Sunday was Father's Day – a day to say “thank you” to the fathers and father figures in our lives.
Many Bronx families spent the day at the St. Anthony Feast in Belmont, where they enjoyed food, games and rides.
It marked 115 years since the first observance of Father's Day, which was first celebrated on June 19, 1910 in Washington state.
It wouldn’t be until 1972, decades after the inaugural Mother's Day, that dads got their own national holiday.
Bronx families told News 12 that attending the feast is about spending time together and making memories.
“It’s special because [the festival is] in the Bronx,” said Noble Davis, a father of two. “We didn’t have to go far, and this is the first time I've been to this festival…To have this locally is amazing.”
“Sometimes [fathers are] underappreciated,” said Margie Barbareno, who attended the event with her family. “So, we do appreciate the fathers on Father’s Day, and we try to have fun. Thank you, guys, for everything that you do.”
Americans plan to spend a record $24 billion on the holiday. The National Retail Foundation said nearly half of American consumers will buy a gift for a dad or stepfather.