Category: Events

Official Florida Blueberry Festival coming to Kissimmee March 28th-March 31st

Can you feel the sunshine? The official Florida Blueberry Festival is coming to Kissimmee from March 28th to the 31st of 2019 at Formosa’s Garden Event Center. Florida Blueberry Season is from late March to April of every year.

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The festival was founded in 2010 and has built a successful for 7 years in Brooksville before relocating this year to Kissimmee.

Over 60,000 people have attended the festival in the past. The event was originally created as a way to promote the burgeoning Florida blueberry industry.

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The event is now a 4-day festival and will feature a Wine Bar presented by The Island Grove Wine Company, a Beer Garden with both craft and domestic choices, Festival Fare Food Court with food concessions, retail, information exhibitors, as as well as fine arts and crafts.

There will be a Juried Art Show presented by Tampa Bay Magazine with a prize of $6,000 up for grabs.

The festival is outdoors and shirt & shoes are required, but dress for the outdoors.

Food vendors include Blueberry Junction, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Garrett’s Kettle Corn, Cinnamon City, Wisconsin Fried Cheese, Fried Dough Factory, Barbie’s Ice Cream, Swain’s Pizza On A Stick, Blooming Potato’s & French Fries, and more. Come hungry.

FAQ:

  • Tickets cost $10 for admission and $10 for parking and are now available. There is also a special-rate for RV parking.
  • Kids ages 9 and under are FREE.
  • The event is handicap accessible with ADA handicapped parking and portable restrooms available.
  • 3 locations will be available for private-nursing/baby changing for guests.
  • Blankets and folding chairs are allowed.
  • Beer and wine will be available for purchase with valid identification.
  • Event is rain or shine. No refunds will be given.
  • ATMs will be available on-site for a fee.

There will be Florida Blueberries, Florida Blueberry Pie, Blueberry plants, and other blueberry goods as well as a VIP Hospitality Pavillion.

The event will benefit Florida Blueberry Growers Association, The Community Hope Center, The Sunshine Foundation, Autism Society of Greater Orlando, and local non-profits working as staff.

Event name: Official Florida Blueberry Festival

Venue: Formosa’s Garden Event Center

Address: 3050 Formosa Gardens Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34747

Date & Time: March 28th, 5PM-10PM, March 29th-March 30th, 10AM-10PM, March 31st, 2019, 10AM-5PM

Cost: $10 admission, $10 parking, Kids ages 9 and under are FREE

Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/2FjQK4F

Entertainment: http://floridablueberryfestival.org/entertainment.php

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8th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival coming March 30-31st

Are you ready to eat all the Cuban sandwiches? I sure am.

The time is coming for the 8th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival on Saturday, March 30th and Sunday, March 31st in Tampa, Florida. Tampa is home to the original Cuban Sandwich.

Competitors will arrive from around the world including countries as far away as South Korea to compete for the best traditional and non-traditional. New to this year is the Home Chef Competition.

The event is organized by Latin Times Media.

Taste of the Cuban Sandwich

Saturday will feature the Taste of the Cuban Sandwich at Centro Asturiano on the edge of Ybor City with 25 vendors serving Cuban sandwiches from 11AM to 6PM. The organizers will break the world record for the largest Cuban sandwich with a sandwich that will be over 175 feet long.

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The sandwich will be donated to feed the homeless per festival tradition.

Taste of the Cuban Sandwich offers FREE admission for attendees and is family-friendly.

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There will also be a KIDS Cuban Sandwich Showdown organized by Junior Chefs of America.

International Cuban Sandwich Festival

Sunday is the big affair with the International Cuban Sandwich Festival competition happening at Centennial Park (1800 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605) in Historic Ybor City from 11AM to 6PM.

Over 100 food, cultural, and business vendors will fill the historic park for a day to remember. Live music and performances will occur throughout and their will be domino tournaments. Come hungry! General Admission is FREE.

VIP tickets are available and includes sampling of the Cuban Sandwich contest entries and refreshments as well as mingling with judges, red carpet access, and more. Tickets start at $25 for kids and $45 for adults. Family packages are available. Buy VIP: http://bit.ly/2HK8fxV

Event name: 8th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival

Date & Time: Saturday, March 30th, 11AM-6PM and Sunday, March 31st, 11AM-6PM

Buy VIP tickets: http://bit.ly/2HK8fxV

Ages: All ages welcome

Website: http://www.thecubansandwichfestival.com/

Rise Rise Up Florida 2019 Music Festival March 15th to March 17th

Reggae Rise Up Florida music festival is Friday, March 15th to Sunday, March 17th at Vinoy Park in Downtown St. Petersburg. Enjoy 3 days filled with music, food, art, activities, and good vibes.

Up to 12,000 guests are expected to attend the festival each day. Limited tickets are still available for General Admission and VIP.

Headliners include Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, and Rebelution.  Other acts include Steel Pulse, Pepper, Common Kings, Ziggy Marley, Method Man and Redman, J. Boog, Tribal Seeds, Trevor Hall, Fortunate Hall, and more.

VIP tickets include an official Reggae Rise Up VIP wristband, expedited festival entry, access to the VIP Lounge, Reggae Rise Up festival lineup t-shirt, Reggae Rise Up festival lanyard, premium viewing areas, VIP area bathrooms, and sponsor swag.

Yoga fans can warm up for the music festival with special yoga sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are currently $25 and now available.

Buy tickets: http://reggaeriseupflorida.com/tickets/

There are plenty of food vendors that are going to be at the festival including vegan options. Some menu items include fresh ahi tuna poke bowls, gourmet grilled cheese, jerk chicken, acai bowls, Hawaiian BBQ, gourmet crepes, churros, empanadas, and more so come hungry:

 

FAQ:

  • Festival totems, flags, and signs are welcome and encouraged.
  • Attendees are allowed to bring chairs and blankets to the festival to relax on.
  • The event is family-friendly and kids ages 8 and under are FREE. Strollers are permitted, but must be searched before entry.
  • Event is rain or shine

Event Name: Reggae Rise Up Florida

Venue: Vinoy Park

Address: 701 Bayshore Drive Northeast, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701

Cost: $60+, Kids ages 8 and under FREE

Buy tickets: http://reggaeriseupflorida.com/tickets/

Ages: All ages welcome

Website: http://reggaeriseupflorida.com/

Event Map:

The Great San Francisco Corn Dog Festival this Saturday 3/9

Is there anything more American than enjoying a corn dog with beer? This Saturday is The Great San Francisco Corn Dog Festival is this Saturday, March 9th, 2019 from 11AM-5PM. The event is organized by SoMA StrEat Food Park (428 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103) and FunCheapSF.

Vendors will fry, dip, sauce, and serve specialty corn dogs all day long.

The history of corn dogs in the United States dates back to at least the 1920s. National Corn Dog Day is actually in March and is happening on March 23, 2019 for those of you who need a double dip. 

There will be a Corn Dog Decorating Contest by Sticks and a Corn Dog Eating Contest held by Batter Up. This is your time to shine if eating corn dogs is something you excel at. Those who dress up in a corn dog costume may win special prizes so get creative.

Tickets are now available, including a special addition that will allow for unlimited beer pours. General Admission is just $5 pre-sale.

Waffle Dog from Fil Gud.
Longanisa Corn Dog from The Sarap Shop.

On the menu:

  • Sticks — classic gourmet beef corn dog | Louisiana hot link corn dog
  • Batter Up — Madbum corn dog : 1/3 hot link, 1/3 mozzarella cheese, 1/3 chicken apple | chili cheese corn dog
  • Cochinita — elote dog: corn dog topped with Mexican street corn off the cob (corn, mayo crema mix, cotija cheese, cilantro, chile, and lime | Mission dog: bacon-wrapped corn dog topped w/ ketchup, mustard, and grilled
  • I Love Cheesesteak — cheesy bacon dog: corn dog topped w/ nacho cheese + diced bacon | chile cheese corn dog: corn dog topped w/ home-made chile, nacho cheese, and diced onions
  • Fil Gud — waffle dog | waffle dog + ice cream | lumpia hot dog + fries | mini corn dogs
  • Nava Sausage Co. — Frankfurt corn dog | hot spicy Polish corn dog | smoked Polish corn dog
  • Nombe SF — Kimchi-battered corn dog | tofu kimchi-battered corn dog
  • Firetrail Pizza — hot dog cheese pizza
  • Chef’s Truck — chili cheese corn dog | classic corn dog | honey-sweetened beef corn dog | mini corn dog bites | cheese-dipped corn dog
  • Kokio Republic — hot and sweet corn dog
  • Gyros on Wheels — corn dog with french fries | cheese rolls w/ sausage + cheese
  • Nucha Empanadas — mini corn dogs with chimichurri sauce
  • Street Meet — bacon-wrapped corn dog
  • The Sarap Shop — longanisa corn dog | vegan corn dog nachos

Event Name: San Francisco Corn Dog Festival

Venue: SoMA StrEat Food Park

Address: 28 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

Date & Time: Saturday, March 9th, 2019, 11AM-5PM

Cost: $5 entry

Buy tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-san-francisco-corn-dog-festival-tickets-55548193141

Monthly Filipino-inspired Taco Tuesday with Eats by E in Berkeley March 5th

Looking for a different kind of Taco Tuesday? Eats by E Chef Eric Pascual is hosting his monthly Filipino Taco Tuesday pop-up on March 5th, 2019. The event is happening at 2940 Seventh Street Berkeley, California 94710 with Feastly from 7PM to 8:30PM and tickets are now available.

Chef Pascual has hosted Feastly pop-up dinners for the last few years. He recently did a round of funding for his new spot in Berkeley. Feastly seeks to help connect passionate chefs to diners by offering chefs a platform to host private dinners.

Yours truly at an Eats by E dinner a few years ago. Delicious.

Chef Pascual is an active member of the Filipino community in the San Francisco Bay Area and hosts a number of Filipino-themed dinners and kamayans regularly mixed with Hawaiian and Peruvian influences from his upbringing.

Eats by E holds a 5-star rating on Feastly with nearly 3,500 reviews.

On the menu:

  • Vegetable Lumpia – Filipino-style egg roll with diced vegetables. Served with a spiced vinegar dipping sauce.
  • Salad – Mix greens, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, radishes. Calamansi vinaigrette. Coconut/garlic croutons.
  • Braised Beef Taco – Beef slow-cooked in garlic, calamansi, Tamari, lemongrass, ginger, Roli Roti beef bone broth, and spices with a roasted tomato salsa diced onions, and cilantro on a corn tortilla.
  • Chicken Adobo Taco – Chicken stewed in vinegar, Tamari (gluten-free) soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns. Topped with a roasted tomato salsa, diced onions, and cilantro on a corn tortilla.
  • Veggie Taco – Roasted Mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic, peppers with a roasted tomato salsa, diced onions, and cilantro on a corn tortilla.
  • Shrimp and Avocado Poke Taco – Poached shrimp, avocado, sesame, Tamari, Adoboloco Hawaiian chili pepper sauce. Topped with a roasted tomato salsa, diced onions, cilantro on a corn tortilla.
  • Bibingka Churro Donuts – Fried pastry made with rice flour and coconut milk. Coated with cinnamon and sugar.

Tickets cost $35 and can be bought online: http://eatfeastly.com/meals/d/191615028/a-filipino-inspired-taco-tuesday-4/

4th Annual Kissimmee Cuban Sandwich Festival this Saturday

Ready to enjoy some delicious Cuban Sandwiches in Central Florida and get that bread? The 4th Annual Kissimmee Cuban Sandwich Festival is this Saturday, March 2nd, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park located at 201 Lakeview Drive from 11AM to 6PM. The event is presented by Ford.

Festival goers will be able to vote for the Best Cuban Sandwich at the festival and participants will compete in both a traditional and non-traditional Cuban Sandwich competition.

Alton Brown on a Cuban Sandwich taste test in Tampa.

What’s in a traditional Cuban Sandwich you ask? Ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and salami on Cuban bread will make a traditional Cuban Sandwich.

This sandwich was created in Tampa, Florida in the late 1800s and is recognized by entities such as The Food Network as the official Cuban Sandwich of the world. Miami can say what they want, but we know the truth.

Organizers and participants at the festival will be making one of the biggest Cuban Sandwiches in the world at the event at 163 FEET LONG, a spectacle to see. The sandwich will then be donated to the homeless.

General Admission tickets are FREE and the event is family-friendly. Live music and dance performances will be entertaining guests throughout the day and Orchestra Fuego will be there.

VIP tickets are also available for the 4th Annual Kissimmee Cuban Sandwich Festival and range from $30-$105 for a family of 4. VIP guests get to eat and schmooze with VIP attendees, media, and local celebrities. Seats will be available for VIP guests as well. The best part is that VIP gets access to the Cuban Sandwich contest entries and refreshments that are exclusively available there.

Buy VIP tickets: http://bit.ly/2NvTsY9

Participating restaurants/vendors:

Event Name: 4th Annual Kissimmee Cuban Sandwich Festival

Date & Time: Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

Venue: Kissimmee Lakefront Park

Address: 201 Lakeview Dr. Kissimmee, FL 34741

Cost: FREE Admission, VIP tickets available

Ages: All ages welcome

Facebook RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/259906308059627/

CL High Ball Craft Cocktail Competition this January 24th

Creative Loafing is back with their High Ball Craft Cocktail Competition on Thursday, January 24th, 2019 from 7PM to 10PM at Nova 535 in Downtown St. Petersburg. What better way to start the new year than with some great libations?

Tickets are now on-sale and start at $55. The number of tickets available is limited so it is recommended that you get your ticket as soon as possible. VIP tickets are available for a separate price and will allow an extra hour of drinking at 6PM. Complimentary bites will be available from participating bars and restaurants.

Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/2CSTTIo

High Ball is for ages 21+ only. Rain or shine. No refunds will be available.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Current Initiatives of Tampa Bay. This local non-profit establishes community groups for awareness and education as well as organizes local initiatives including Laundry Project, Hope for Homes project, and Affordable Christmas.

Participating bars include:

  • The Rez Grill
  • Jannus Live
  • Casa Tina
  • Park & Rec DTSP
  • The Living Room
  • Buya Ramen
  • Haven Tampa
  • Iberian Rooster
  • L Bar
  • No Vacancy
  • The Landing St. Pete
  • The Avenue Eat & Drink
  • Paul’s Landing
  • Sea Sea Riders
  • Armature Works
  • Brew Bus Brewing
  • Crafty Squirrel
  • Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro
  • The Brick Ybor

Punkcade NYE Party 2019 at Lowry Parcade Tampa

Seminole Heights video game arcade and bar Lowry Parcade located at 1213 West Waters Avenue in Tampa is throwing a Punkcade New Year’s Eve Party to celebrate the coming of 2019 starting at 8PM on December 31st, 2018.

The party theme is based around classic beat’em’up video games from the 16-bit era such as Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, and Final Fight.

Costume ideas include leather, spikes, spiky hair, dyed hair, excessive belts, chains, combat boots, piercings, and attitude. The best solo or couple duo will win a $40 giftcard from Lowry Parcade.

No cover charge.

Punkcade NYE New Year's Eve Party at Lowry Parcade Tampa

All games will be 1 token and some pinball machines and arcade cabinets will be free for the event.

VAMP the video game violinist will be providing music for attendees. Here’s hoping there is some Yuzo Koshiro in that mix.

Please enjoy this Yuzo Koshiro Streets of Rage mix as well:

Visit Lowry Parcade at www.lowryparcade.com

Party Like Its 1999 NYE Party at The Bricks Ybor

Want to spend New Year’s Eve in a throwback? The Bricks Ybor located at 1327 East 7th Avenue is hosting a “Party Like Its 1999” New Year’s Eve Party going into 2019 on December 31st, 2018 from 10PM to 3AM.

Hits from the Late 90s and 2000s will be spinning from DJ Kamran Mir all night long.

Enjoy a champagne toast at midnight and watch the ball drop.

No cover charge. The event is for ages 21 and older only.

New Years Eve Tiki Fest 2019 at The Birchwood (Downtown St. Pete)

The Birchwood located at 340 Beach Drive Northeast in Downtown St. Pete is having a two-level New Year’s Eve Tiki Fest to celebrate 2019. The party will run from 8PM to Midnight.

Guests will enjoy a gourmet buffet and open bar throughout the party. The Grand Ballroom will have a live band with a DJ on the Birchwood rooftop bar. During the event the bar will be private and only open to party guests.

Tickets cost $135 per person (plus taxes and fees) and are very limited, so act quickly if you’re interested. All guests will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Guests must be ages 21 or older.

Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/2SqsDGv

Dress code: Tiki fun.