Mother’s Day weekend will be busy in LaGrange this year with a multitude of family-friendly events perfect for spending that quality time together.

Gardner Newman Middle School will get the weekend started by hosting a performance of Mulan Jr. at the LaGrange High School Auditorium on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $5, and children 6-years of age and younger can get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

The first annual Tour de Troup benefit ride will mark the first event of the day on Saturday at 7 a.m. The fundraiser has rides for a variety of ability levels, from a 5-mile family ride to a 100-mile ride through all the major sections of the county. The ride will begin on the 200 block of Main Street and entry costs $50 per rider. For more information or to register for the ride, visit Bikereg.com/tour-de-troup.

At 9 a.m., the Friends of The Thread will host a free pop-up work out on the first segment of The Thread, behind St. Mark’s Church. The event will be the first of several events where Friends of The Thread partner with local businesses to host pop-up workouts along The Thread during the summer.

Break Every Chain will host a Recovery Revival 2019 and Poker Run, with the Poker Run beginning at 10 a.m. at the Elk’s Lodge on South Davis Road. Registration costs $25 per motorcycle. The recovery revival at 1 p.m. on the square and will feature 808 Ministries, testimonies of overcomers, musical performances, free lunch and guest speakers.

Then from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Hills & Dales Estate will host its 12th annual Picnic in the Garden in the estate’s pecan grove. Activities will include a cake walk, juggler, pony rides, face painting and yard games. There will also be live music from local musicians, and prizes will be awarded for the best picnic spreads. Admission to the garden is free to anyone who brings a picnic basket and blanket. 

Also from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Disabled American Veterans Chapter 31 will host a benefit barbeque at the Tractor Supply Company at 100 Plantation Way. Tickets cost $10 and include two barbeque sandwiches, chips, brownie and a soda. All proceeds will benefit Disabled American Veterans. Those wishing to support the cause can also receive a free ticket by purchasing $50 or more from R&B Consignment and mentioning the event. 

Meanwhile at the City of LaGrange Animal Shelter, there will be a German shepherd adoption event from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. At the event, all German shepherd mixes will cost $18.50 to adopt, and they will be current on vaccines, microchipped and spayed/neutered.

Starting at noon, expect to see the area’s most hopeful festival at Sweetland Amphitheatre as the first annual Hope Givers Music Festival kicks off with a variety of events scheduled throughout the day, including yoga, live art, testimonies of Hope through Resilience from TEDx and world renowned speakers. 

The festival will be a celebration of music, inspiration, hope and education. The festival is a fundraiser for IAMHOLDENON, and 100 percent of proceeds from the festival will support creating content, curriculum and camps that promote positive mental wellness and suicide prevention.

At 4 p.m., the festival’s attention will shift to Sweetland Amphitheatre’s Main Stage when The War and Treaty will take the stage, followed by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors at 6 p.m. American alternative band, Judah & The Lion will close out the festival with a performance beginning at 8 p.m. Every ticket for the show will include a cd copy of Judah & The Lion’s forthcoming album. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sweetland.events/tickets/hope-givers/.

The Young Singers of West Georgia will keep the day going with its “Out of This World Spring Concert.”  At the concert, a choir of more than 100 young artists under the direction of Stacey Hardigree will perform at Callaway Auditorium at 405 Forrest Place. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for students. For more information, visit Lsparts.org or call (706) 882-9909.

Finally, Barry Waldrep and Southern Culture Revival will close out an eventful day with a performance at Pure Life Studios at 206 Clark Street at 7:30 p.m. Waldrep is an American bluegrass, jam band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter and composer. Mallorie McGue will be opening. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance, since Waldrep’s performances typically sell out. For more information, visit Purelifelagrange.com or call (706) 443-4838.