4th Annual May Flowers Craft & Vendor Show at The 8820 Event Center
April snows bring May shows in Cleveland. Over 40 small businesses will be enticing their products—from baked goods, home décor, bath, candles, jewelry and more from the likes of Knits of Sunshine, Gingerbread Productions LLC and Beatrice’s Body Butters. Make it the perfect stroll with your friends or a frantic speed-walk from table-to-table for a Mother’s Day gift. Free, May 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 8820 Bender Road, N. Ridgeville, HometownVendors.org
4th Annual Taco & Tequila Crawl at Velvet Dog
Who says tacos need only be served on Tuesdays? Stuff yourself with at least four complimentary tacos as you trek from some of the town’s most iconic bars between drinks, including Barley House, Ivy and Inferno. VIP registration starts at Dive Bar from noon-3 p.m., includes a swaggering T-shirt, best taco voting and a complimentary 1800 tequila shot. $19.99-$39, May 7, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., 1214 W. 6th St., Cleveland, eventbrite.com
Cleveland Pickleball Classic at Mentor Civic Center Park
It’s time to give your arms a workout. Or, at least your vocals, as you cheer on neighbor’s as they fight for their dreams of becoming a World Pickleball Tournament champion. By skill groups, men’s singles and women’s doubles are set to play Friday, mixed doubles Saturday and men’s doubles and women’s singles Sunday-- with a total $5,000 payout on the line. Free to spectate, $70, May 6-8, 8 a.m., 8523 Munson Road, Mentor, 440-255-1100, pickleballtournaments.com
Color Vibe 5K at Lock 3 Park
If family members already think you’re crazy to run distance for fun, wait until they see you bespeckled, splattered and absolutely drenched with all colors of the rainbow. Come to get pummeled by color stations along the course, get a new 5K t-shirt for the growing collection and support a good cause. $32.99-$50, May 7, 9 a.m., 200 S. Main St., Akron, thecolorvibe.com/akron
Free Comic Book Day at Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop
Comics give off an energy and atmosphere all their own to the story telling world. More than 20,000 books are coming to Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop for this sacred day for comic lovers of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to check out The Rust Belt Monster’s latest black-light themed Dr. Strange mural, grab an exclusive Cleveland-eque Free Comic Book Day poster and meet Jim Shooter—who started writing for DC comics when he was 13 years old! Free, May 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., 17430 & 17462 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-252-0606, cnjcomics.com
Illustrious Gravitas at the YARDS Projects
The cartoonish connotation illustrations have invite the viewer to venture into alleys of the human experience that may otherwise seem daunting or foreboding. In a way, cartoons are shorthand for more complicated ideas. Illustrious Gravitas is a show that sheds light on this, displaying work Morgan Bukovec, Benji Diaz, Shyvonne Coleman and many more. Free, May 5-June 18, opening night 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. noon- 5 p.m., yardsproject.com, 216-570-0324, yardsproject.com
Leon Bridges at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Take a drive down to the river this Sunday evening for a night of Leon Bridges’ entrapping soul music and waterfront scenery. There’s nothing quite like watching the fuchsia-orange blaze of a Lake Erie sunset tint the Cuyahoga River, then the city lights glow in a night sky punctuated by the Powerhouse-turned-aquarium’s smokestack. $49.50-$119.25, May 8, 7:30 p.m., 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-622-6558, concerts.livenation.com
Let’s Party at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland needs no reason to rock, but this weekend, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame cites many: the anticipation of summer, baseball and Mother’s Day. Thursday, stop in to ogle at artifacts typically enclosed in the museum’s vault and archives. Saturday, the Blue Jays aren’t the only ones flocking from Toronto—The Darcys will be kicking off the evening before the game with a free concert to all. And Sunday is practically dedicated to Journey fans. Free-$30, May 5 & 7-8, Thur. 5 p.m.- 9 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. & Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland, 216-781-7625, rockhall.com/may-weekend
Margarita Stroll at DownTown Willoughby
Erie Street will be the scene of the party this Saturday—with 13 locations offering up premium margarita samples and food specials. These include local favorites from Spirit’s, Wild Goose, Hola Tacos and Ballantine. Local shops are also joining in the fun, with discounts for ticket holders at Siopa Boutique, Harmony Yoga Studios, Yogi’s Closet, Arabica Coffee and more. $40-$45, May 7, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., 38257 Glenn Ave., Willoughby, 216-410-9168, tastecle.com
Mother’s Day Brunch at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
If you’re stuck between taking mom on a stroll through a gorgeous garden or out to a delicious brunch, the Cleveland Botanical Garden is offering an opportunity to have the best of both worlds. Enjoy roasted potatoes with herbs, smoked bacon and coveted artichoke quiche. Then head out to take pictures with mom and a backdrop that will be breathtakingly memorable. $59-$82, May 8, various registration times between 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, holdenfg.org
Mother’s Day Picnic at Hale Farm & Village
Here’s to living the idyllic fantasy of rural life in pastoral masterpieces: lounge about the Hale Farm & Village grounds with a picnic basket and mom, while music steaming from the strings of the Akron Symphony Orchestra swells on the afternoon air. Enjoy not only the region’s spring grandeur, but also the special village tours and historic period costume collection on exhibit. Free-$20, May 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2686 Oak Hill Road, P.O. Box 296, Bath, 330-666-3711, 330tix.com
Mother’s Day Weekend at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
For all the heartache and headache you caused mom in your youth, in your adulthood you can now make up for buying her a drink—a $7 sparkling Moscato mango mimosa to be exact. This isn’t wine country’s only special this weekend—pair a Grand River Valley dolcetto with a blackened shrimp, parmesan garlic risotto dripping in smoky tomato sauce or a summer sangria refreshing vineyard pear insalata with dried cranberries. Various prices, May 6-8, Fri.- Sat. noon-9 p.m. & Sun. noon- 6 p.m., 440-466-8466, 5585 State Route 307, Geneva, ferrantewinery.com/events
Ramp Grab & Go Days at Peninsula
Discover the Towpath Trail at Trail Mix Peninsula with Park Ranger Rebecca Jones from 11 a.m.-noon, along with the edible plants in our own backyards. Vendors will be in the G.A.R. Hall parking lot until the late afternoon to give your tastebuds over to ‘shrooms, leeks and other local treats. Voices in the Valley follows, featuring Rachel Brown & the Beatnik Playboys. Free-$18, May 7, all day, Trail Mix Peninsula hike at 1600 Mill St. W., Peninusla & vendors at 6138 Riverview Road, Peninsula, 330-657-2528, peninsulaohio.com