Making special plans with mom this weekend? Patch has found lots of ways to help you celebrate Mother’s Day with events in our local area.  

2012 Car Show at George Mason University

• Where: GMU Field House Parking Lot, Fairfax
• When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday).
• Why Go: Come and check out the display or register your own car, truck or motorcycle in this year’s show. The first 100 vehicles registered will receive a commemorative dash plaque. 
• Price: Vehicle registration is $15.

Studio 3 Theatre for Young Audiences presents "Rapunzel"

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from May 12 through June 30
• Why Go: A comedic tale about a girl and her legendary hair. This production is suitable for children of all ages.
• Price: Adults $12; Children 11 and under $8.

Fairfax Jubil-Aires “A Salute to the Troops and Moms” Concert

• Where: NOVA Annandale Ernst Community Cultural Center
• When: Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Why Go: The barbershop quartet’s annual spring show will feature guest ensembles “Our Town,” “Sound Advice,” and “Epic.”
• Price: General admission $20; Patron tickets $100; Military members in uniform may purchase half-price tickets at the door. 

Clifton Caboose Twilight Run

• Where: Main Street, Clifton
• When: Saturday at 6 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy a 5K run or 1 mile run-walk through scenic Clifton and the surrounding area. Food, drinks and live music will follow, as well as prizes for participants. Who will win the famous “Caboose” award for coming in last? All proceeds to benefit the preservation of Historic Clifton.
• Price: 5K registration $21; 1 mile run-walk $15.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Concert

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Saturday at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring special guest Adam Golka on piano. Selections to include music by Debussy, Ravel and Purcell. Don’t miss the pre-performance lecture beginning at 7 p.m. 
• Price: Tickets range from $25 to $55. 

Mother’s Day Tea

• Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
• When: Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Learn about the traditions and proper etiquette of teatime, followed by a full English tea to enjoy with mom.
• Price: $27 per person; reservations required.

Mother’s Day Cruise

• Where: Lake Accotink Park, Springfield
• When: Sunday at 1, 3, 5 and 6 p.m.
• Why Go: Take mom for a relaxing cruise on Lake Accotink while you listen to stories about the history of the area.
• Price: Moms $5; other adults $6; kids 3 and up $5.

"Toccatas!" Organ Recital

• Where: Burke United Methodist Church, Burke
• When: Sunday at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring toccatas from a variety of time periods, with selections by Bach, Pachelbel, Rutter and more.
• Price: FREE.

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents "Suite Meditations"

• Where: Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
• When: Sunday at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring the American Youth String Ensemble and the American Youth Concert Orchestra playing selections by Copland, Bizet and Beethoven.
• Price:  Adults $7; Seniors and Students $5; Music Teachers are FREE 

Virginia Chamber Orchestra “Sunday in the Woods” Concert

• Where: NOVA Annandale Ernst Community Cultural Center
• When: Sunday at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring compositions by Debussy and Beethoven. Children will be invited to the stage following the performance for an “Instrument Petting Zoo.”
• Price: Adults $25; seniors $20; students are FREE. 

Cello Recital

• Where: Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria
• When: Sunday at 7 p.m.
• Why Go: Cellist Jonathan Cain and pianist Alexei Ulitin will perform pieces by Beethoven, Hindemith and Shostakovitch.
• Price: Free-will offering 

Library Highlights:

• Book Sale at Kings Park Library, Burke. Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• Paws to Read at Lorton Library, Lorton. Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. For ages 6 to 12. FREE, but registration is required.
• Meet Local Author Kristin Levine at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria. Saturday at 2 p.m. FREE.
• Springtime! at Burke Branch Library, Alexandria. Saturday at 2 p.m. For Kindergarten through fifth grade. FREE.  
• “Murder in the Keys” Murder Mystery at Pohick Regional Library, Burke. Saturday at 7 p.m. For adults. FREE, but registration is required.

Nature Highlights:

• Ponderings - Snakes at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield. Friday at 4:30 p.m. For ages 6 to 11. $6 to $8 per person. Registration required. 
• Teddy Bear Picnic at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale. Saturday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m. For ages 3 to 8. $8 to $10 per person. Registration required. 
• Evening Walk at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For adults. $6 to $8 per person. Registration required.
• Save the Frog Celebration Day at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale. Sunday at 1:45 p.m. For ages 3 to 10. $8 to $10 per person. Registration required. 
• Mother Eagles on Mother’s Day at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday at 5 p.m. For all ages. Parking is $4 per vehicle.