We will barely have time to recuperate from everyone’s favorite party – Cinco de Mayo – before it’s time for the big golf event of the year – the Players Championship at  TPC Sawgrass. Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I haven’t made any plans yet. Now, I am not known for preparing far in advance for any holiday. I am one of those guys who will go out on Christmas Eve to pick up a few gifts for Christmas. But this year, I was going to change all that. So, I decided to do some research and see what I could come up with for Mother’s Day this year.

Most people I’ve talked to usually take Mom out for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Some moms who have lots of kids end up going out to eat all day.  The biggest problem for families with many siblings seems to be to agree on who is having Mom over when. After all, there are only so many meals mom can eat in a day. This can be a great way to celebrate the day, especially if your Mom is a “foodie”. Just keep in mind that some restaurants get extremely busy on Mother’s Day and make a reservations.  (Hint; this is also a good way to impress Mom, especially for those of us who are not known for our great organizational skills.)

On the other hand, if you’re mom is like mine, who eats like a bird, this is not the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Besides, we have done that already. I wanted to see what else we could come up with to do for Moms in Jacksonville.

If you want to try something a little bit different this year,  keep reading.  I have found activities in Jacksonville both  you and your mother can enjoy. I even found a few that fit those of us who are working with a more modest budget for the big day.

The Snake Oil Salesman

I was so excited when I found this event. Unfortunately, there is no way I will be able to sell my Mom on this idea. Too bad! I would love to go and my kids would too. This event fits the bill as a very unique choice for Mother’s Day.

Maybe your Mom is a bona fide snake charmer who can’t wait to go to the Repticon Jacksonville Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. Boy, aren’t you lucky! My Mom would call me all kinds of names but Joe  if I ever tried to get her up close and personal with a reptile.

This event takes place on Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

For those of us who like the idea of animals, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has a special Mother’s Day deal which I am sure many mothers, including mine, really would enjoy. Keep in mind, the Zoo also has some amazing gardens. Kids young and old can bring Mom to the Zoo to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8th. You will receive one free adult or senior general admission ticket with the purchase of one adult or child ticket – but you need to print the special coupon from the website.

Here is the link to the coupon page.

Herding Cats for Mother’s Day

I usually can’t go wrong with animal encounters for Mother’s Day – as long as I stay away from the reptiles. This fundraising event sounds really cool. You can bring your whole gang out for a guided tour at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. During the tour you get to meet the special residents of the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary –  Siberian tigers, lions, cougars, spotted and black leopards, a serval, two coatimundis, a European wild cat and two arctic foxes. Bring family and friends out to see the big, beautiful cats at the sanctuary. Admission is $10 per person. Children 3-11 are $5, 2 years & under are free. (But remember, you’re supporting the sanctuary with your ticket purchase).

For more information visit the Catty Shack website.

Look Mom – No Hands!

Artsy Fartsy

My Mom enjoys arts and craft shows, so this festival is her cup of tea. The Sawgrass Village Art Festival Spring Show  is a juried art festival for fine artists. The popular festival on May 7 – 8, 2011, now in its 17th year, and the event attracts thousands of visitors every spring to Ponte Vedra. Here you can see a wide variety of art works from first-class watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, drawings, clay, photography, wood, glass, fiber, graphics, metal, paper to mixed media fine arts. In addition, there is also food, lots of other fun and children’s activities. The festival takes place at Sawgrass Village Shopping Center from 10am to 5pm both days. Admission is free.

Champagne Taste

In downtown Jacksonville, Sunday is always “Family Free Sunday” at MOCA Jacksonville. This is a good idea, especially if you have a big group.

You can splurge and treat Mom to a special Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch in Cafe Nola on Sunday, May 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  All Moms get free mimosas! Now we’re talking, my Mom would love that. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call (904) 366-6911, ext. 231 for reservations.  $25/adults, $8 children under 10

Visit www.MOCAjacksonville.org for more information.

Beach Bums for the Day

I’d suggest heading to Jacksonville Beach on Mother’s Day for a free concert.  Here you can enjoy a live performance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Sea Walk Pavilion.    The event area opens at 5:00 pm.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket for mom to sit on.   For those of us with a modest Mother’s Day budget, you could even turn the whole Mother’s Day dinner into a outdoor picnic.  Hey, you don’t even have to cook the picnic food. Just visit your grocery store’s deli counter and pick up cheese, sandwich meat and good bread. You could even go for a grilled chicken. Gather the family, make a big outing and a great impression while saving money, after all this is a free concert.

Singing Sisters

There is more music in Jacksonville. Fearless is the one word used to describe the creative spirit of groundbreaking duo Mary Mary.  Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with their crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You). Since then ” the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone. Mary Mary performes at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville May 7 – 8, 2011.

Get your Mary Mary tickets here!

Music for Bookworms

There is also a free concert at the Main Library downtown on Sunday May 8, 2011 at 2:30 pm, so if you’re going to MOCA, you might be able to stop by. Pianists Marion Wilkinson Scott and Rosa Villar Scott will perform works for piano solo and piano 4-hands, by Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, and Dvořák. Mr. Scott, a native of Jacksonville, and Mrs. Scott, who is from Lima, Peru, both have won numerous awards and prizes for their playing.

Music @ Main concerts are presented in the Main Library’s Hicks Auditorium, located on the Conference Level of the Library near the Main Street entrances. Call 904-630-2665 for more information.

Library customers who use the public garage at the corner of Duval Street and Main Street may take their garage tickets to the ground-floor Popular Services Desk to get validation for free parking. Free on-street parking is also available on weekends and evenings after 6 p.m.

Now, you might now that Jacksonville also becomes Rockville this weekend. Godsmack, Stone Sour, Seether and a bunch of other bands are performing at Metropolitan Park, but if you’re going to try to sell Mom on that event – you’re on your own.
(Go here to reserve your Rockville tickets now.)

For more information:

Repticon Jacksonville Reptile & Exotic Animal Show

Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Expo Center
510 Fairgrounds Place, Jacksonville, FL,32202

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218

www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
1860 Starratt Road
Jacksonville, FL 32226-1760
(904) 757-3603

www.cattyshack.org

Bike Tour
Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Bring your own bike , or rent one 
www.e2ride.com

The Sawgrass Village Art Festival
May 7 – 8, 2011

Sawgrass Village Shopping Center
1300 Sawgrass Village Dr.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art

www.MOCAjacksonville.org

Pops at the Beach
Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Event Hotline (904) 247-6100 press 3
www.jacksonvillebeach.org

Mary Mary
Florida Theater
128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Fl

www.floridatheatre.com

Music @ Main Concert

Main Library
303 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-630-2665