The summer weather is upon us this weekend, and it’s a great reason to get outside! We have selected four awesome outdoor activities for the whole family (pets included)! Call your mom, because cute animals, great music, and tons of fun in the sun await you this Mother’s Day Weekend.

May 11th – Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash

Canine companions all over the city are gearing up for the Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash this weekend! Spring is a great time to focus on fitness, for humans and furry friends alike! This charity event is a chance for you and your pup to strut your stuff all the way to the finish line. Join the Oregon Humane Society at Tom McCall Waterfront Park for what may be the cutest race of all time. All proceeds are used to fight animal cruelty, heal injured pets, and find homes for thousands of pets each year. Your doggie will thank you (or maybe you’ll thank them) for this beautiful morning by the river!

May 11th – St Johns Parade

For 57 years, the St Johns Parade has been a North Portland tradition. This free event is a cornerstone of the St Johns community, and participants from the early years are now watching their children and grandchildren march themselves! This is a family-friendly event for all people of all ages to enjoy, so bring your loved ones along. To highlight the community-focused nature of this event, the parade committee has chosen the theme of “Hometown Heroes” for this year’s parade. What a wonderfully wholesome way to spend a sunny day!

May 11th – St Johns Bizarre

If you’ll be in St Johns for the parade, you may as well stop by the 13^th Annual St Johns Bizarre! This event includes a fantastic lineup of local bands including the wacky and talented Kulululu as well as Portland country western sensation Jenny Don’t and the Spurs! There will also be a children’s variety show at the beginning of the event and 125 vendors featuring locally made trinkets and treats. Bring your sunscreen and straw hat, because you’ll want to stick around for this!

May 12^th – Mother’s Day Brunch

Speaking of great ways to enjoy the weather, the beautiful Oregon Zoo will host an event this weekend to honor the trust heroes of all: Moms. Bring the marvelous moms in your life to the Cascade Crest Ballroom for the Mother’s Day Brunch this Sunday morning for an array of delicious brunch items and all the while support the zoo’s work in conservation, education, and animal welfare. After brunch, you can stroll around to visit notable moms such as Ella, the African Painted Dog and her litter of little pups.