Mother’s Day Weekend will be a busy one as there are a variety of activities to do other than the traditional brunch.

Leading the way is superstar contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin. Other music options lean country and western with Boots In The Park and a Morgan Wallen tribute band, “7 Summers,” at ApCal Rock’n Ranch.

Or you can take Mom out to the ballgame with the Fresno Grizzlies and their Mother’s Day celebration. The possibilities are endless as we celebrate the special women in our lives.

Check out our expanded list of events at this link.

Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin, one of the most successful Christian touring artists today, brings his Holy Forever World Tour to Save Mart Center on Thursday. The tour is aptly named for the hit single sitting at more than 140 million streams. “Holy Forever,” a Grammy-nominated six-week  No.1 single, has become one of the most significant songs of Tomlin’s 20-plus year career.

His tour is in support of his new album, “Live From Good Friday,” and his book, “How Great is Our God: Living a Worship-Led Life in a Me-Driven World”.

Amongst his accomplishments, he’s scored 21 No. 1 singles amd 30 Top 10 hits (more than any other Christian artist). He’s sold more than 12 million albums with 6.8 billion career global streams, a Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards, 29 Dove Awards. Tomlin is also a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year and an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year.

In 2016, he was named one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for more than 1 billion digital radio streams, in the same company as Justin Timberlake, Pitbull, and Garth Brooks. He’s also the first Christian artist to reach the billion streams threshold on Pandora and was presented with their Billionaire award.

Get your tickets here.

CIF State Swim & Dive Championships

Hundreds of California’s top high school swimmers and divers will compete at the CIF Swim and Dive Championships. It’s at the Clovis West Olympic Swim Complex from Thursday to Saturday.

Since 2015, Clovis Unified has been home to the state championships. The event draws more than 8,000 spectators and an estimated $1.2 million in tourism revenue.

The stands will be filled with fans cheering for Valley swimmers to bring home state medals.

Get your tickets here.

Sandra Bernhard/Fresno Rainbow Pride Festival

Comedian/actress and LGBT+ icon Sandra Bernhard will host an exclusive performance at the Tower Theatre on Saturday to kick off the 2024 Fresno Rainbow Pride Festival.

Proceeds from Bernhard’s performance will benefit Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival. This marks the 34th anniversary for the festival, which is the largest Pride celebration in the Central Valley and will again be at the Fresno City College campus.

As in past years, the parade will be in the Tower District. The festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its allies and features food, music, vendors, and entertainment.

Sandra Bernhard has been a performer, actress, singer and author for nearly five decades in the industry. On screen, you can see her in shows like, “American Horror Story,” “Broad City,” “2 Broke Girls,” “Brooklyn 99,” “Will & Grace,” “The Sopranos,” and “Roseanne.” Her most notable film credit, “The King of Comedy,” won her Best Supporting Actress by the National Society of Film Critics.

Bernhard has been doing stand-up comedy since the late ’70s. She’s currently in her seventh year hosting a weekly radio show “Sandyland” on SiriusXM, for which she won a broadcasting Gracie Award.

Get your tickets here.

Boots in the Park

The annual “Boots In The Park” returns to the lawn at Woodward Park this Saturday with Sam Hunt, Jake Owen, Niko Moon, Dylan Marlowe, Tyler Braden, Presley Tennant, and sound by Luwiss Lux!

It’ll be a full day of live country music, craft food and cocktails, line dancing, interactive art installations, and much more. This event is very popular. That’s why they’ve been doing it for eight years and counting.

Headliner Sam Hunt has received recognition from both inside and outside the country genre for his blending of styles, incorporating use of R&B and pop into the production and songwriting of his tunes. He’s been honored with numerous awards, including one American Music Award, one CMT Music Award, and nominations for Billboard Music Awards and Grammy Awards.

The whole lineup for the festival is going to be stellar. Bust out the cowboy hat and boots and have a good ol’ time.

Get your tickets here.

Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships

The Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held in Clovis at Buchanan High School at Veterans Memorial Stadium from Thursday to Saturday. This has been the venue for the conference championships since 2018.

One athlete to keep an eye on is Ceonna Pipion, who was named MW Women’s Track Athlete of the Week in April.

On Senior Day, Pipion posted two wins and two runner-up finishes at the Fresno State Invitational. She broke the program record in the 400 meters with a time of 52.79, one one-hundredth of a second better than Tanya Dooley’s record that had stood since 1994. That along with her 200 meters time of 23.48 both rank her at No. 2 this season in the MW.

Go support your Bulldogs.

Get your tickets here.

ApCal Rock’n Ranch

The ApCal Rock’N Ranch is one of the more familiar names when it comes to local music. At 7409 Road 32, just west of Highway 99, the 3-acre facility is one of the largest local outdoor concert venues. The concert grounds include a 40’ x 40’ stage, 40’x40’ dance floor and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. They bring top musical variety of cover and tribute bands to the area featuring classic rock, 90s pop, Latin and dance.

This Friday they’re bringing the Morgan Wallen tribute band, “7 Summers.” The band pays homage to the undeniable charisma and raw emotion that make his songs resonate with so many.

On Saturday it’ll be the Selena tribute, “Dreaming of You.” This band brings authenticity to the infectious cumbia rhythm, street savvy R&B, old school soul, sizzling salsas, and country western music styles that made her one of the most influential Latin musicians of all time. The singer’s look and presentation is spot on to the real Selena.

There’ll be a full-service bar serving beer, wine and mixed drinks. They have their lineup set for the rest of the year. If you want music and drinks in an outdoor setting, this is the place to be.

Get your tickets here.

Willie Barcena

Willie Barcena has been in the comedy game for a long time. His universal material spans family, religion, race, sex, and politics. A 20-year comedy veteran, he brings laughs and insights all over the world, including many shows for the troops stationed abroad.

His one-hour Comedy Central special received rave reviews, Barcena followed that up with another special premiering on Showtime and his latest special on Netflix.

He makes it a priority to come to the Central Valley, and he’s always drawn a good crowd. It’ll be the same when he comes to the Visalia Fox Theatre this Saturday.

I saw Willie a few years back at Tower Theatre, and his relatable material is so hilarious that it hurts to laugh. I got the opportunity to meet him and he’s a very down-to-earth guy. The show is produced by Leonard Velasquez and his company, Perico Productions.

Get your tickets here.

Fresno Grizzlies vs Modesto Nuts

The Fresno Grizzlies are at Chukchansi Park for a six-game series against the Modesto Nuts. It started Tuesday and will go through Sunday. The third home series of the season features  promotions that include character appearances, a hat giveaway, and a pregame concert.

Friday is Star Wars Night with Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Fresno Teachers Association and Central Valley Education Foundation. The night will feature costume character performers, a special jersey auction, and more. No need to go to a galaxy, far, far away, just come to Chukchansi Park. May the force be with you.

Saturday is Christian Fellowship Night and Grizzlies Hat Giveaway. There’ll be a pregame concert by Social Club Misfits and Ryan Ellis, presented by Van-G Logistics and Fresno Pacific University. The first 1,500 fans at the game will also receive an exclusive Grizzlies hat.

Sunday is a double day with it being Mother’s Day and Malmö Oat Milkers Transformation featuring the Grizzlies’ transformation into the Malmö Oat Milkers, presented by Oatly. The day will include a new first-pitch ritual, trivia, a chance to “sign a contract to be an Oat Milker for a day,” and more.

And you can get mom-mosas at Fresno Social while enjoying a day of baseball with that special lady.

Get your tickets here.

Related Story: Family Fun, Community Events Highlight Cinco de Mayo Weekend in Fresno

Check it Out:

Movies at the Historic Crest Theatre, Friday-Saturday

The historic Crest Theatre in downtown Fresno will screen “Dirty Dancing” on Friday, the Disney classic “Aladdin” on Saturday, “Steel Magnolias” on Sunday.

Tickets are $5

For more information click here.

Slice of Comedy Henry Phillips, Friday

Danny Minch hosts these comedic events every weekend at DiCicco’s in Old Town Clovis. Henry Phillips has performed his stand up and twisted songs on “Comedy Central Presents,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and as a regular on the “Bob and Tom Show.” He was “John the Server Guy” on HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” and was the star of the cult film “Punching the Clown.” He hosts a YouTube cooking series, “Henry’s Kitchen,” which has garnered millions of views worldwide.

For tickets click here.

Old Town Clovis Farmers Market, Friday

The Old Town Farmers Market is home to amazing produce and local products. You’ll always get super fresh and peak-of-flavor produce. There’s wonderful food selections and live music. Fun for the whole family.

For more information click here.

Old Town Flea Market in Clovis, Saturday-Sunday

The Old Town Flea Market has been around since 2013 and the two-day event features a carefully curated roster of vendors and food trucks. They host two markets each year, one in May and one in November — each promising the perfect gift, furniture piece, wardrobe selection, and a little something that’s always unique. The Old Town Flea Market is an extension of The Foundry, which sells clothing, accessories, stationary, home goods, and baby products.

Get your tickets here.

Hero Day at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Saturday

Fresno Chaffee Zoo will celebrate our local heroes: first responders, medical professionals, current and veteran service members, and climate heroes that work together to keep the community safe, healthy, and happy. There’ll be activities included with the purchase of a general admission ticket. This event will include entertainment, food trucks, community organizations, and family fun while getting the chance to look at the animals.

Get your tickets here.

Pines Village Arts and Craft Fair at The Pines Resort, Bass Lake, Friday-Sunday

Come to The Pines Resort and take mom shopping for Mother’s Day. You can support local artists and vendors and enjoy shopping for unique goods and custom gifts.
There’ll be 20-plus vendors selling clothing, accessories, candles, jewelry, woodwork and metal art, fine photography, ceramics, pottery, and more.

For more information click here.

Big Fresno Fair Rallycross, Saturday-Sunday

Race regular cars on a dirt circuit at the Fresno Fairgrounds this weekend. It’s a timed event, one car at a time. There’ll be awards and raffle on site. They’ll be giving free instruction and introduction. Presented by Sideways Data.

For more information click here.

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at The Pines Resort, Bass Lake, Sunday

The Pines is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch in the Lakeview Room this Sunday. You’ll need a reservation.  The menu consists of all breakfast and lunch favorites. To add to the ambiance, they’ll have a festive decor, a photo booth, a free flower shop where kids can create bouquets for their moms, and the Craft Fair will be taking place in the Village.

Get your tickets here.

If there’s an event you want us to consider, contact steven.sanchez@gvwire.com