This week
Rubber Duck Derby, Gainesville. Benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Hall County. Win prizes if your winning rubber duck is among the first to cross the finish line. 5K Derby Dash & Bash, 5-9:30 p.m. Friday; Duck Fest, 10 a.m. Saturday; race, 3 p.m. Saturday, Lake Lanier Olympic Venue, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. $5 per duck "adoption." 770-656-3825.
Mountain Laurel Festival, Clarkesville. Craft vendors, antique auto show. Artist John Kollock will create sketches of children on site. Saturday, downtown Clarkesville square.
Family Day at Butterfly release, Gainesville. The Northeast Georgia History Center's tent will feature butterfly science demonstrations, butterfly temporary tattoos and butterfly crafts. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Wilshire Trails Park, Wilshire Road, Gainesville. 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.
Upcoming
Family Fun Night, 4-7 p.m. May 20, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900.
Celebrity Bowling, Gainesville. Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons players, coaches and cheerleaders. Barbecue dinner from Turnstile Deli. Preregistration required. Benefits Challenged Child and Friends. 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 26, Oasis Bowing Center, 1601 Horizon Parkway, Buford. Sponsors and guests only. 770-535-8372, ext. 309 or gail@challengedchild.org.
Movies Under the Stars, Buford. Live music, 6:30 p.m.; movies at dusk each Saturday May 29-July 31, Mall of Georgia Village Amphitheater, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. Free. 678-482-8788.
Ongoing
"Tools for Living," Sautee. Exhibit of tools used to sustain early valley inhabitants. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Sautee Nacoochee Community Association History Museum, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. 706-878-3300.
Story times, Hall County. Children can listen to stories, sometimes read by special guests. Various days and times at libraries in the Hall County Library System. Free.
"Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story," Gainesville. Learn about previous eras and inhabitants of Chicopee Woods. 10 a.m. to p.m. Monday-Saturdays. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival, Fairburn. Medieval events and vendors including jousting, artist market, live music and pubs. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day. Through June 6, Georgia Renaissance Festival, 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. $19.95 adults, $17.95 seniors age 60 and older, $8.95 children age 6-12 and free for kids age 5 and younger. 770-964-8575.