1. Mother’s Day plants
The 20th annual Camas Plant and Garden Fair will feature a wide array of plants, trees, garden art and furniture, plus other locally made products, right before Mother’s Day. Visitors can explore different vendors booths, ask questions of garden experts and take advantage of the free potting station to help combine plants with containers. There will also be children’s activities, a petting zoo, food and live music. A portion of the sale funds will go to support educational scholarships for local women who are continuing their educations or returning to school. The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13 along Northeast Fourth Avenue in downtown Camas. 360-833-8371 or cwplantfair.org
Plus, Master Gardener Foundation hosts its yearly Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14 at 78th Street Heritage Farm, 1919 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. Discover all sorts of perennials, annuals, vegetables, trees, shrubs, herbs, houseplants, hanging baskets and flower bowls. All proceeds help support the WSU Master Gardener Program, horticulture education and healthy food growing grants in Clark County. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, and the Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society will also be there hosting its annual plant sale. 360-397-6060 ext. 5706 or www.mgfcc.com
2. Family of strings
Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Young String Ensemble will present a Family Concert at 1 p.m. May 13 at the Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver. This will be an interactive musical adventure for the whole family, aimed at children ages 2 to 8 years old, featuring an Instrument Petting Zoo of string instruments to try before the concert begins. The program includes Vivaldi’s “Winter,” Handel’s “Water Music Suite” and Donizetti’s “Quartet No. 9,” with children encouraged to dance and wiggle during the show. Tickets are $8, $5 for children and students. 503-223-5939 or portlandyouthphil.org
3. Mountain celebration
Summer on the Mountain: “It’s A Blast” helps kick off the visitor season at Mount St. Helens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 13, featuring live music and family-friendly science activities. The day will also commemorate the anniversary of the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens. Visitors can explore the two venues, hear stories about the eruption, take part in guided nature hikes, watch a “trash-cano,” enjoy a performance by Amber Sweeney from 1 to 4 p.m. and more. Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater, and the Johnston Ridge Observatory, 24000 Spirit Lake Highway, Toutle. Admission is $8 for both venues, free for ages 15 and younger. www.mshslc.org/events/#itsablast
