The second weekend of May offers a variety of family fun activities in the Rockford region.

Here's 17 things to do this Mother's Day weekend.

Dinner on the Dock

What: Enjoy locally and nationally recognized musical acts from CMT and ACM awards shows, American Idol, The Voice, and more. The band for the season’s first event will be Minimal. Walk-up food line, inside brew pub and Sizz ‘n Fizz food truck will be available. Public seating is first-come, first-served, but reservations can be made online.

When: 5 to 10 p.m. every Thursday (live music from 6 to 9 p.m.) through Sept. 7

Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: 815-277-9427

Related: Popular Rockford brewery announces new weekly event for the summer

Ice Cream Social

What: Come for free self-guided tours. Free ice cream and free education.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Hoo Haven, 10823 Cleveland Road, Durand

Cost: Free, but donations are welcome

For more: 815-629-2212

Events for Mom

What: Enjoy boozy wine floats and ice cream scoops at Ice Cream Social. Build a succulent plant in a souvenir DC wine glass as you celebrate Mom.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Where: DC Estate Winery, 8877 Stateline Road, South Beloit

For more: 608-481-1565

More: Looking for a Mother's Day brunch spot? Check out one of these 9 places

Budding Artists 8th Annual Gala

What: The Budding Artists Gala highlights young artists, supports them and teaches them about philanthropy. This fundraiser provides an opportunity for the selected artists from ten high schools (Auburn, Boylan Catholic, Christian Life High School, East, Guilford, Jefferson, Keith Country Day School, Rockford Christian High School, Rockford Lutheran and Roosevelt) to showcase and earn money for their original work.

When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford

Cost: $65

For more: 815-980-1966

Rockford Famous: Opening Reception

What: This group art exhibition will showcase self-portraits by prominent Rockford artists, portraying not only their image, but how they see themselves within the landscape of the city. Work will be on display in the lobby of city hall through June 16th. The opening reception at Rockford City Hall is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The after party will be from 8:45 to 11:30 p.m. at The Hub Art Gallery, 522 Seventh St. Additional work from Rockford Famous artists will be on display in the gallery.

When: 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Rockford City Hall, 425 E. State St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

Winnebago Farmers Market

What: The Winnebago Farmers Market features locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, cut flowers, potted perennials and baked goods.

When: 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 27

Where: North Elida and Bluff Streets, Winnebago

Cost: Free admission

For more: 815-335-7617

More: Fresh produce, artwork, flowers and more: Check out these 11 Rockford-area farmers markets

Muffins with Mom

What: Make lasting memories while enjoying locally made muffins and juice. Pick and pay for pottery at the event. All moms get 20 percent off their chosen pottery piece.

When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday

Where: The Pottery Lounge, 6059 E. State St., Rockford

Cost: $4

For more: 815-977-3937

Annual Flower Sale

What: The annual plant sale is a two-day event. Cocoa mulch will be for sale at the club building.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 IL 76, Belvidere

Cost: Free admission; sales with cash or check only.

Inscape Collective's Volunteer Orientation Day, Shopping and Concert

What: Inscape Collective invites Rockford area moms, as well as their aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers, to attend a Volunteer Orientation Day at Inscape. Learn how you can become part of this creative Midtown endeavor. Welcome, informational session and tour of store between 10 a.m. and noon. Acoustic duo Ashley and Simpson from Chicago will perform at night. Seating is first come, first served, in the Inscape Community Room.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday with concert at 7 p.m.

Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford

Cost: No admission; freewill offering accepted

For more: Ruth Jackson at 815-988-0713 or Mary Ann Presman at 815-978-0202

G5 Brewing Company 4th Anniversary Celebration

What: Celebrate four years of G5 Brewing Company with a special day-of beer release, street tacos, raffles and live entertainment. Enjoy a brewery tour at the start of each hour from noon to 4 p.m.

When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

Where: G5 Brewing Company, 1895 Gateway Blvd., Beloit, Wis.

Cost: Free admission

For more: 608-368-7492

Great Downtown Open House

What: The Element invites the greater Rockford community to experience new retail shops, locally owned restaurants, salons, art galleries, and more. Newcomers will find coffee shops for a daytime latte fix and bakeries featuring fresh artisan bread and pastries. As the sun sets, the GDOH features an evening of music, art shows, local restaurants, and adult beverages.

When: Noon to midnight Saturday

Where: Downtown Rockford

Cost: Free entry

For more: https://www.facebook.com/TheElementRockford

Tinker Cottage Paranormal Investigation with Henson and Bartel Paranormal

What: Haunted Rockford partners with Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens to bring Henson and Bartel Paranormal back. This is your chance to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about. You will be the paranormal investigator. You are welcome to bring your own equipment. All events begin in the barn.

When: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday

Where: Tinker Swiss Cottage, 411 Kent St., Rockford

Cost: $40; must be paid in advance

For more: 815-871-4239

Bloomfest: A Spring Artisan Market

What: A market full of local, handmade goods, plus live music, food and beverage trucks, kids’ activities and a large-scale art installation.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive, Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: 815-877-0118

Kiwanis Pork Chop Day

What: The Parks Kiwanis fundraiser includes a pork chop sandwich, Ole Salty’s Potato Chips, applesauce and a bottle of water.

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Loves Park City Hall, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park

Cost: $8; $7 in advance

For more: 815-703-1429

Sunset Strip

What: Get your 1980s hairband fix from local band Sunset Strip.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Casey’s Pub, 7307 N. Alpine Road, Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: 815-637-6088

Coming next week...

Paw Patrol Live! Heroes Unite

What: This new production is an interactive live stage show where members of the audience get to be heroes unleashed, helping the pups solve puzzles as honorary members of the pack while they navigate the globe to make it back to Adventure Bay in the nick of time. Visual effects, storytelling and musical score will have guests dancing in their seats and singing along. Action and fun for the whole family.

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17

Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $40 to $65

For more: 815-968-5222

Food Truck Tuesdays

What: Enjoy food from local food trucks, while soaking in the beauty of the gardens.

When: Every Tuesday through Oct. 24

Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: 815-987-8858

Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Dinner on the Dock, Mother's Day and more: 17 things to do in Rockford