You’re gonna be so full after this weekend. Just get to Bubbly and Benedicts, some participating Battle of the Burg(er) restaurants and these five food and drink events.
Starting at 2 p.m. Friday, kick off the weekend at Black Crow Coffee Co. in St. Petersburg and help the shop celebrate its first birthday. Guests will enjoy free doughnuts, stickers, live music, local art and much more throughout this three-day celebration. In addition, Black Crow is hosting a food drive all weekend for Food Not Bombs to benefit St. Pete’s homeless. Fresh, canned or frozen vegan and vegetarian canned goods are encouraged. Free, money for coffee. 722 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-580-7200.
Score free wine between 6 and 8 p.m. Friday inside Clearwater-based Nature’s Food Patch. Guests will swirl and sip on various vinos in hopes of finding their new favorites. Bottles will be available for purchase. Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703.
It’s getting hot in here! At 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, check out Largo’s 16th Annual I Like It HOT! Festival. Inside Minnreg Hall, festgoers will get muy caliente with hundreds of rubs, barbecue and hot sauces, pepper jellies, and other fiery grub during one of the largest gourmet spicy food shows in Florida. Live entertainment, food competitions and take-home goodies for sale (including pepper plants) will be featured as well. $5, free for kids ages 12 and under. 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo, 727-423-8433.
The coffee festivities continue at the popular Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival in Brandon, which is broken down into one mid-day and one evening session. The first runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, while the second is from 6 to 9 p.m. Check out tastings, samples and demos from four local roasters — Buddy Brew Coffee, Zeal Coffee Roasters, Brown Bear Coffee Roastery and Birds of a Feather Coffee Company — plus food trucks, specialty desserts and pastries. Artwork from more than 15 local artists will also be for sale. Space is limited, and presale tickets can be found online. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 1310 John Moore Road, Brandon, 813-304-5568.
The season’s last Seminole Heights Summer Market, a smaller version of the larger market held from October to April, takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Agricultural and farm products, ready-to-eat items, local art and crafts will be showcased in the open lot next to Southern Brewing & Winemaking. Glass and outside beer sales are cash only at the pet-friendly event. Free, money for goodies. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-7800.
This article appears in Sep 8-15, 2016.