What's happening in Tampa Bay food: Rollin' Oats celebrates 25 years, Tampa Theatre Beerfest

KALEIN' IT: Rollin' Oats 25th Anniversary

This weekend marks more than two decades of organic foods and wellness products at Rollin' Oats. Founded by Bert Swain and Larry Schwartz in 1994, the locally owned market and cafe with stores on both sides of the bay is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a backyard barbecue, offering food, drinks, activities for kids, giveaways and live entertainment. The party also welcomes the new Rollin' Oats and Kahwa Coffee collaboration: an organic, full-body blend of beans. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Rollin' Oats, 2842 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 821-4910. rollinoats.com.

SUDSY SOIREE: Beerfest

More than 10 area breweries invade Tampa Theatre with craft beer samples for "Ferris Brewer's Day Off," the latest installment of the movie-themed Beerfest. As you're sipping and donning Ferris Bueller's Day Off-inspired attire, expect snacks from restaurants like Ava, Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe, Roux, Shuffle and King of the Coop, too. Benefits Tampa Theatre. $40 and up, $35 and up members. 8-10 p.m. Saturday. 711 N Franklin St. (813) 274-8286. tampatheatre.org.

BIVALVE BASH: Crystal River Scallop Festival

Scallop dishes drive the menus of food trucks at the Crystal River Scallop Festival, where a scallop cookoff, beer, wine, live music and a children's scallop scavenger hunt keep the two-day bivalve bash going. A water balloon toss, karaoke contest and rock climbing wall are among the other activities. $5, 12 and younger free. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Kings Bay Park, 268 NW Third St., Crystal River. (352) 875-6499. eventbrite.com.

SUMMER SCHOOL: Food and Wine 101

The Italian Club of Tampa puts a twist on summer school during this educational evening in Ybor City. During Food and Wine 101, guest chef Waylon Nelson, a New England native and graduate of Johnson and Wales University, prepares five to seven courses matched with wines from global brand the Seeker, allowing you to learn how to pull off a proper pairing. Seating is limited to 50 guests. Purchase tickets by calling (813) 248-3316 or email mark@italian-club.org. $65, $55 members. 6-9 p.m. July 31. 1731 E Seventh Ave. italian-club.org.

POUR DECISIONS: Sloppy Joe's Bartending Competition

The #GetSloppy Bartending Competition wants you to help choose the winner. Taking place for the first time at Sloppy Joe's on the Beach, this cocktail contest first tasks bartenders from establishments like Stillwaters Tavern, Sea Dog Brewing Co. and Brewster's Tavern with using tequila, rum, vodka, Scotch or gin to craft a tasty libation for eight judges in three minutes. But then there's round two, where a surprise ingredient should make the battle a little tougher for the remaining contenders. The winner receives the grand prize of $800, while second and third place take home Marriott vacation getaways. Admission gets you one sample from each bartender and one voting token. Drink deals are available throughout the night. $10 at doors. 5-9 p.m. Friday. 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. (727) 367-1600.

Dig in to Tampa Bay’s food and drink scenes

Subscribe to our free Taste newsletter

Get the restaurant and bar news, insights and reviews you crave from food and dining critic Helen Freund every Thursday.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

SHAKE IT: Mighty Mule Party

Grab a copper mug, Tampa. You're going to need it for the inaugural Mighty Mule Party, which invites local restaurants and bars (plus a few vodka brands) to mix up unlimited Moscow Mule samples. In addition to downing everything from classic to creative takes on the gingery, vodka-based cocktail's iconic recipe, the crowd grubs on an array of eats and grooves to DJ-spun music. Participants include the Bricks, Ybor City newbie 7th and Grove, Garrison Tavern, Zukku and Anise Global Gastrobar. $35 and up, $75 and up VIP. 7-10 p.m. Thursday. The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave. tampamuleparty.com.

MEAT UP: St. Pete Grill n Chill

St. Pete Grill n Chill brings more than 15 food trucks and vendors, a beer garden, a marketplace with exhibitors and crafters and live tunes to south St. Petersburg. Since the summertime festival is family- and pup-friendly, a popup dog park and a bounce area for kids are also planned. Free. 4-10 p.m. Saturday. Coquina Key Plaza, 4350 Sixth St. S. eventbrite.com.