What to do in Wichita for Mother’s Day 2017

It’s a conundrum that many face yearly: What to do for Mother’s Day.

It’s standard to take your mother out to lunch or dinner, but what if you want to do more?

After all, doesn’t Mom deserve a little bit more of your time?

Luckily, there are a variety of activities going on in Wichita this weekend that allow for quality time with you, your mother and the whole family.

Here are a couple of ideas.

A very artful weekend

10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri., Mark Arts, 9112 E. Central; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.

If you’re looking for a weekend full of art, books and other fun, look no further than the Wichita Art Museum and Mark Arts. Both organizations have timed spring art fairs for this weekend, each with plenty to offer the discerning mother.

On Friday, Mark Arts will have various pottery, paintings, jewelry, prints, sculptures and more available for sale, as well as – get this – Porsches from Porsche Wichita and the Porsche Club of America. There’s an idea if you’re really looking to spoil your mother this year.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, the focus turns to the Wichita Art Museum, which is hosting the 58th annual Art and Book Fair, presented by Friends of the Wichita Art Museum. This free event features a wide assortment of old, new and rare books for sale, as well as local and regional art. The museum’s Muse Cafe will have specials throughout the weekend, including on Mother’s Day.

While you’re at the Art and Book Fair, be sure not to miss Linnebur & Miller, a Wichita artist duo who will provide the opportunity to get your portrait done in a fanciful Rococo style. Portraits are $15 per adult and $5 per child. What better souvenir than to have a unique portrait taken this Mother’s Day? Admission to both the Mark Arts art fair and the Wichita Art Museum is free.

Free. www.markartsks.com, www.wichitaartmuseum.org

Muffins and art

10-11:30 a.m. Sat., CityArts, 334 N. Mead

CityArts has a unique Mother’s Day-themed event planned for Saturday, allowing mothers to collaborate with their kids on a fun art project. Make colorful peat pots with mixed-media flowers, while enjoying tasty muffins. Attendees must call ahead to reserve a spot. One project per child. Call CityArts at 316-350-3245 to enroll in the class.

$5 for children, free for adults. wichita-cityarts.squarespace.com

A stroll through the garden

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Botanica, 701 N. Amidon

One of Wichita’s longtime Mother’s Day standbys is Botanica. The gardens give free admission to mothers all day on Sunday, and the place is typically packed with people. On Sunday, Botanica’s Iris Club, Rose Society and the Prairie Winds Daylily Club will also host a show and sale. The Senseny Aerotones Big Band will perform at 2 p.m. As part of Botanica’s 30th anniversary celebration this year, there will also be a photo walk on Sunday, featuring the top photographers from Botanica’s annual photo competition. The photographers will have booths selling Botanica-themed photographs as well as other works. There are also plenty of items in Botanica’s gift shop that make solid presents for your mother, if you forgot to pick up a gift before Sunday.

Free for mothers. $7 for adults ages 13-61; $5 for youths. www.botanica.org

Fraternizing with the animals

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.

The Sedgwick County Zoo also is offering free admission to mothers on Sunday when accompanied by a paid admission. That means mom gets in free with a child’s admission or another adult admission. The zoo’s gorilla babies will be on display, as well as new goat babies in the Children’s Farm area. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a Chris Cakes pancake and sausage brunch available for $5 a plate. While you’re at the zoo, don’t forget to check out the new elephant exhibit.

Free for mothers with another paid admission; ages 3-11, $11.95; adults, $15.95. www.scz.org

Wine, Women and Songs

3 p.m. Sun., Bartlett Arboretum, K-55 and Line Street, Belle Plaine

If you’re looking for a secluded and peaceful place to take your mother this Sunday, why not try the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine? The arboretum is hosting a special event, “Wine, Women and Songs,” on Sunday afternoon, featuring performances by three female singers – one country, one blues and one folk. Janet Rutland will open the show, followed by Rachelle Coba, and then the arboretum’s own Robin Macy. While you’re at the arboretum, sample wines from Tuscany, Napa Valley and Winfield’s Wheat State Winery. Gates open at 3 p.m., and the show starts at 4 p.m.

$10 at the gate. www.bartlettarboretum.com

Go roller-skating

1-6 p.m. Sun., Carousel Skate Center, 312 N. West St.

Want a throwback to middle-school skate nights this Sunday? If so, Wichita’s Carousel Skate Center has the deal for you. Mothers skate free Sunday afternoon at Carousel. General admission for everyone else is $6, with a $2 skate rental.

Free for mothers, regular admission applies for others. www.carouselsk8ks.com

Check out a car show

Noon-4 p.m. Sun., Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. South

There are plenty of car shows that take place on Father’s Day, but this is the only car show you’ll find on Mother’s Day. Who doesn’t love a good custom car, after all? The show, sponsored by Cars for the Cause, will be in Osage Park on Sunday afternoon. If you want to enter a car, the entry fee is a $20 donation. After the show, there will be a Mother’s Day dinner buffet from 6 to 8 p.m. at Caesar’s Table, 125 N. Market. Buffet is $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Free to attend, $20 to enter a car. www.carsforthecause.com

This story was originally published May 11, 2017 at 6:22 PM with the headline "What to do in Wichita for Mother’s Day 2017."