De Soto Food & Music Festival

Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 1
The Hernando De Soto Historial Society, a nonprofit that teaches about the legacy of the conquistador Hernando De Soto, is putting on this fundraising shindig at Nathan Benderson Park. In addition to sampling food and drink vendors, you can groove to a variety of live bands playing everything from reggae to country. Tickets are $10 per day or $25 for all three days.

Lemon Bay Beer Fest

Saturday, Feb. 29
Pioneer Park in Englewood will be converted into a beer garden for this first-time festival, which will feature several craft breweries, food trucks, live music and merch vendors. Proceeds will benefit the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Community Trust. General admission is free. Beer tasting tickets are $20 ahead of time or $30 at the door.

Pizza Making Class With Dan Bavaro

Saturday, Feb. 29
Dan Bavaro opened his first pizzeria in Tampa in 2009 and expanded to Sarasota last year. During a hands-on three-hour midday session this Saturday, he'll give you the inside scoop on how to craft pizza just like they do at Bavaro’s. Registration is $35 and includes a glass of wine or beer.

Cornhole & Cocktails Festival

Saturday, Feb. 29
This first-time festival is being organized by the Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis Foundation, and proceeds will go to benefit the group's Kiwanis Against Hunger program. Restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries will all be doing their thing at the Veterans' Expo Hall at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. There will also be cornhole, of course, plus live music. Tickets are $50.