Fun things to do this weekend in Leesburg/Lake County

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
·5 min read
Nikki Forde's "Power Struggle," featured in the solo exhibition "Horsepower" at Plaza Lincoln in Leesburg. An opening reception will be held Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Nikki Forde's "Power Struggle," featured in the solo exhibition "Horsepower" at Plaza Lincoln in Leesburg. An opening reception will be held Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

There's an event for every type of mom this Mother's Day weekend. Make her laugh with a tribute to the "Golden Girls." If she's an animal love her, take her to local farm events or birding at the Green Mountain Overlook, or buy her original art at fine art shows and a major annual festival in Lakeland. Or, if she's a night owl, get dressed up and order some margaritas at Noche Latina Saturday night.

FRIDAY

Nicki Forde's 'Horsepower' captures the majesty of wild mustangs

Giddy-up to an opening reception for "Horsepower," a new solo show by painter Nicki Forde, a self-taught contemporary visual artist and mustang advocate creates equestrian scenes from sporting horses to wild mustangs.

Based in downtown Leesburg, Forde realized she could do more with her artistic talents while working in advertising and graphic design. Meet her and see her works at an opening reception with refreshments at the Plaza Lincoln Gallery, 8925 U.S. 441, Leesburg, on Friday, May 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 429 W. Magnolia St., Leesburg. Details: leesburgarts.com.

If you're lucky, you might see the Florida Scrub Jay at the Global Big Day bird count gathering at Green Mountain Overlook Saturday.
If you're lucky, you might see the Florida Scrub Jay at the Global Big Day bird count gathering at Green Mountain Overlook Saturday.

SATURDAY

Birders flock to Green Mountain Overlook for Global Big Day

Take part in Global Big Day, an annual celebration of the birds, at the Green Mountain Overlook in southeast Lake County. You can join park staff in helping Cornell eBird take a count and snapshots of birds such as swallow-tailed kites, crows, anhingas and short-tailed hawks and less frequent visitors you see at the park.

You can also do it from home or wherever you are if you can't go to Green Mountain Overlook. Details on how to participate can be found at ebird.org/news/global-big-day-2024 or download the free eBird Mobile app to make submitting lists even easier. Green Mountain Overlook is located at 20700 County Rd 455, Minneola. Park details: 352-253-4950.

Enjoy some margaritas and more at Noche Latina this Saturday at Perla Tapatía.
Enjoy some margaritas and more at Noche Latina this Saturday at Perla Tapatía.

Fiesta at Noche Latina at Perla Tapatía in Eustis

Want to add some picante spice to your Saturday night? La Perla Tapatía hosts its Noche Latina Saturdays, featuring food, drinks, a DJ and possibly dancing en Español.

The restaurant's Facebook page boasts the "flavor of classic Mexican dishes in a pleasant and vibrant atmosphere with a variety of dishes ranging from tasty tacos to different vegetarian options and amazing cocktails." $10 cover. Takes place every Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 2060 S. Bay St. Call 352-602-4460.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Fine art photographer Lisette Otero-Lewis shows her intimate works in "The Third Space," a pop-up exhibition at the Lake County Museum of Art.
Fine art photographer Lisette Otero-Lewis shows her intimate works in "The Third Space," a pop-up exhibition at the Lake County Museum of Art.

Venture into 'The Third Space' via evocative fine art photography

Fine art photographer Lisette Otero-Lewis says she uses a lyrical style in her work, "combining elements of documentary photography with a more personal and emotional approach, to create both honest and evocative works."

See her intimate studies in a Lake County Museum of Art solo pop-up exhibition, "El Tercer Espacio/The Third Space." LCMA is open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and can be found at 213 W. Ruby St., Tavares. Details: 352-483-2900, lakeartmuseum.com.

FRIDAY thru SUNDAY

'Golden Gals Live!' bring sass to Clermont

Who knew the Golden Girls could be a drag? Relive the wit and moxie of Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche and Rose at a Clermont Performing Arts Center show this Friday night, directed and written by "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Hocus Pocus 2" performer Ginger Minj.

The award-winning show stars Minj, Gidget Galore, Divine Grace and MR MS Adrien as the beloved Miami ladies originally brought to life by the late-great Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan. The antics ensue at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, at the CPAC, 3700 S. U.S. 27, Clermont. Tickets are $45-$75 and can be purchased at clermontperformingarts.com.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

One tank trip: Lakeland's Mayfaire-by-the-Lake Art Festival

Art, people-watching and a convivial small-town atmosphere can be enjoyed with Mom at Mayfaire-by-the-Lake, a highly anticipated annual arts festival at Lake Morton in charming downtown Lakeland. The festival launched in 1971 as a small crafts fair on the lawn of the Lakeland Public Library, but, in the decades since, it has grown into one of Florida’s largest and most celebrated annual outdoor art festivals.

Presented on Mother’s Day weekend each year, Mayfaire features more than 150 artist booths. The event takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11-12. Details: mayfairebythelake.org

Celebrate Mom at fun-filled farms

It's Mother's Day weekend, and you can take Mom to enjoy all the good things in life that Lake County County's welcoming farms have to offer. Amber Brooke Farms is hosting a Mother's Day Sundown Social on Saturday, May 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. and U-Pick opportunities during the day.

Bringing the kids? There's fun for the whole family, too, including the farm's Bubble Barn, Ball Zone, Slide Hill, Family Tug-O-War and more. Visit the farm's Mother's Day U-Pick event page on Facebook for more information. The park is located at 36111 N. County Road 44A, Eustis. Details: 352-973-1963.

Enjoy carnival-style fun with Mom by treating her to fresh pickin's at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont this Saturday and Sunday. Kaleigh LeBeau serenades the crowd from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Blueberry, sunflower, zinnia, peach and seasonal vegetable picking; Southern Hill Farms food trucks serves lunch along with visiting food trucks Lo Cubano Kitchen and Willy's Crabs.

For dessert, seasonal donuts, blueberry cobbler and more sweet treats are available in the bakery. Details: southernhillfarms.com.

Wine down Weekends at the Winery free outdoor concerts

Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy free live music at the Lakeridge Winery this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Entertaining duo Gilly & the Girl performs, playing everything from James Taylor and the Beatles to Whitney Houston, Jim Croce and Patsy Cline.

On Sunday, you can check out Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, who has opened for Buddy Guy and B.B. King on comes from a long line of polished blues guitarists from Texas.

No coolers or outside food and beverages allowed. Admission and parking are free. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is at 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont. Visit lakeridgewinery.com/WATW for details on its wines and other goods.

Hosting an event in Lake County or nearby? Email description and photo (without text, please) to news@dailycommercial.com. Please notify us at least two weeks in advance.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Your weekend guide: Cool stuff to do with mom and more in Lake County