Oktoberfest in South Florida has arrived, as evidenced in the happenings about town this month, but there is more to the weekend's events than full steins and heaving dirndl-ed bosoms. Animal lovers will have a chance to spend quality social time with their best friends (or to adopt a new pal) and locavores will notice that the opportunities to buy fresh produce are at long last opening up, to list a few of the goings on. Without further delay, a look at ten food and drink events this weekend in Broward and Palm Beach Counties:
Tonight:
Gourmet Truck Expo at Faith Plaza -- A dozen food trucks -- among them, Miso Hungry, The Philly Grill, and Che Grill -- will set up camp from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Faith Shopping Plaza, 632 - 680 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach. Remember to bring cash if you want to get dinner from the trucks.
Friday to Sunday:
Oktoberfest in Lake Worth -- The 38th Annual Oktoberfest at the American German Club of the Palm Beaches in Lake Worth is everything you expect; lederhosen, strudel, steins, tubas, etc. This is the opening night of a celebration that stretches two weekends -- this weekend and next -- and includes traditional beer, food, and no shortage of festive activities.
Saturday:
Pup Crawl in West Palm Beach -- Admit it; the Pup Crawl in West Palm Beach sounds pretty damned cute, what with the puppy parade, doggie fashion show, man getting to have a drink with man's best friend, and so on. The Crawl is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participation costs $25, with proceeds benefiting Paws2Help.
Oktoberfest at Coffee District in Delray Beach -- The name on the door may say "coffee," but this hip little joint also offers a hell of a craft beer selection, as well. As such, the Coffee District's version of Oktoberfest emphasizes craft autumnal beers and a taste of a few "rare kegs" like the Hofstetten Original Munchner Hochzeitsbier Von 1810 (rolls right off the tongue, no?). Craft Beer Oktoberfest is 7 to 11:30 p.m.
Big Hearts BBQ -- Got a soft spot for those gentle giants that tend to get overlooked at animal shelters and rescues? Big Hearts for Big Dogs, a South Florida non-profit that focuses on helping larger breed dogs find safe and loving forever homes, will celebrate its one-year-anniversary with a family picnic from noon to 5 p.m. at C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers and other snacks available for sale, plus special treats for four-legged guests. If you've got a well-behaved pup, you can bring him or her along for the day, especially if Bowser happens to be a Big Hearts alumni. There is a $1.50 charge per person for entry into the park.
Season opening for Boca Raton Green Market -- After a long, cold winter long, hot summer, farmer's markets and stands are finally opening their shutters for the Florida growing/selling season. The Boca Raton Green Market opens for the 2011/2012 cycle at 8 a.m. with vendors sticking around until 1 p.m. or so. In celebration of Columbus, er, "discovering" America, the market will feature an Italian mini-festival of sorts in addition to the standard weekly vendors.
Flavors of Greece Food & Wine Tasting -- Don't let all the hoopla for Oktoberfest fool ya; Deutschland isn't the only member of the EU getting some love in South Florida this weekend. Saturday and Sunday, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will host the Flavors of Greece Food & Wine Tasting with a chance to try eats like souvlaki, gyro, and grilled octopus. There is no admission charge, but you will have to pay for food and drink once you enter the festival. The festivities are noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Food Trucks at the Track -- Miami Food Trucks will be revving their engines this fall with four "Food Trucks at the Track" dates on the calendar. This will be the kick-off for the event, which brings more than a dozen food trucks to the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. A few of the trucks rolling out this week include B.C. Trucks, Bite Gastrotruck, Papa's Tapas, and Truckin' Good Pizza. The rally is 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, as well as Oct. 22, Nov. 12 and 26. Parking is free, but bring cash for the trucks.
On the Red Carpet event at Town Center -- Billed as an "exclusive after-hours shopping and tasting experience" this event from 7 to 10 p.m. at Palm Court in Town Center in Boca Raton is $45 per person and includes wine and martini tastings, plus nibbles from local venues. Veterans of the "Why the hell did I buy the entire series of 'Matlock' on DVD at 3 a.m.?" morning-after routine should know to exercise caution when consuming and practicing consumerism simultaneously. A portion of ticket sales will go to Family Central.
Down the Line:
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