11 ways to celebrate Mother's Day in Lake & Sumter County
Looking for something to do with Mom? Events are happening in the coming days leading up to the annual holiday, as well as on Sunday.
May 8 | A touch of 'Whimsy' at the Venetian Center
The Whimsy folks are celebrating moms at the Venetian Center on Thursday, May 8, with the Mother's Day Market, 5-8 p.m. Fifty-plus local vendors will hawk their wares, food trucks will feed the crowd and a DJ will entertain and more. The Venetian Center is located at 1 Dozier Circle, Leesburg. Details at facebook.com/whimsymarketfl.
Joa Jane Harpster, membership and events director of the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, has set up her business Lah Tea Dah at 1012 W Main St., and takes part in the celebration on Feb. 28, 2025.
May 9-10 | Special tea parties at Lah-Tea-Dah
Celebrate Mom at Lah Tea Dah's Sunshine & Sweet Moments Afternoon Tea. On Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, seatings will be at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
"Join us as we honor the incredible moms and mother figures who fill our lives with love, laughter and warmth," the event's invitation says.
On Saturday only, the event joins the Garden Block Party & Market (see details below) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. General tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children under 10. "The Queen Mum" is $45 for adults and $30 for children under 10 (includes a special gift & deluxe tea service). A La Carte Tea & Scones is $10 (Sat 8 a.m.-1 p.m. only). Lah Tea Dah is located at 1012 W. Main St., Leesburg. Details: lahteadah.com.
May 9 | Free dinner & dancing in Wildwood
Wildwood invites all to its Moms & Meatballs celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 6. The city is hosting the free dinner event at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood. Included are a spaghetti dinner, an ice cream bar, a photo booth and dancing. Pre-registration is required to reserve a seat, at wildwood-fl.gov or call 352-461-0134. Email parksandrec@wildwood-fl.gov for more info.
VerdeVin owner Carla Garcia serves champagne and cupcakes at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Gary Lee Sligh Fabric Arts, Lah Tea Dah, Bases Loaded Consulting Group and VerdeVin Co. on Feb. 28, 2025.
May 10 | Garden Block Party & Market in Leesburg
In the back of 1012 W. Main St., Leesburg, you'll discover an elegant little plant shop that now occupies a made-over carriage house. At VerdeVin, you can sip wine while relaxing and browsing beautiful flora. To celebrate her new shop, VerdeVin owner Carla Garcia is hosting a block party with local food vendors and free Mimosas from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
"Join us for a dreamy girls' day out full of sunshine, shopping and sweet moments," the Facebook invite says. The event features, of course, plant and garden retailers, boutique retail, sweets, fresh breads and local desserts and a tea service. Visit the VerdeVin Co. Facebook page for updates or email Verdevinllc@gmail.com.
May 10 | Lake Square Mall Mother's Day Craft Fair
Find unique gifts for Mom with more than 20 vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Lake Square Mall, 10401 U.S. 441, Leesburg. At noon, a special concert by Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" will entertain Moms and kids in the mall's center court. Call 352-789-2651 for details.
May 10-11 | 'Mamas & Mimosas' at Far Reach Ranch
Far Reach Ranch celebrates its third annual Mamas & Mimosas Mother's Day Event on Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Take your mom out for U-pick blueberries, a mimosa bar, build your own bouquet, food trucks, hayrides, jump around with the kids in a bounce house, listen to live music and more. Enjoy the farm's supercool Vinyl Brunch, too. Free mimosa with car pass purchase at farreachranch.com.
Note: No entrances to the farm are allowed past 3 p.m. Find Far Reach at 1255 S. Dora Blvd., Tavares. $10 per vehicle in advance, $15 at the gate. Details: farreachranch.com/events-list.
The Rose Plantation restaurant is located at 200 Rose Ave. in Fruitland Park.
May 11 | Historic Rose Plantation takes Mom back in time
Treat Mom to a special date on Mother's Day lunch at the picturesque Rose Plantation from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. Repurposed from a century-old home, the restaurant is nestled in a four-acre Old Florida landscape once owned by the Dwight family of Massachusetts, located along the banks of Fountain Lake at 200 Rose Ave. Call 352-805-4340 to make a reservation.
May 11 | Make it a 'Mission' to please Mom at lavish brunch
On Sunday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Mission Resort + Club will present its annual Mother's Day Grand Brunch Buffet. The resort's La Hacienda welcomes Moms and their offspring with Champagne, made-to-order omelets, delicately fluffed pancakes, authentic Belgian waffles and other breakfast classics. Cost is $70. Reservations at opentable.com are required. Note: Indoor or outdoor preference not accommodated. First come, first served.
May 11 | Eaton's Beach Mother's Day Buffet
Craving a unique waterfront experience? Head to Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill in Weirsdale for a Mother's Day buffet with lunch and dinner options. Their Mimosa and Brunch Buffet will be served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Dinner Buffet will be served from 2 to 8 p.m. with a "Mimosa for Mama."
The brunch will include traditional breakfast goodies, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, an omelet station, Bananas Foster and a carving station. The dinner buffet will feature citrus-glazed salmon, fried chicken and more. The restaurant's Florisiana menu is available at 11 a.m. in the Sandbar area only. Buffet will only be available on the main level. No reservations. Eaton's Beach is at 15790 SE 134th Ave., Weirsdale. facebook.com/EatonsBeach.
May 11 | Blueberry U-Pick at Amber Brooke Farms
Pick fresh blueberries for just $4.95 per pound and enjoy a full day of fun with Amber Brooke Farms' Farm Fun Pass, $10 at the gate for access to their giant slide hill, jump pads, ball zone and playgrounds.
This Mother's Day, May 11, the farm is adding something extra special for Mom. Kids can paint a pot as a heartfelt gift, and moms receive a free lemonade, mimosa, or wine slushy to sip and relax. It all happens Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 36111 N. County Road 44A, Eustis. amberbrookefarms.com/event/blueberry-u-pick-12.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park offers scenic trappings and a beach for a Mother's Day picnic.
Treat Mama to a picnic at the park
Let's face it: Restaurants are crowded on Mother's Day. In many ways, it can feel like amateur day to local diners. If you're not in the mood for the noise and hubbub, get up early Sunday morning, pack a picnic and head to a Florida State Park. One word of advice: Don't settle for PB&J's and potato chips. Try to pack something special. Wild Fork has some deals on yummy pre-prepared brunch items.
If you like cool springs, head out before 8 a.m. and beat the crowd at Kelly Park and Rock Springs Run State Reserve. If your mom enjoys the beach or botanical gardens, enjoy both at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on the Atlantic Coast.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 11 Mother's Day events and ideas in Lake & Sumter County
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