Bill Plate horsed around with sons Canaan, 11, and Maddox, 10, while enjoying a Father's Day breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes, and biscuits and gravy Sunday at American Legion Post 5.
"Why not have a good breakfast on Father's Day and get to see some friends out here, too," said Plate, a member of the Legion and its motorcycle enthusiast group, the Legion Riders.
The American Legion breakfast was one of many ways Jefferson City residents celebrated Father's Day.
A day earlier, Plate and his sons started their Father's Day weekend by attending Wings Over Whiteman, the annual air show at Whiteman Air Force base.
"We saw a jet and airplane show and we went in a couple helicopters and we had a ton of fun. We rode motorcycles there and back," Canaan said.
Also at the American Legion was Todd Linhardt, who brought his wife, Bonnie, and their daughter's family.
For them, it's a Father's Day tradition and a way to support the Legion.
Todd Linhardt said they don't do much gift exchanging; they just spend some time together. Three of his grandchildren joined them for breakfast, and he said they might play catch together later in the day.
Another father at the event was Brett Roberts, who was among a dozen in their group including his wife, daughter, son-in-law and his in-laws.
"It means a lot. I couldn't celebrate the day without them," Roberts said, adding with a laugh: "For the most part, they're good people."
Ruth VanLoo, Roberts' mother-in-law, said they've done different things on Father's Day in the past. They chose breakfast at the Legion this time.
"Otherwise, I would have had to cook for them all," she joked. "It's just part of the day. We like to get together when we can."
One year, the group said they went fishing together.
At the football field by Simonsen 9th Grade Center, Eddie Ross and his 14-year-old stepson Shawntez Cagle were among a group that plays football there every Sunday, rain or shine.
Cagle said Ross is like a father to him.
Ross has 11 sons of his own; some live in Kansas City, Chicago and elsewhere.
"I try to spend as much time as possible with my kids," Ross said, adding he travels a lot to see them.
"That's quality time for real," he said. "It grows the bonds and makes them stronger."
At Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool, dads could swim free with a paid child admission.
Dalton Sussy brought his family, including his son, Hunter, 6, and nephew Kyle Miller, 4.
His brother is deployed overseas, so he's spending time with his nephew, he said.
Father's Day for his family often means grilling and spending time with family. But the children appeared to be having a good time with Sussy at the pool this Father's Day.
"I'm having a blast with them," he said.