. An optional $45 ticket option gets you two drink tix, a food ticket, and a special t-shirt. Come in costume for a special prize!

🏳️‍🌈 It’s the 20th anniversary of Say It Loud! BIPOC Pride, honoring two decades of allied resilience, visibility, culture, and joy in the Capital Region. Sat, 12-5p, free. In Washington Park. Also Saturday: The 3rd annual Bethlehem Pride Festival.

Honorable mention:

🎡 Nine Pin turns Huck Finn’s Playland into an adult playground with Summer Solstice Celebration. This event is 21+ and each ticket comes with a 12 oz cider.

👀 Keep reading to see more notable events in “What’s Happening.”

A word from our sponsor

Good Friend Ecological Gardens is what happens when environmental stewardship and responsible design reshape the relationships between people and place. Plan your tour of our Niskayuna Learning Gardens, shop our locally-grown flower bouquets, or bring Good Friend home through our garden design service.

Curtis Lumber’s annual PetAPalooza is the ultimate tail-wagging day out for animal lovers. Held at Curtis Lumber’s flagship Ballston Spa location, this pet extravaganza brings together local shelters, rescue groups, veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, and plenty of furry friends looking for their forever homes. Even better, adoption fees have been lowered for this event.

⏰ Sat, 10a-3p, free
📍 Curtis Lumber, 885 State Route 67, Ballston Spa

🦙 The Saratoga Farm Showcase is your ticket to tour 10-15 farms, including the Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga and the friendly alpacas at Woodland Meadow Farm. Sat, 10a-3p, $10 adults advanced, $15 day-of. Kids are free!

Note: The 518 Weekender now publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes! 

SUMMER FUN

👩‍🌾 Good Friend Ecological Gardens kicks off the summer season with tours of their lush learning garden. Grab a stunning fresh-picked bouquet from the flower shop. Come see why we featured this Nisky gardener who creates beauty with purpose.

🎡 The Westgate Plaza Carnival brings classic summertime fun, through Sunday.

THURSDAY

🎸 It’s Afrobeats Night at Alive at Five, featuring B.o.B. Due to the weather, the concert has been moved to its regular rain location—the Corning Preserve Boat Launch.

🌧️ Btw, tonight’s scheduled Electric City SummerFest show in Schenectady is canceled because of the rain.

👕 Get rid of the old and bring in something new (to you) at the Summer Clothing Swap, hosted by Nine Pin. Remember that 518 readers always get 10% off all cider drinks by mentioning “The 518 Crew.”

FRIDAY

🖼️ Looks like the weather gods will cooperate for Art Night Schenectady, making for a lovely Friday evening stroll around downtown.

🎭️ R'Ville Stage Creations presents “The Laramie Project” at Bridge Street Theatre, exploring the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard.

🖼️ ☕️ Our friends at Tortoise & Hare Coffee will be the baristas at the Albany Institute of History & Art’s free Family Fun Day on Juneteenth. Btw, the TU has compiled a handy list of Juneteenth events around the CR.

💀 Get inked at the Upstate Tattoo Expo in Glens Falls.

SATURDAY

🌴 It’s the 20th anniversary of Caribbean Day in the Park. Get to Troy’s Prospect Park for live music, dancing, and plenty of tasty island treats.

🌎️ Celebrate Capital Region World Refugee Day with an international food tasting, talent show, and more!

🍺 It’s a party inside and out as Centre Street Pub throws its ginormous Block Party on Centre Street in Schenectady.

👟 The Good Karma 5K Run/Walk promises Indian street food and henna after the race. Where do we sign up?

🖼️ Seeing a show on the last day is a special kind of treat, especially with an artist talk to close it up. Go deep with Bog Body: An Artist Talk with Phoebe Rotter at Context Collective.

🏡 Get to the historic Ten Broeck Mansion gardens for a lovely Juneteenth celebration.

🚘️ Cars on Union brings some of the most coveted automobiles ever produced to Saratoga.

🎈Big Bounce America bills itself as the world’s biggest bounce house. At Ellms Family Farm.

☕️ Get to Crossgates for Sip, Sweat & Stay Social, featuring a free Pilates class and fun espresso drinks, hosted by the Sip Society.

🎻 The Mostly Modern Festival wraps up with Gershwin’s An American in Paris.

🎭️ Spontaneous Broadway is back at Mopco!

🏃‍♂️ The 5Run8 (get it?) Run Club meets at Lions Park in Niskayuna for a fun run, then a visit to Station Six in Albany for lattes and pastries.

SUNDAY

🎹 Make Music Day Troy is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration on the summer solstice that brings together all ages and skill levels to make music.

🎨 If you’re up for the drive on Father’s Day, the Catskill Summer Solstice festival looks like some fun family time.

✊🏾 It’s your final day to see “Designing Power: The Black Panther Party” at the Tang Teaching Museum.

🏳️‍🌈 Bard & Baker hosts a Pride Brunch with some slay diva queens!

🦸 Get your cosplay on at the Albany Anime Fest.

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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