Adventures in Weekending: 10 things to do in Clearwater this weekend

1. Raise your glass at the Downtown Clearwater Craft Beer Fest. 

   

   The Dunedin House of Beer's hosting this marathon beerfest (11 a.m.-11 p.m.). They'll have live music, more breweries than you can shake a bar napkin at, and one winery.
2. Race the wind in a windsurfer. 

   

   The Clearwater Community Sailing Center is having a windsurfing social, which is a polite way of saying "group lesson." It's super affordable and they do have some windsurfers you can use.
3. Go fish (fry)ing.

   

   No, not with a fishing rod — head to the Clearwater Yacht Club's fish fry. AYCE fish, hush puppies, slaw and all the requisite things you get with a fish fry.
4. Make Vegan mac and cheese.

   

   Look, it isn't my thing, but if you're vegan, at least learn how to do this dish right. Nature's Food Patch can help.
5. Dinner and show at the Sunset Point Cinema Bar and Grill. 

   

   This was one of my favorite things to do in high school, and I still love going there. Of course, back then it was the Cinema & Draft House. The name's fancier now, but that's about it — this is definitely not the Cobb Luxury 10 with plush recliners, but it does have table service, a full bar, and some old-school charm.  
6. Peek inside the Fort Harrison hotel at the First Annual Community Black and White Charity Ball.

   

   OK, OK, before you rush to the comments section to remind my why you think Scientology is evil, let me stop you: I don't care. The Catholic church is no better and don't get me started on the evangelical agenda in this country. This is a benefit for the Church of Scientology's inner city youth and family programs. You don't have to hold two cans or get audited, but if you've always wondered what it looks like inside this grand hotel, now's your chance. 
7. Watch the Grapefruit Leagues play.

   

   The Threshers have a game Saturday night. If it makes you feel any more big league, I'm pretty sure they'll let you give them $20 for a beer. 
8. Eat some ribs at the North Greenwood Third Annual Ribfest.

   

   Ribs. Live music. What more do you need?
9. Learn to make beer.

   

   Clearly, this doesn't apply to St. Pete, since we all know if you live in the city of St. Pete, the law is you must know how to brew your own craft beer. However, everyone else can head to Brewing 101 at HiFi Homebrew. 
10. Watch the sun set near Pier 60. 

    

    All roads in Clearwater lead to the beach. OK, that's not true, but a lot of them do, and it's a fantastic beach for watching the sun go down and then taking a long walk. 

This article appears in May 18-25, 2017.