Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: May 9 to 11

Grab a hat and some sunscreen because it's going to be a sunny weekend in Waterloo region.

Don't forget, Sunday is Mother's Day. There's licence-free fishing in Ontario on Saturday and Sunday.

Kitchener in Bloom launches on Saturday with an event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sprout Community Garden, next to the Stanley Park Community Centre at 505 Franklin St. N. There are free seedlings, garden-themed crafts for kids, a Love My Hood lemonade stand, plus prizes and giveaways.

The K-W Gem and Mineral Show is taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Aud in Kitchener with hands-on activities for children, lots of rocks, minerals, fossils and meteorites, a gem dig plus uncover a fossil fish.

There's a Holi and Tulip Festival in Guelph on Saturday being held by the Royal City Durga Puja. From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., there are tulip-themed decorations, live painting, a photo booth, food and vendor stalls and music at Ken Danby Public School, 525 Grange Rd.

Cambridge Moves for Mental Health takes place Saturday. People can sign in at 10:30 a.m. at the Cambridge Civic Square and various activities will get underway around 11 a.m.

The Galt Horticultural Society has its annual plant sale Saturday starting at 9 a.m. until they're sold out. This event is held at the Ferguson Cottage, 25 Grand Ave. S. in Cambridge.

In baseball action, the Kitchener Panthers will play a pre-season game this weekend but unfortunately not at home. Kitchener will be in Toronto on Sunday. Guelph Royals do not have a game this weekend.

If you're driving somewhere this weekend, here are some local gas prices:

Girls Can Fly

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Region of Waterloo International Airport

This free family event hosted by the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre includes tours, flight simulators, various exhibits and aircrafts will be on display as well as hands-on activities for aspiring aviators.

There are free flights offered every year. Registration for that is full now but there is still plenty to do. The Runways Café will be open for breakfast and lunch and there's outdoor seating to watch the action in the skies.

• Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre website

Poyo Fest

Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Gaukel Block, downtown Kitchener

This is a celebration of Kirby, the round and pink character in Nintendo games, and "all things irresistibly cute in pop culture."

There will be vendors with artwork, plush toys and accessories. Watch as people take part in Kirby's Stardash Battle, a Kirby-inspired fashion show and a food-themed game show.

There are also workshops you can pre-register for, including making a phone charm or painting a planter.

• K-W Creators Poyo Fest event page

Songs for a Healing City

Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener

This is a "walk and sing" event with Menno Singers that will see a group walk through downtown Kitchener and stop at four downtown sites to talk about work being done to help people struggling with homelessness or to find affordable housing and then "respond in song."

Then at 3 p.m., there will be a social-justice themed concert at the church.

There are a few partner agencies also taking part including House of Friendship, Indwell and the 519 Community Collective.

Attendance is by donation.

• Menno Singers event page

Spring plant identification

Saturday 11 a.m. start

Huron Natural Area, Kitchener

Red Osier Guild will host this walk and point out both native and non-native species through an Indigenous lens while also talking about the challenges that impact green spaces. People are encouraged to wear good shoes, wear a hat and bring water.

• Facebook event page

Open houses for police, waste services

As Emergency Preparedness Week comes to an end, there are a few events that will help people better understand the services in their community like police and garbage. Here are some events:

• Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Guelph Police Service is hosting a family fun day with information displays, canine demonstrations and face painting. The event is at police headquarters, 15 Wyndham St. S., using the entrance off Fountain Street.
• Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Waterloo Regional Police Service is hosting an open house at police headquarters, 200 Maple Grove Rd., Cambridge. There will be interactive displays, demonstrations, train rides, rock climbing and food trucks.
• Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Region of Waterloo wants people to go "beyond the curb" to see where their garbage goes at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre. There will be bus tours, a falconer meet and greet, mint planting, garbage bin planting, games and a look at the new garbage and organic carts that the region will introduce next year. Enter through Gate 1 at 925 Erb St. W. in Waterloo.
• Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — The Kitchener Fire Department will be at the Kitchener Farmers Market and people have a chance to win a 72-hour emergency kit.