What to do before, in between and after all of that Cinco de Mayo revelry.
On Friday, Arkane Aleworks gets into the spirit of Star Wars Day at 3 p.m. with a shit-ton of themed beers during May the Fourth be with You — among them Yoda Pants, a guava, mango and ginger Florida Weisse “made with bits of real Yoda.” Of the beer, Arkane writes on its Facebook event page: “It is rumored that drinking this liquid will give you Jedi-like powers for about 30 minutes.” Other tap list highlights include Episode 13 (B. Nektar Meadery’s 15.5 percent ABV honey wine aged in bourbon barrels) and Wicket Weed (a red IPA named for that clever little Ewok). Spaceballs and Star Wars flicks accompany a special food menu from Lolita’s Cocina Latina and Timeless Entertainment’s Star Wars trivia. Free, money for beer. 2480 E. Bay Drive #23, Largo, 727-270-7117.
Part of the annual Tampa Riverfest, Friday’s new signature event, Taste of the Riverwalk, spotlights unlimited food samples at 6 p.m. from participating restaurants in the area (think Sono Café, SaltBlock Hospitality Group’s new Boat Run Oyster Company and the soon-to-open Harpoon Harry’s), along with beer trucks and live music. Oh, and added bonus? The official watch party for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is also planned for Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, starting at 7 p.m. Find ticktes online. $25. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
St. Pete Bike ‘n’ Eat allows cyclists to grub their way around five local restaurants — on wheels — from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Kicking off at the Trek Store, this eighth annual kid-friendly ride has bites at every stop planned, plus a quick talk from the owners or managers on-site. 3 Daughters Brewing supplies the beer for the store’s after party, where raffles and prizes await. Proceeds benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs. $10. 3169 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-498-8655.
On Saturday, make the drive to downtown Brooksville for the Orange Avenue Market, hosted alongside Mountaineer Coffee between 5 and 8 p.m. Artists, makers and other small businesses from the community are in store, in addition to specialty coffee and food. Free, money for goodies. Orange Avenue, Brooksville.
Throw down in the food competition for a cause that is Zephyrhills Brewing Company’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cook Off Benefit. All locals have to do is make their favorite mac dish, add a special ingredient of their choice to jazz up the recipe, and bring enough to the taproom for 30 people to share from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Each entry must be labeled with an ingredient list (to avoid any allergy issues, ya know?). Interested participants should either call the brewery or send an email to info@zbcbeer.com. As for the crowd, they can judge the submissions with a day-of donation to Meals on Wheels of Pasco, as well as by purchasing a full pour of house beer. Prizes that amount to $100 are up for grabs. $5 donation or beer purchase. 38530 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, 813-715-2683.
This article appears in May 3-10, 2018.
