Five places embracing the savory and sweet this weekend in food and drink.
With indoor and outdoor waterfront seating, the Totally Awesome ’80s Food Truck Rally is set to celebrate all things 1980s at Port St. Pete. Held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, come dressed in your best gear from that era and nosh on tasty creations from 11 food trucks, including I Wanna Wok, Boston Lobster Shack and Bacon Boss. Guests will partake in karaoke alongside a showing of Beetlejuice starting at 7 p.m. Free, money for food. 250 Eighth Ave. SE, St. Petersburg.
Get to Total Wine & More, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, for some beer-y good fun with three local craft breweries. Reps from Darwin Brewing Co., Green Bench Brewing Co. and JDub’s Brewing Company will hold an in-store sampling of their signature brews. Beer lovers can expect giveaways and a Q&A session as well. Find tickets online, or get them in person when you arrive. $10. 4880 Park St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-544-6018.
Take the kids to hang with Elmo from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at a Sesame Street Cupcake Party. Admission to the Pieces of Treats-hosted event includes entry for one adult and one child, plus a cupcake to decorate (a small craft will also be available). Bring the camera along for a photo op and meet ‘n’ greet with Elmo. Sign up for the event on Facebook — a minimum of 10 spots need to be filled. $12. 28929 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater, 727-240-4968.
At 2 p.m. Saturday (we’d say noon, but that’s for folks who’ve already score VIP tickets, which are sold out), enjoy three B’s, the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Festgoers enjoy unlimited bourbon and brew tastings in a souvenir glass, live rock, blues and bluegrass tunes, and barbecue available for purchase. The annual event will also feature contests like the Best Beer Belly Competition and seminars with master distillers, brewmasters and pitmasters. Tickets are available online. $39 for general admission, $25 for designated drivers. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8615.
Round out your weekend with a cooking class at Nature’s Food Patch. Participants will learn to make a modern, veg-friendly spin on the classic hot dog recipe — Vegan Carrot Dogs — under the direction of instructor Brad Myers, a.k.a. the Vegabond Chef. The lesson starts at 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703.
