A butterfly among the flowers at Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
A butterfly among the flowers – release one this weekend in El Cajon. Photo by Chris Stone

There will be some Cinco de Mayo spillover at restaurants this San Diego weekend, but how about partying New Orleans-style too? But don’t forget mom – yep, Mother’s Day alert – it’s Sunday.

Gator By The Bay continues at noon Friday at Spanish Landing Park with artists performing blues, Zydeco, rockabilly, swing and jazz. Like those Cajon goodies though? The food includes 10,000 pounds of fresh crawfish trucked in from down south. Performers include award winners such as Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Vanessa Collier. Shows start at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Three-day passes are $180, while one-day passes begin at $55.

Head to National City, where the community kicks off a summer of United Lowrider Coalition Cruise Nights at 5 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater High. The return of legal cruising on Highland Avenue is temporary, with car clubs from throughout the county and even Los Angeles set to participate. The family-friendly event, including a caravan and giveaways, continues on the first Fridays of the month through October.

Country star Eric Church arrives at Pechanga Arena at 8 p.m. Friday for the Gather Again Tour. The Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year hasn’t been on the road since 2019, before the pandemic. Tickets start at $34.

A past procession at Gator By The Bay – join in through Sunday. Courtesy of the festival

For your own mom or that special mom in your life – see our Mother’s Day Restaurant Guide for more – here are some ideas at various venues hosting events Sunday (and even a couple that happen a day early):

  • Water Conservation Garden – For the lady who loves to tend her roses, the garden at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon hosts the Butterfly Spring Fling at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $10. Online registration for butterfly releases closes at noon Friday.
  • Bernardo Winery – The lady loves her vino? Try the venue’s 45th annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair, which returns at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The free event features more than 100 vendors, a food court and wine bars on the grounds.
  • Liberty Station – Join a 10 a.m. mini-moms festival Sunday at the Mother’s Day Gathering, hosted by Moniker General, with live music, a boho lounge and retail pop-ups so you can treat the Gal of the Day to exactly what she wants. It’s free, but register online to attend.
  • Belmont Park – Belmont in Bloom continues at the Mission Beach park. Enjoy a Spring Market by the Beach and mom-osas from a champagne and spritzer cart (now, that’s our kind of cart). Park opens at 11 a.m.