Don't miss what the weekend has in store, especially these food and drink events.
• The traveling biergarten that is Wiesn in a Box rolls into town with a modern Oktoberfest experience on Friday. Walk up to the little Bauhaus-style trailer's window to order beer and hot pretzels, then pop a squat and enjoy the music. Part of the yearlong Wunderbar Together: Year of German American Friendship campaign, Wiesn in a Box is open at MacDill Park throughout the weekend. Free, money for beer and food. 100 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
• Speaking of sets of wheels, the popular Hello Kitty Cafe truck plans to make its annual appearance locally, but this time at WestShore Plaza near H&M. There's everything from the new petit fours box set to a giant Hello Kitty chef cookie available between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, as well as non-food collectibles like thermal bottles. Free, money for goodies. 250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa.
• You can do a lot of kinky stuff with chocolate, but keep that shit to yourself when visiting the 'burbs for the Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival, held from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Close to two dozen food trucks go beyond dessert for the celebration of all things cacao at Carrollwood Cultural Center. Organizers have also assured attendees there are "gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, meatatarian and pescatarian options." Free, money for food. 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. —Ray Roa
• Girl Scout Cookie-Inspired Beer Release, kicking off at noon Saturday and Sunday, marks the return of a crowd-pleasing tradition to Crooked Thumb Brewery. Started three years ago after owner Kip Kelly challenged his brewers to make beers featuring flavors and aromas similar to his daughter's Girl Scout cookies, the pairing matches on-site cookie sales from area troops with five house drafts inspired by the sweets. Barrel-Aged Chocolate Coconut Doppelbock with Samoas and Lemon Vanilla Gold Ale with Savannah Smiles are among the perfect combos. Free, money for beer and cookies. 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor. 727-724-5953.
• On Sunday, Black Crow Coffee Co. celebrates the Grand Opening of its second location. This party for the new Grand Central District shop, next door to Black Crow Coffee Roasting, promises live tunes, a solo art show and local vendors from 6 to 9 p.m. Free, money for goodies. 2157 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
This article appears in Feb 14-21, 2019.