Father's Day means family outings at Cape's Lazy L Safari

Dozens of families came out Sunday to celebrate Father's Day at the Lazy L Safari Park in Cape Girardeau.

Admission for fathers was half-price, and co-owner Vicki Lantz said seeing the animals offered an opportunity to spend time with fathers in a way outside the ordinary.

"We had a bunch of visitors," she said. "The parking lot was full, especially this morning."

Marie and Adam Fann brought their family from Carbondale, Illinois, to feed the goats, birds and camels and relax.

"Father's Day is about families coming together," Adam Fann said.

Marie said they planned the trip as a way to get away from everyday routines, see something new and spend time together.

"We came to Cape to go to Cape Splash, have lunch and come here," Marie said. "It sounded like something fun, something different,"

Between the squawking goats and the gigantic camels, it didn't seem to disappoint.

"I'm really enjoying the day," Adam said. "I have my son here. We got to spend time together; it's great."

Tyler Fann was shy, but his cousin, 9-year-old Christian Summers, said he enjoys Father's Day because his dad taught him how to fish.

"We go fishing together," he said. "We go anywhere."

Lantz said it was nice to see area families getting quality time with their fathers. Her father, Dave Hale, operated Lazy L Safari Park when she was growing up, and she remembers how he taught her the value of hard work and how to care for the animals.

"If he were still alive, he'd be right up here with me here today," she said. "He loved taking care of the animals."

Her husband, Todd, got to enjoy his Father's Day by taking the afternoon off, she said.

"A light day means just the chores in the morning," she said. "But he gets to relax today. We may cook out yet when we get down here to celebrate."

After feeding the animals, of course.

tgraef@semissourian.com

388-3627