Good morning, Gainesville.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier will host their annual Rubber Duck Derby today at Lake Lanier Olympic Park boathouse where 25,000 ducks will race as food vendors open at 11 a.m. Participants pay to adopt a duck and the first to finish will win $10,000—this fundraiser supports youth programs in Gainesville-Hall County.

Gainesville is kicking off Cinco de Mayo weekend with Viva La Fiesta — a pre-celebration that will bring local music, food, and community gatherings — as residents get ready for the upcoming holiday.

On Friday, local festivals kicked off across Northeast Georgia with a movie night at a train depot in Lula and a daisy parade in Nicholson, while today live music events and art displays are underway in Duluth, Gainesville and Cumming.

Sunday will feature a community concert in Flowery Branch and ongoing theater shows along with a spring carnival — all held amid a chance of rain.

Hall County emergency officials activated sirens at 6:50 p.m. Friday, May 2, after receiving numerous credible tornado sightings near Thompson Bridge Road — the tornado lasted about 10 minutes before dissipating.

A Pendleton, South Carolina man was arrested in Hall County on drug charges while he was wanted on a murder charge in his home state—and he was sentenced to probation as part of a plea deal, court documents show.

School officials at Lanier College and Career Academy found a gun in a classroom on May 2 (Friday), ended the lockdown soon, and charged the 18-year-old student.

Lynne Cox, a licensed professional counselor at NGHS, was named the 2025 Carol H.

Burrell Employee of the Year at the 54th-Annual Service Awards where CEO Matt Hanley presented the award to her and her therapy dog Gili.

Today, 111 high school teams will compete for the GHSA Bass Fishing State Championships at Laurel Park on Lake Lanier in Gainesville — local teams from Buford, Jefferson, North Forsyth, East Forsyth, Lumpkin County and Dawson County are among the competitors.

Watering Can Workshop

6-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Blackshear Place — $4.99 — Unleash your creativity by painting a charming spring watering can.

Public Art: block pARTy FUNdraiser

6-10 p.m. — Roosevelt Square — $60 — A vibrant celebration uniting artists and art lovers for a cause in public art.

AC/DC Tribute Concert in Gainesville

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Grab your tickets while they last — Experience high-voltage rock 'n' roll with an electrifying tribute to AC/DC.

The Venue Jazz Orchestra Performance

8 PM — Smithgall Arts Center — Check for ticket prices — Experience the energetic sounds of a modern big band featuring top local musicians.

Ultimate Music Wave Festival

4:45-10:30 p.m. — Smithgall Arts Center — Tickets available — Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of 'Sittin at a Bar' with live performances from Rehab and Mickey Avalon.

Midland Music Fest

5-10 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Free entry — Experience a vibrant evening filled with music and community fun at the Midland Music Fest.

Forge Your Own Path: Tiger TTRPG Camp

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Brenau Trustee Library — $250 with early bird rate — Unleash creativity in a camp that blends storytelling and tabletop role-playing games.