Throughout the weekend, things to do for enthusiasts of local food and drink — no matter the size of their wallets.
• It’s friggin’ hot. On Friday, cool off with the one-of-a-kind frozen sippers that await inside Pieces of Treats. Float Frenzy options from 3 to 7 p.m. include cotton candy ice cream with cream soda, peanut butter cup ice cream with Mexican Coke and mango sorbet with Sprite. There’s even a traditional root beer variation. $2.99 each. 28929 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater. 727-240-4968.
• Yeah, CL has featured Gulf Coast Sourdough & Wild Yeast Breads in our weekend events round-up before. But don’t miss Saturday’s GCSD Goes WILD, which allows the community to sample the small-batch offerings that the artisan bakery plans to sell at its new retail storefront — scheduled to open in fall — between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Grilled cheese on roasted red pepper Parmesan bread is one example of what’s to come, so go get a taste. Free, money for goodies. 5214 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-563-7687.
• More than 80 novice and professional bakers hope to whisk attendees away during the 8th Annual Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest, beginning at noon Saturday. Asked to enjoy their cupcakes on-site at the Morean Center for Clay, ages 5 and up have five ballots to use when casting their votes for the sweet creations most deserving of the People’s Choice Award; additional ballots cost $1 each. A panel of judges will also crown winners in the competition’s Professional, Novice, Specialty (for gluten-free and vegan recipes) and Youth/Teen (for bakers 10 to 16) categories. $5. 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.
• This year’s Halfway There has rounded up close to 60 local, national and international breweries to showcase their suds along the Hillsborough River. In addition to the unlimited tasting from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, highlights of the beer festival — a midway celebration to Tampa Bay Beer Week in March — include retro games from local arcade and beer tavern Lowry Parcade, plus access to the food and drink stalls that make up Armature Works’ Heights Public Market. Tickets are available the day of. $50 at doors. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa.
• On Sunday, local restaurants team up for Save Our Shores, a long-table dinner on the beach benefiting Mote Marine and START (that’s Solutions to Avoid Red Tide) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Make the drive to Anna Maria Island and indulge in five courses — plus beer and wine — from participating eateries like Sandbar, Anna Maria Oyster Bar and The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar. Tickets, which include gratuity, are available for purchase online. $122.50. 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria Island.
This article appears in Aug 23-30, 2018.
