Mother’s Day weekend will be a busy time in Franklin, as the 9th Annual Mother’s Day Gemboree opens its doors on May 6. The event is held at the Macon County Community Building located just off Highway 441 south of Franklin.

This show, sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, complements two other well known gem and mineral shows held here in July and October. Franklin continues to earn its name as “The Gem Capital of the World.”

The Third Annual Ruby Ride & Run is set for Saturday, May 21, in Franklin. Sponsored by the Franklin Daybreak Rotary, all proceeds from the event will benefit “Stop Hunger Now” and the Franklin High School Interact Club.

“Stop Hunger Now” (http://www.stophungernow.org/) is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. The organization is driven by a vision to end world hunger in our lifetime and a mission to provide food and life-saving aid to the world’s most destitute and hungry in the most sustainable, efficient, and effective manner.

The Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association, Clay County Communities Revitalization Association and Tusquitee District of the Nantahala National Forest will be hosting a grand opening for the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30.

The 14.5 mile trail system just outside of Hayesville in Clay County, N.C., has quickly become one the most popular on the Nantahala National Forest since construction began more than five years ago. A practice trail and restroom were recently constructed at the trailhead to provide users with additional facilities.

Macon County youth will take the stage in Showcase of Talent 2011, a non-competitive talent show for third to twelfth graders, on Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. The annual event, held in the Franklin High School Fine Arts Center, features students chosen from the county’s public, private, and home schools, performing a variety of entertaining acts, from vocal and instrumental numbers to dance, gymnastics, and comedy routines.

This year’s show will include a special segment of African Dance with Franklin dance teacher Jada Bryson and a number of Cartoogechaye and East Franklin School students who were involved in her recent Artists-in-the-Schools residencies.