Dennis Maley
BRADENTON – Ribs, chili, fine dining, wine and premium beer tasting, a harvest festival – this weekend is all about food... oh, and of course football. Pack your Tums and put on your fat pants, it's time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!
If you're a foodie, get excited. This is the premier weekend for culinary events in and around Manatee County and the only hard part is going to be deciding which events to take in. I'll be out at the SunCoast Food & Wine Fest and you can bet you'll find me at Sunday's chili cook-off as well. But on Friday night, I'll be working up an appetite while watching some top-notch prep football.
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High School ball winds down with it's final regular season game this week. For some, it's the end of a long season, for others a warm-up before the playoffs. All playoff spots and divisions involving county teams have been decided, so the games are strictly for pride and bragging rights, but there's still a couple of good ones that should be packed with action, especially Riverview (8-2) vs. Southeast (6-3).
High School FootballFriday, 7:30 p.m.
Booker @ Manatee
Lakewood Ranch @ Hardee
Bayshore @ DeSoto
Braden River @ Palmetto
Riverview @ Southeast
Moore Haven @ Bradenton Christian
The area's premier food and wine event returns this weekend, with the 9th Annual SunCoast Food & Wine Fest, an event on par with any of its kind nationwide. This Saturday, you can sample some of the area's best fine dining cuisine along with a world-class list of international wines, craft beers and spirits.
The SunCoast Food & Wine Fest, sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, will be held at the Sarasota Polo Grounds on Saturday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The Polo Grounds are located a just few miles east of I-75, off of University Blvd. You'll see signs just past Lakewood Ranch Blvd and then make a right on Lorraine and you'll see the large parking area.
The event will feature over 300 American and International wines for tasting, specialty foods from more at least 29 of the area’s finest restaurants, cooking demonstrations by well-known area chefs, live entertainment by two great bands, an incredible silent auction that includes a seven-day Catamaran cruise for two to the Eastern Caribbean, a six-day African safari for two, seven days in the Bahamas in an executive 3 bed/2 bath house, and much, much more.
All net proceeds from this event will be distributed to local charities through a grant process. To date, the
Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club has donated almost $1 million dollars to nonprofit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Tickets are $60 per person and
must be purchased in advance, as they will
not be available at the gate. Visit the event
website to purchase tickets. Everyone will receive a goodie bag filled with all sorts of great items including a signature wine glass. Parking for the event is free.
Suncoast Food & Wine FestSaturday, 1-4 p.m.
Sarasota Polo Grounds (Lakewood Ranch)
Website
Rick Springfield, the Doobie Brothers and Grandfunk Railroad are just some of the great classic rock bands you can catch at the 21st annual Ribfest this weekend at Vanoy Park in St. Pete. The event takes place Friday through Sunday and admission is only $10 each day, which includes access to concerts on both stages.
In addition to the music, there will be a Family Fun Zone along with a host of activities and of course, some of the best barbeque ribbers in the world. This is an event the whole family will enjoy. Visit the Ribfest website for more information and to see the full schedule of bands. Tickets are available online or at any area Rally's location.
Ribfest
Friday-Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m.
Vinoy Park
St. Pete
website
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Mixon's Fruit Farms kicks off its annual Harvest Festival this weekend with a Health and Business Fair on Friday featuring over 70 booths and lots of door prizes. On Saturday, Southeast and Manatee High Schools Culinary Arts Departments will go head to head in a cooking competition that will include a tasting for all who attend. Several local Master Chefs will be the judges for the event, so come out and see what the next generation of restaurateurs have in store for you.
Also, the Mixon's Concert in the Grove series kicks off tonight with New Justice from 6-9 p.m. Admission and parking are free with beer, wine and food available for purchase. This is a great chance to see top-shelf local acts in the beautiful setting of Mixon's pavilion – rain or shine! Since it is Veteran's Day, all active-duty military with I.D. will receive 20 percent off at the Mixon's store.
Mixon's Harvest Festival
Multiple Events, Nov. 11-21
Mixon's Fruit Farm
2712 26th Ave East
Bradenton
website
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On Sunday, it's back over to the ranch for the annual chili cook-off! Join Lakewood Ranch Main Street and the Manatee County Emergency Services as they battle it out for the crown of Manatee's best chili. There will be live music from the Rum Runners and Paper Airplanes at this delicious event that is sure to be fun for the entire family. There'll be fire trucks, a smoke house, an obstacle course, games and of course plenty of oh so spicy chili.
Lakewood Ranch Chili Cook-offSunday
2-7 p.m.
Main Street
Lakewood Ranch
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