Five — well, really six — ways to get down this weekend in food and drink.
Make a splash in Seminole Heights at the Mermaid Tavern's Friday the 13th Party. From 9 p.m. and on Friday, partake in the spooky observance with a card reading by Bay area resident Justin Martz and the "Ouija Tournament." DJ Suspiria will provide the tunes all night, while the tavern serves up beer and wine. Guests can also munch on dishes like smoked mullet spread and Drunk Grilled Cheese. Free, money for food and drinks. 6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-5618.
Two worthwhile gatherings are set to hit historic Ybor City Saturday. One of them is the Ybor Food Fest, whose culinary showcase will feature local food trucks slinging one-of-a-kind eats. (Find out more in CL’s coverage from earlier this week.) Taste of the Cuban Sandwich, presented by the folks behind the annual Cuban Sandwich Smackdown from noon to 5 p.m., is the other. The food and art event at the Hillsborough Community College campus will pay homage to the rich history of the Cubano — plus highlight some of the winners from the 2016 battle, the first members of the Cuban Sandwich Hall of Fame, and an attempt at the “Biggest Cuban Sandwich in the World.” Free. 2112 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-407-6866.
For more foodie fun at noon Saturday, pig out during Deuces BBQ’s inaugural barbecue contest in St. Petersburg. The crowd will watch 25 teams battle it out to see who makes the best ribs, chicken and sauces. They’ll wash it all down with $1 beers and jam out to live music throughout the day. Deuces plans to grill up two whole pigs, too. Free, money for food and drinks. 911 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-767-0572.
Old McMicky's Farm's second Barns & Beer Craft Beer Festival, set on a picturesque 40-acre lake, plans to offer more than 75 wines and beers, plus Bay area food trucks, farm games and musical stylings by The Black Honkeys. The Old McMicky's Farm Foundaiton will benefit from the event, hosted from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be found online. $37-$60. 9612 Crescent Drive, Odessa, 813-920-1948.
Wrap up the weekend with a free cooking class at Nature's Food Patch, which kicks off at 4 p.m. Sunday. Students will learn about the fresh spring dish that is raw pad Thai with instructor Brad Myers, the Vegabond Chef. His recipe will include colorful veggies and a tasty Thai sauce. (For those who won't be around Sunday, the NFP coffee bar is also offering one free cup of organic, fair-trade coffee to patrons in honor of World Fair Trade Day Saturday.) Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-66703.
This article appears in May 12-19, 2016.