Nothing much stands between the cornucopia of stout, ale, and lager selections at the New Times Original Beerfest and you but a few hours. Roughly 48-ish or so hours, to be exact, but still.
In case it wasn't obvious, the Clean Plate Charlie crew is pretty fond of our beer-y beverages. So while we're of course partial to the signature event happening this Saturday, we must concede that there are other fun-sounding options on tap for the weekend elsewhere in South Florida.
Like Cajun food and dancing to Zydeco? Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be your go-to destination all weekend. More into wine tastings and ogling expensive European cars? Boca Raton's massive wine and food festival may be a good choice.
Without further delay, here's a look at a few food and drink events this weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, and Palm Beach:
Friday:
Florida Cajun Zydeco Festival -- Suck the heads at this weekend-long celebration of Cajun and Creole culture, with traditional Zydeco music and plenty of boiled crawfish, jambalaya, and gumbo on the menu. Tickets are $20 to $35 and the festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Second Annual Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival -- This two-day festival in Boca Raton kicks off Friday night with a Grand Tasting Launch Party from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $45. All Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival events take place on East Camino Real, just east of Federal Highway. For $125, you can also get a VIP dinner experience from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets available at the Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival site.
Food trucks in Delray Beach -- Six food trucks -- Feverish Ice Cream, Ms. Cheezious, Mucho Nacho, Nacho Bizness, Philly Grill, and Wholly Shrimp -- will be stationed at the Free Friday Concert from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Old School Square Cultural Arts Center. Admission is free, but bring cash for the trucks.
Anniversary party at Vibe Las Olas -- Vibe will celebrate its one year anniversary, appropriately enough, on 11/11/11. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. Call 954-326-0848 for reservations. If fancy schmancy drinks aren't enough to get you out, the evening also includes performances by Cirque acts and live music and a DJ.
Launch of Hitch Nation -- Snack on apps and mingle with friendly peeps at the Birth of a Nation Party -- absolutely no connection to the racially charged 1915 cinematic feature of the same name -- from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at JB's on the Beach in Deerfield Beach. The celebration is in honor of the kick-off to Hitch Nation, a mysterious-sounding project created by a 14-year-old boy who likes to think big.
Saturday:
New Times Original Beerfest -- You're just one ticket away from access to samples of more than 70 adult beverages, eats from local restaurants, and live entertainment from rockers Sister Hazel, not to mention a chance to mingle with thousands of South Florida beer fans. Tickets to Beerfest are $30 to $70.
Second Annual Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival -- The second day of this two-day shindig starts with a Jazz Blues Brunch from 10 a.m. to noon, which includes mimosas, all-you-can-eat steak, eggs, and potatoes and other breakfast treats. Tickets to that event are $45. The Grand Tasting event is 6 to 10 p.m. offering foods from 70 South Florida chefs, cooking demos, a festival sommelier, and music. Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $85.
Chili cook-off and beer tasting -- Wash down bowl after bowl of chili with a cool pint of craft beer at a fundraising event at Tequesta Brewing Co. in Jupiter. The cook-off is 2 to 6 p.m. and admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Proceeds from the 21-and-older event go to Honor Flight Network, a group that helps veterans travel to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective memorials.
SwampFEAST! -- Nearly 20 food trucks will roll up for the SwampFEAST! from 3 to 8 p.m. at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie.
Sunday:
Food trucks at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach -- If the relatively crisp autumn air has you in the mood for harvest, get your urban-dwelling ass out to Bedner's Farm Fresh Market for some hay rides, corn maze, and the "traditional" fall food truck rally. In addition to loading up on fresh produce from Bedner's, you can buy lunch or an early dinner from more than 20 food trucks on premises, including Catered Bliss, Latin Burger, and Veggies Express. The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Down the Line:
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