The Seattle-like deluge has subsided -- at least for the time being -- and the weekend forecast looks pretty kick ass, all around. If the gloomy skies had you in a sour mood all week (Floridians are addicted to the sun, after all) it's time to shake it off and indulge in some outside-the-house gluttony.
With Halloween little more than a week away, many of the food and drink activities in Broward and Palm Beach Counties are holiday themed, but there's plenty else to do if goblins and zombies aren't your thing. If Halloween is your cup of tea poison, be sure to check out our list of Halloween 2011 activities in Broward/Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach and stay tuned for an updated list next week.
Without further delay, here is a look at a few food and drink activities this weekend in Broward and Palm Beach Counties:
Tonight:
Food trucks in Boca Raton -- As part of the (potentially) massive community event, "Meet me on the Promenade," Gourmet Truck Expo will have nearly a dozen food trucks stationed in downtown Boca Raton starting at 5 p.m. on E. Boca Raton Rd. between NE 1st Ave. and NE Mizner Blvd. The trucks planned for the evening include B.C. Tacos, Cheese Me, Crepe Outdoors, and Papas Tapas, among others. Attendance is free, but bring cash for the trucks.
Food trucks at Free Friday Concerts -- Delray Beach continues Free Friday Concerts, a gratis outdoor concert series in Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach. Each week, a small group of food trucks will be available during the show. This week includes 4Alarm Pizza, Catered Bliss, Feverish Ice Cream, Stocked 'N' Loaded, and Taco Fresh. You can bring blankets and chairs, but no outside food or drink. The show is 7 to 10:30 p.m.
4th Annual Rocktoberfest -- The weather cleared just in time for this outdoor festival of beer and food, with selections of craft beer and ten food trucks scheduled to appear. Tickets at the gate are $25 per person with proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Riverwalk Trust. Rocktoberfest -- which includes live music by local bands -- is 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale.
Oktoberfest Beer Wars -- Screw Miller, Budweiser, and co. Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton will host an evening of activities centered around the rise of the microbrew with events from 6 p.m. to close. Start with the Microbrew Class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and participate in a taste test among microbrews and vote for your favorite. Registration is requested (call 561-447-0000) and a $5 donation to participate will benefit Boca Helping Hands. From 6 to 8 p.m., sample microbrews and craft beers at the special department. Purchase a bottle or two of craft beer and at 8:10 p.m., head outside to the patio for a free screening of "Beer Wars" complete with free popcorn and chance to sip your beer while you enjoy the film.
Saturday:
Food trucks in Boca Raton -- The food truck rally continues throughout the day in downtown Boca as part of the "Meet Me on the Promenade" event. At least 27 trucks are scheduled to appear on Saturday, among them 4Alarm Pizza, Cheese Me, Philly Grill, and Latin Burger. If food trucks don't suit your fancy, many area restaurants and bars will be offering food and drink specials to lure in the crowds.
Pet-A-Palooza -- Beer and festival food for you and puppy-appropriate treats for your canine friends are on the menu at this fundraising event for the National Canine Cancer Foundation. The family friendly event is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carlin Park in Jupiter. There is no admission charge, but you'll have a chance to donate to the cause, should you desire.
Sunday:
A Taste of Parkland -- A "street food extravaganza" is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Parkland YMCA/Pine Trails Park, 10555 Trails End. More than two dozen trucks are scheduled to be on hand, including Dog Eat Dog, Sugar Yummy Mama, Divan Bakery, and Mojo on the Go.
Down the Line:
Want to be the first to know about upcoming events and specials? Sign up to receive New Times' weekly dining newsletter, Cafe Bites. Other specialty newsletters focus on music, arts and culture events, and free stuff. Check them out and sign up here.
Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Facebook and on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.