Here's four great gatherings to occupy your weekend.
USF St. Petersburg will celebrate 50 years at its Community Block Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Come hungry and grab a plate from one of the participating food trucks like I Wanna Wok and Flip'n Tasty, or taste local fare by Saturday Morning Market artisans. Guests will jam out to live music while munching, as well as have the chance to meet St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman. Fifty is nifty! Free, money for food and drinks. 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-873-7748.
Tampa's "Celebra Tu Herencia" Festival, hosted 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Park in Ybor City, acts as a kickoff for the season's Hispanic heritage events. Traditional and lively music will be showcased alongside the returning arroz con pollo cooking contest. This year's winners will receive cash prizes, plaques and the ability to judge the 2016 competition, so the pressure is on. Free, money for food and drinks. 1800 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa, 813- 242- 5370.
On Saturday, head over to Drum Circle Distilling in sunny Sarasota for a Siesta Key Rum tour. The 40-minute tour is offered three times throughout the day (12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m.), and the Drum Circle team asks that participants arrive 15 minutes early. Groups will meet the distillers, learn about the spirits and how each piece of equipment contributes to the final product. Afterward, snag free rum samples in the tasting room and purchase a bottle to take home. Free, money for goodies. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota, 941-702-8143.
If folks like their dishes fiery, they'll want to attend Largo's 15th Annual I Like it Hot! Festival at Minnreg Hall. Happening 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, the event will feature indoor and outdoor vendors selling hundreds of spicy foods like jerky, rubs and barbecue sauce. Pepper plants will also be on hand to help foodies create even more zesty concoctions at home. Get in on Saturday's jalapeño-tasting competition, or bring house-made salsas to Sunday's amateur salsa battle. Free parking is available. $5, free for kids under 12 years old. 6340 126th Ave N., Largo.
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2015.