Things to do: Mother's Day, First Fridays, Beer Blasts and Founders Day fun

Celebrate a fun and festive Mother's Day weekend with another First Fridays, the return of Columbia CARES' Beer Blast, live music, education fundraisers and more.

1. Springfest Beer Blast

This weekend's long list of things to do kicks off with the return of Columbia CARES' always popular Winterfest Beer Blast, renamed Springfest Beer Blast.

Craft beer enthusiasts, whiskey connoisseurs and other community members are invited to the annual beer fest, which serves as one of Columbia CARES' largest annual fundraisers.

This year's event will also make its debut at The Factory of Columbia, 101 N. James M. Campbell Blvd., starting at 6 p.m. Friday, running until 10 p.m.

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Springfest Beer Blast will feature more tasting stations than ever before, from local and regional breweries and taprooms, as well as independent brewers. There will also be a bourbon and spirits tasting bar offered for an up-charge.

And don't forget those tasty, but elusively effective "Rummy Gummies" (30 pounds of gummy bears soaked in coconut rum).

Tickets are $30 for general beer tasting admission, $40 to include the bourbon and spirits tasting bar.

2. First Fridays

Those not attending the Springfest Beer Blast will find lots of fun downtown for Columbia's May edition of its exciting and popular monthly First Fridays.

Main First Fridays events will take place from 5-8 p.m., with live music, vendors and other stations set up around the square. Downtown shops will also stay open late.

Be sure to stop by West 7th Co. for its spring exhibit, featuring vintage Mule Day photographs, as well as art by local artist and architect James Sloan.

Stop by the breezeway on the northeast side of the square for Classic Vinyl, who will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, 104 E. 5th St., will partner with local veteran group Vet 2 Vet for a special vendor event starting at 4 p.m. Customers can shop vendors from local companies and nonprofits like Jackson Blume, Cigars 4 Warriors and Military Sportsmen of America. Live music starts at 7 p.m., featuring Brittany Sexton, Malachias and Yonder Grove.

For the kids, Needle & Grain, 510 N. Garden St., will host a First Fridays Bubble Party, featuring lots of bubble-related toys and crafts, arcade games, ice cream, as well as a bubble-themed selfie booth.

3. A Night of Hope with Bob Goff at Hardison Mill Farms

Here's another fun one for the kids and the whole family.

Drive out to Rory Feek's Hardison Mill Farm, 4544 Highway 431, for a special Night of Hope event, which takes place starting at 5 p.m. Friday.

The fundraiser event will feature tours of the farm's one-room schoolhouse and gardens, as well as a cocktail hour, hors d'oeuvres and live music.

The evening's highlight will include a presentation at 7 p.m. by keynote speaker and education advocate Bob Gall, whose nonprofit LoveDoes.org works to educate children living in conflict zones by empowering them to break the cycle of war and build a culture of peace. Goff and his team believe that attending school helps restore normalcy and hope, in the midst of conflict.

Tickets range from $300 to $2,500 for a table of 10 and are available at www.EventBrite.com.

4. Founder's Day at Rippavilla

Celebrate history and community this weekend with a visit to Historic Rippavilla, 5700, Main St., as Spring Hill celebrates its first Founders Day.

According to a press release, the rain-or-shine event, which will take place from 3-9 p.m. Saturday, will be held "in honor of everyone who has made — and, today, makes — the city such a friendly and interesting place."

Founders Day will feature a number of activities, including live music, food trucks, historic exhibits, games and more for all ages. It is also free to attend.

"What better way to kick off the summer months, meet new friends and learn more about our wonderful city?” said Kayce Williams, the director of Spring Hill Parks and Recreation. “This is a free, family event for all of us to celebrate and learn more about Spring Hill’s rich agricultural history.”

Live music starts at 5 p.m., with the lineup featuring Brother Maven, Erin Enderlin, Brice Long, Phillip White and Leslie Satcher.

There will also be a surprise giveaway for the first 200 attendees.

5. Live entertainment

Zion Christian Academy, 6901 Old Zion Road, presents its production of "Bye Bye Birdie," which begins at 7 p.m. Friday. General admission tickets are $10. Doors will open at 6 p.m., allowing guests to also enjoy the school's art and photography show in the lobby.

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The Maury County Arts Guild, 705 Lion Parkway, will have its final run of "The Marvelous Wonderettes," with performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, students and veterans. Kids ages 13 and under are $5.

Alex Mabey will perform at Vintage Winery, 616 N. Main St., starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Cord Martin will later perform starting at 6:30 p.m.

Phunky Blues Rock Band (PBR) will perform at Big Shake's, 822 S. Main St., starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Sean Carson will perform at DB's Eats & Beats, 1144 Riverside Drive, starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Escape Band will perform at Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 150 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway, starting at 8 p.m. Friday.

The Jolly String Quartet will perform at Puckett's in downtown Columbia starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lawrence Nemenz will perform at Bad Idea Brewing, 307 W. 11th St. in the Columbia Arts Building, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Real Deal Band will perform at The Rebel Bar and Grill, 307 Riverside Drive, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Jesse Taylor will perform at Common Law Brewing Co., 4825 Main St., starting at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Amber Falls Winery & Cellars will host another Music on The Ridge featuring the Jim Fox Trio, who will perform from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Mostarda food truck will also be serving food starting at 1 p.m.

Jay Powell covers events and entertainment at The Daily Herald. Contact him at jpowell@c-dh.net or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Mother's Day, First Fridays, Beer Blasts and Founders Day weekend fun