How are you celebrating mom this weekend? Here are a few ideas for events around town that can show you put some thought into something she might enjoy for Mother's Day.
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- Make her laugh. Jeff Allen, known for his clean humor about marriage and family, is in a special engagement through Saturday at the Comedy Catch, 29 Station St. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6 and 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $30-$35. thecomedycatch.com
- Hear her scream. Nothing like a few circuits on Lake Winnepesaukah's Cannon Ball roller coaster to get the adrenaline pumping. The North Georgia amusement park, at 1730 Lakeview Drive in Rossville, opens for the season this weekend. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Unlimited rides cost $31 for ages 3-59 ($32 at gate). Go on Sunday for the Mother's Day carload special, which charges $120 for up to five people. lakewinnie.com
- Give her a thrill. The Scenic City State Fair, aka Thrillville, continues through Sunday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. The attraction includes carnival rides by Kissel Entertainment, games, food booths and daily shows (Aquatic Acrobatics, Sea Lion Splash, Dominguez Circus, Wild West Medicine Show). Hours are 5-10 p.m. weekdays, 1-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10. Unlimited rides cost $30 weekdays, $35 weekends. thethrillville.com/eastridge
- Plan a picnic. Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St., is encouraging Mother's Day picnics in the park to accompany a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. Sunday for "Lime Green Wedding Cake," a new steel sculpture by Austin I. Collins. The park is open sunup to sundown. sculpturefields.org
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- Walk through wildflowers. DeSoto State Park, 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE in Fort Payne, Ala., plans several free hikes and programs as part of its annual Wildflower Saturday celebration. Hours are 7 a.m.-7:15 p.m. CDT. alapark.com/DSP-Wildflower-Saturday
- Amble through azaleas and rhododendrons. Massive rock formations give Rock City its name, but the park's Southern Blooms Festival calls attention to the more than 400 native plant species that grow along the woodland paths. The festival takes place the next two weekends at Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Timed entry is 8:30-5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and May 14-15. Tickets are $18-$28. seerockcity. com
- Treat her to mimosas. Rabbit Valley Farmers Market opens its season with a Mother's Day celebration that will include mimosas among the food offerings. Hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at 96 Depot St. in Ringgold, Ga. More than 40 vendors will have merchandise for sale, and musicians Josh Driver, Eric Kirkendoll and Sam Steadman will perform between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com
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- Help her cultivate a green thumb. Bees on a Bicycle, a garden shop at 1909 Market St., will celebrate motherhood with Bees Garden Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Tables will be set up for potting plants to take home (cost varies). The day also includes a performance by Ballet Esprit at 11 a.m., beverages from Be Caffeinated, eco-friendly products from Olivine Glass Recycling and jewelry from Colefire. beesonabicycle.com
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- Fit her for a custom T-shirt. For the World's Best Mom Market, scheduled 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., local business Neat Pony will be screen-printing "World's Best Mom" T-shirts on site in fluorescent pink or purple. Bouquets and other gifts also will be for sale by the 15 or so vendors. thechattery.org
- Make it a market day. Chattanooga Market will be filled with vendor booths to peruse for the perfect gift Sunday, along with fresh flowers and lunch options. Performing will be Kathy Veazey and John Rawlston at 12:30 p.m. and Call Me Spinster at 2 p.m. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. Admission is free. chattanoogamarket.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.