In the NYC Dads Group’s short eight-year life, we’ve hosted more than 1,500 different gatherings around the tri-state area. We continue to grow and evolve, but some special traditions remain intact, including the annual NYC Dads Group Pre-Father’s Day Family Picnic.

NYC Dads Group members, their spouses, partners and offspring gathered for our seventh annual family picnic on Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Central Park. The picnic is always one of our largest and most successful events, bringing together the entire family in honor of the approaching Father’s Day holiday. Attendance this year reached a staggering 150 people! Families socialized, laughed together, played ball with each other, and relaxed on a beautiful New York City afternoon.

This year’s annual Pre-Father’s Day Family Picnic had a special element — boxed picnic lunches and treats courtesy of sponsor Dove Men+Care. This Father’s Day, Dove Men+Care is celebrating how dads’ caring side elevates him to hero status in the eyes of his children.

These types of caring dads were front and center at our annual picnic. The best way to highlight these real dads — our NYC Dads Group members — showing moments of care as a sign of real strength was through photos. You’ll observe that we don’t need to be caped crusaders to show our “super powers” of nurturer, baby soother, cozy pillow for napper, hair braider, adventuruer, jump rope holder, or being there to pick up our children when they fall. Special thanks to our friend, group member and resident photographer Nick Lioi for taking these great shots and letting us publish them.

NYC Dads Group Pre-Father’s Day Picnic 2016

DISCLOSURE: While the Father’s Day picnic may have been sponsored by Dove Men+Care, the photos and our wonderful memories are real. Get out there and be a superhero to your kids, dad.