Drink Up: Boozy Events to Plan Your Week Around

LEMONADE DAY — The nonprofit Lemonade Day aims to teach kids entrepreneurial life skills (setting goals, budgeting, making a business plan, etc.) through something they're already familiar with: operating a lemonade stand. To celebrate the launch of the Portland chapter and encourage kids to register for the event in May, they're hosting a party tonight, March 2, from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring three Portland Trailblazers and Portland Timbers players, a lemonade beer from Coalition Brewing, plus snacks from Face Rock Creamery and chef Cathy Whims through Chefstable Catering.  Kids are welcome and the free event is at Centrl Office collaborative workspace: 1355 NW Everett, Suite 100, Portland

TOAST 2015 — Once again, the Leftbank Annex will transform into a showcase of boutique domestic distilleries for TOAST 2015. This is your chance to taste all of the small-batch, artisan, experimental spirits you've been drooling over, from producers like Aria Gin and Bendistillery. More than 40 distillers will be on hand with samples, and you can purchase bottles to take home. Smallwares, The Bent Brick, Stella Taco, Olympia Provisions, and Ringside Grill will serve snacks, and bartenders will create cocktails for purchase. The event is Saturday March 7 from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $45, or $60 for VIP, which includes two cocktails and access to the VIP room and distillers' after party. Purchase tickets online.

SAISONS GREETINGS — To make "springing forward" on Sunday March 8 a little more bearable Bazi Bierbrasserie is hosting its third annual Belgian-style saison tap takeover from 4 to 9 p.m. The twelve taps will be pouring mostly local farmhouse style ales including Breakside's Tropicalia, The Commons' Boysen, and Oakshire's Hermanne 1882, plus a few European producers, too. There will be sampler trays and flights, plus all-day Sunday happy hour deals.

THIRST FEST — For the second year, Portland's LGBTQ community and supporters will drink up to raise money for the Cascade AIDS Project, through THIRST Fest March 13 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and March 14 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Melody Ballroom. The event features samples from more than 40 craft beer, wine and spirits producers, plus a cocktail competition among  Portland bartenders. And if you find something you like, the vendors will be selling their bottles at the show. Cost is $20 for a one-day pass, $50 for a two-day pass and t-shirt. Buy tickets online or pay $25 at the door. 

WHISKEYTOWN — How can you resist a name like that? And with 75 distilleries from around the world offering 200 whiskeys, plus bartenders from top bars like Rum Club and Raven and Rose shaking up drinks, you can bet the third-annual Whiskeytown USA event May 8 and 9 won't disappoint. Soak it all up with food from Pok Pok, Bunk, Olympia Provisions, Swank & Swine, and 50 Licks, and dance it all off to live music. The event is held in tents outdoors in the NW industrial area, at NW 17th and Front Ave. Tickets range from $20 to $50 and proceeds benefit Be the Match Foundation and the Achon Uganda Children's Foundation.