High and Dry Festival is Saturday at the Coliseum

Alcohol is not as popular as it used to be. According to the Cleveland Clinic, members of Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) are drinking less alcoholic beverages than previous generations. 

Alternatives are becoming a rising trend. These include hemp-derived, mushroom-infused and adaptogen (stress-relieving) products. 

St. Petersburg-based retailer Herban Flow is hosting the second High and Dry Festival Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The event, at the Coliseum, will feature over 75 brands, unlimited tasting areas, education stations and a wellness village. 

Herban Flow co-owner Michael Smith explained that the tasting layout will be split into four sections. There will be a functional drink area dedicated to mushroom, kanna and adaptogen products. Kava, which is known to help reduce anxiety, will have its own section. 

The festival will also have a “dry” area with non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. Additionally, there will be a hemp-derived beverage space. 

“Right now, the industry is just absolutely exploding and people tend to have analysis paralysis in choosing what’s out there,” he said, “and really learning about and understanding what these new ingredients are.” 

Creating the event was born out of a personal experience. 

“I’m five years sober myself and I miss beer festivals,” Smith explained. “So, I was like ‘let’s just bring everybody underneath one roof.’” 

In the tradition of a beer festival, attendees will receive a shot glass with their ticket and be able to sample beverages from participating vendors. 

Some of the drinks available, including those that are THC-infused, produce a buzz. Consequently, they are sold in different dosages. 

THC is the component of the cannabis plant that creates a “high” sensation. 

Hemp-derived beverages are legal in Florida as long as they contain 0.3% Delta-9 THC or less on a dry weight basis. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act. Hemp is considered separate from marijuana, which consists of a higher percentage of THC. 

A mushroom-infused beverage vendor at the 2025 High and Dry Festival.

“This isn’t only for people who quit drinking,” he said. “Sometimes, individuals just want an alternative to alcohol and still want to kind of feel a thing, but not be hungover or lose their ability to socialize.” 

It’s not just Generation Z either, Smith believes. Since opening two Herban Flow locations, he and his wife Caitlyn have served millennials and baby boomers as well. 

“We have people who are coming in for their parents who have Alzheimer’s disease, where they can’t drink anymore, but still want their wine. So, we’re able to give them non-alcoholic wine so that they can be happy and socialize.” 

Individuals who want to attend the event, but do not want to try any beverages are able to receive a free “designated driver” ticket, Smith added.  

New to this year’s festival is the wellness village. Local businesses such as the Body Electric Yoga Company and Resonance Chiropractic are scheduled to participate. Company representatives will set up tables and discuss their wellness and health services with attendees, he said. 

The 21+ event will also have food trucks, a DJ and a master of ceremonies. For tickets and more information, visit this link.