Save your energy on Sunday for National Ice Cream Day. Why? Well, for one, it's ice cream, dude. And two, there are plenty of food and drink happenings in store for Friday and Saturday.
Cheers to the weekend ahead with Christmas Beers in July at Pair O' Dice Brewing. Between 3 and 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday, patrons can sip not-so-seasonal drafts like the Russian Roulette Imperial Stout, Santa's Pimp Cane Porter and CinnaFig Oatmeal Stout from the Clearwater brewery. Free, money for beer. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423.
On Friday, chow down on seafood favorites during the Centre Club's Lobster Feast. Guests enjoy a menu of New England clam chowder, pounds of Maine lobster, corn on the cob, steamed fingerling potatoes and apple pie, to name a few. Reservations, which are required, can be made by phone. Dinner runs from 5 to 9 p.m. $55. 123 S. Westshore Blvd., 8th Floor, Tampa, 813-286-4040.
Chefs from local eateries, including Iberian Rooster, Irie Fire and Angry Pepper Waterside, go head to head in the War of the Wings competition. Held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Frankie's Patriot BBQ, the battle — which names the best sweet, hot and specialty wings (as determined by the crowd) — acts as a memorial celebration for Cpl. Frank R. Gross and his family. Parking is available at National Aviation Academy. $6 for Club Savor members, military and first responders; $12 for general public. 6250 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, 727-935-4838
Get the scoop on fermentables. St. Pete Ferments leads Saturday's Intro to Wild Fermentation class, hosted at The Urban Canning Company from noon to 2 p.m. Students learn the history and basic techniques of the process, plus sample fermented foods and drinks. They'll also make raw sauerkraut together as a group, and then take a jar of their creation home. Tickets are available online. $35. 1040 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-235-0805.
In Ybor City, water balloons and Super Soakers are now mixed into the annual Sun, Swimsuits & Suds Pub Crawl. Participants drink their way around the historic district, popping into restaurants and bars like The Dirty Shame, Bad Monkey and First Chance Last Chance for specials. Check in at the Italian Club from 1 to 3 p.m., and then enjoy the pub crawl's after party throughout Gaspar's Grotto, starting at 6 p.m. Find tickets online in advance. Summer-themed costumes are encouraged. $25 in advance, $30 the day of. 1731 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-248-3316.
This article appears in Jul 13-20, 2017.