Welcome to The Nassau Dad Drop, the free weekly guide to Nassau County family life - written by a dad who got tired of missing stuff.
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🧔🏽♂️ Dad Thoughts: My First Coach
Three months ago, I had my daughter. My son turns five this year. And I turned 40 back in January. So lately I've been thinking about what I'm teaching my kids. And when I really look at it, almost all of it traces back to one person: my dad.
Here are three lessons I learned from him.
A good routine is everything. Growing up, the rules were simple and they never moved. Homework starts at 5pm. Video games only on the weekends, and only after you showered. In bed by 9:30pm. It felt strict then. Now I get it. Routine brings consistency, and consistency is how you actually reach your goals.
You do it for your family. My dad moved us to Long Island when his entire world - his work, his friends, his family - was back in NYC. He did it for us so that my brother and I could be in one of the best school districts in the country. And now? Everyone we know has also moved out here. One man's decision changed the map for his entire extended family.
Stay calm under pressure. Stay calm in pain. One of my earliest memories is playing basketball with my brother and cousins in my driveway. I got knocked down and scraped my knee bad. My mom, out of pure love, screamed and ran for a bandaid. My dad just sat down next to me, calm as anything, and said: "It's okay. Are you okay?"
I almost panicked watching my mom panic. But seeing him like that, I caught my breath. I stayed calm. Courage under pressure. Calmness within pain. I believe that's the thing that's carried me further than anything else.
Fathers can be tough. But it's only in the soil that seeds get planted and flowers grow.
Thank you, Papa. Happy Father's Day. ❤️
🚗 FAMILY FUN FIELD TRIPS
Dad-approved outings.
Father’s Day Weekend → Long Island's Juneteenth Cultural Festival ✊🏾 Long Island's largest Juneteenth celebration, hosted by Black Legacy Partners and the NAACP Hempstead Branch at the Hicksville LIRR outdoor grounds. Expect 60+ vendors, food trucks, live performances and a Father's Day marketplace highlighting Black-owned brands and giftable goods for dads.
💰 Free
📅 Sat June 20, 12pm-6pm
🔗 instagram.com
Father’s Day Weekend → AutoMat 70th Anniversary Car Show 🚙 AutoMat Custom & Restoration throws a free anniversary bash in Hicksville with "300+ customs, classics, antiques, exotics, sports & luxury cars & trucks," a DJ, food vendors and facility tours. AutoMat has been recognized by SEMA as Trimmer of the Year, and this year's show also celebrates 250 years of America and the founder's 100th. No entry or spectator fee.
💰 Free
📅 Sat June 20, 8am-2pm
🔗 eventbrite.com
Father’s Day Weekend → Father's Day Car Show at Merrick Train Station 🚗 A Father's Day morning tradition at the Merrick LIRR station - rows of classic and custom cars, dash plaques and vendors.
💰 Free for spectators
📅 Sun June 21, 9am-3pm
🔗 facebook.com
Empire State Fair OPENING DAY 🎢 The fair returns to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale with a Dreamland Amusements midway, The Wheel ("a 110-foot Ferris wheel billed as the tallest to hit Long Island," with 24 six-person gondolas), the all-new Aqua Live water show, Circus Murcia under the big top, a petting zoo, a dinosaur experience, and Fireworks by Grucci on Saturday nights. Runs through July 19.
💰 Admission $10 (free for kids under 36")
📅 Opens Fri June 26, 5pm-11pm; weekends noon-11pm
🔗 empirestatefair.com
SUMMERFEST at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard 🎶 A high-energy summer kickoff from We Are Live - DJs, vendors, games, and a portion of proceeds going to Tunnel to Towers. Use promo code: NASSAUDADDROP for $5 off your ticket!
💰 Tickets from $24 with $5 off code NASSAUDADDROP
📅 Sat June 27 | 12 PM - 7 PM
🔗 posh.vip/e/summerfest
✏️ PENCIL IT IN
Future you will be glad you read this.
Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show at Eisenhower Park 🎆 A free night of red, white and blue - live music from Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock, capped by a fireworks and drone show over the park. Bring chairs, blankets and the kids.
💰 Free
📅 Thu July 2 | 5:30 PM | East Meadow (rain date July 3)
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov
FourLeaf Air Show and Fireworks at Jones Beach ✈️ The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are joined by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team.
💰 $10 vehicle use fee | Chalet upgrades available
📅 Sun July 5 - Mon July 6
🔗 fourleafairshow.com
🔥 Worth the Scroll
The good stuff buried in the feed.
Tate's Bake Shop Coconut Macaroons 🥥 Everyone knows Tate's for the crispy chocolate chip cookies, but have you had the coconut macaroons? Trust me, pick up a pack. And if you can make it out to the actual shop in Southampton, it's super cute and the whole area's worth the trip.
🔗 tatesbakeshop.com
Croteaux Vineyards 🌹 Prefer roses over coconuts? This North Fork spot pours nothing but rosé, and the garden setting feels like you got teleported to the south of France. One of our favorites - well worth the drive east.
🔗 croteaux.com
Two Things:
Forward this to Nassau County parents you think would appreciate it.
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See you next Thursday,
Akash