GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview April 29-May 1

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore.

WINTHROP ARTS FESTIVAL

Where/when: Nearly 100 artists as well as business and charity vendors are expected to converge at Winthrop Town Centre for the third annual Winthrop Arts Festival, scheduled for April 30 and May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why go: The event, to take place in the parking lot in front of the St. Petersburg Times building, will include 12- by 12-foot spaces for 100 artists. In addition, there will be 25 business vendor spaces available, 10 food vendor spaces and 10 spaces for local charities as well as a children's art activity center provided by Center Place cultural arts center and the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center. Music will be provided during the event by local schools.

Among the food vendors that have already signed up are Acropolis, 5 Guys, Cappy's Pizza, the Italian Kitchen, the Green Iguana, Moe's Southwest Grill and Morelli's Italian Ice, Winthrop's newest store.

Attendees also will have a chance to participate in a 50/50 drawings to benefit area Rotary club and their charities. Prizes include a mojito party for up to 20 people, concert tickets and a $500 E-bond from Valrico State Bank.

BRANDON IDOL ADULT CONTEST

Where/when: Residents are invited to attend the 10th annual Brandon Idol contest set for Saturday, April 30, at the area vocalists will  vie to become Brandon's next idol during the 10th annual Brandon Idol Contest.

The contest takes place at the Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, off State Road 60 in Brandon.

Why go: For the past two months, Brandon Idol hopefuls have been auditioning at various venues around Brandon. The result of those auditions is an all-star lineup of local talent who will perform before a panel of judges Saturday night in the hopes of winning the grand prize of $500, the first time a cash prize has been awarded. 

The public can vote for the People's Choice award winner during the contest, which will feature drinks, hors d'oeuvres and the comedy of Brandon Idol emcee Robert Horning.

Tickets for the event are $30 and can be purchased at the Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 S. Kingsway Road, Seffner; Drug Screen Solutions, 220 W. Brandon Blvd., Suite 106, Brandon; and the Clubhouse Sports Cafe, 1265 Kingsway Road, Brandon. To reserve a table, visit http://momentumfestival.com/?subj=contact_us.

BRANDON TEEN IDOL CONTEST

Where/when: The Brandon Teen Idol contest will take place Saturday, April 30 at 1 p.m. at the Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon. Tickets are $15 each for that event or $5 for anyone under 18 years of age. Reserved tables of eight are $125 each, or $175 for a premium table.

Why go: During the contest, Brandon area teens of all ages will compete to become the best singer in Brandon.  Teens will compete in two categories: a junior category for ages 10 to 13 and a senior category for ages 14 to 17.

MO FEST BREW FEST

Where/when: Organizers of the Brandon Momentum Festival will host the second annual Mo Fest Brew Fest Sunday, May 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at Bootleggers Beer and Wine Home Brewing Supplies, 650 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.

Why go: There will be five brewers demonstrating beer brewing as well as sampling of homemade wine and beer with a suggested donation of $5, with all proceeds going to the Brandon Family YMCA send-a-kid-to-camp campaign. Residents will learn how to pair food with wine and beer and received 10 percent off sales at Bootleggers. Beer brewed on May 1 will be used at a charity fundraiser six weeks later at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Brandon.

IN CONCERT AT THE FARM

Where/when: A full and special Friday coming up this tonight at The Farm, 7818 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia. There will be burger and hot dogs available at 6:30 p.m. and the music will begin at 7 p.m.  

Why go: Two Nashville recording artists, Greg McDougal and Kids and Danny Ray Harris, will be on hand to perform. In addition, musician Sergei Timokin from Russia will be there. Timokin will share a brief testimony that will touch your heart. The Farm has 350 chairs but, with crowds of more than 650 sometimes, owners Mike and Dense Holmes encourage you to bring a chair if possible. They've also added a special parking area for the handicapped.

GREATER BRANDON AREA COMMUNITY PICNIC

Where/when: The 34th annual Greater Brandon Area Community Picnic, previously known as the Greater Brandon Area Old Timers Association Picnic, and the Brandon High School Alumni Association's Grand Reunion is scheduled for April 30 at First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon. Families should bring a dish with a serving spoon. Beverages will be provided. Call Karen Rodriguez at 813-651-3261.

Why go: Here's a chance for old friends to get together and share stories of Brandon's past.

MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

Where/when: A free community multicultural festival and expo is scheduled for April 30 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds' Florida Center, 4800 N. U.S. 301, Tampa.

Why go: Guests can celebrate Latino, African-American and Asian cultures and enjoy crafts, live music and food. A $1 donation is requested at the gate to benefit www.ChristiansFight.com to combate muscular atrophy. For information, call 813-407-6866 or 813-407-7191.