A mix of weekend happenings for those who geek out during Halloween, as well as the food and drink obsessed.
Looking for Halloween boooze? Check out Hauntoberfest at Arkane Aleworks, which kicks off for a second year at 3 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. Costumed beer lovers sip more than 12 candy-inspired selections — including Hangry? Why Wait? (Snickers milk stout) and Taste the Rainbow (Skittles gose). A beer-garden-turned-haunted-house created by The House of Gore, exclusive beer releases for housegoers and food trucks are also highlights. The fest runs for two weekends. $5 for haunted house, money for beer and food. 2480 E. Bay Drive #23, Largo, 727-270-7117.
Get even more spooked while sipping vino at Florida Orange Grove Winery's 15th Annual Haunted Winery. Hosted between 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, guests down a lineup of house wines, alongside bites from Pinellas Chocolate Company and John Bauer of J & T Fresh Catering in a spine-chilling atmosphere. Reservations, which are required, can be made by phone. $20. 1500 Pasadena Ave. S., South Pasadena, 727-347-4025.
It's nearly impossible not to indulge at Saturday's Sweet Eats Festival, fka the Pinellas Pie Festival. Cakes, brownies, pies and other treats (even gluten-free and vegan offerings) available for purchase from area bakers and bakeries, plus a sweet wine tasting and a $10 all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. Attendees can partake in the amateur baking contest and games, or enjoy the live entertainment at Largo Central Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free, money for goodies. 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, 727-586-7415.
Chow down on all things chicken, too. The first Tampa Bay Wing Fling, a Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park food festival and face-off, showcases wings from 15-plus local restaurants between noon and 9 p.m. Saturday. Participats include Miss Vi's Cook-Up Catering and Vending, RyRy's Chicken & Waffles and Buffalo Wild Wings. Washing down their samples with cold beer and bourbon drinks, the crowd votes for their favorite wings to determine a winner. All-day live music is planned, and tickets are available online. General admission: $15 and up; VIP: $85. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8615.
Spend Sunday with Flying Boat Brewing Co. — there's sushi and beer! Patrons are invited to create their own sushi bowls and wraps, or choose from prebuilt items like eggrolls and dumplings, from the on-site Ikigai food truck from 1 to 5 p.m. With the St. Pete brewery's "truck bucks" program, they even score $1 off a food order for every pint they purchase. Free, money for beer and food. 1776 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-2999.
This article appears in Oct 19-26, 2017.