Sponsored Content
Culture

Introducing Central Florida Food Fest

September 23, 2025 • 
Julia Pizzuto
Sponsored by
Photo 1: A bowl of ramen topped with avocado, onion, cucumbers, lime, and spices. Photo 2: A dish with shrimp + grits artfully plated.

Dance, dine, and sip all in support of a good cause.

Photos provided by Visit Central Florida

We hope you’re hungry: Bonnet Springs Park just announced Central Florida Food Fest.

The first annual food + beverage festival (21+ only) comes to the park on Saturday, Oct. 18, 5-9 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now for an evening of culinary excellence. Expect exclusive dishes from 10+ Central Florida restaurants, curated drink pairings, live music, a marketplace, and more.

Plus, we’re dining for good: all proceeds benefit Bonnet Springs Park’s commitment to community, culture, nature, recreation + education.

Grab tickets

More from LALtoday
The counter inside a Raising Cane's restaurant, with a large plush dog wearing sunglasses sitting on top.
Food
Lakeland’s ultimate restaurant wishlist
We hear readers’ hopes for future Lakeland eateries all the time. Now, we’re compiling them all into a restaurant wishlist to see which foodie dreams come true.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at dusk with the Lakeland skyline in the background.
City
See Lakeland’s top rankings on nationwide lists from 2025
From improving quality of life to wins for local businesses, find out how Lakeland measured up in last year’s rankings.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
Travel and Outdoors
More Avelo flights, planes coming to LAL
Avelo Airlines announced plans for two additional aircraft at its Lakeland International Airport base, as well as more flights on its schedule.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An ornate, carved stone exterior entrance to Lakeland City Hall seen from underneath a tree branch
City
Here’s how to join Lakeland boards and committees
Create the city you want to live in by applying to serve in these volunteer roles.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Kaylee Holland
A nighttime view of a street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, featuring dozens of colorful umbrellas suspended between historic buildings.
2026 travel trends in Lakeland
Airbnb released its travel trends predictions for the year — here’s how you can take part, starting in Lakeland.
January 6, 2026
 · 
Brianna Williams
Screen Shot 2020-12-23 at 11.21.13 AM
History
The history of snow in the Sunshine State
Has anyone seen Frosty? He was around here somewhere...
January 5, 2026
 · 
Staff
Women work out in an outdoors yoga class.
New to Lakeland
Get your sweat on at these gyms around Lakeland
From lifting weights and personal training to dance fitness and spin classes — we’ve rounded up 25+ gyms and fitness offerings around Swan City.
January 5, 2026
 · 
Staff
A graphic including reader comments and donations to 6AM City newsletters
Business
What our readers love about LALtoday
We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.
January 2, 2026
 · 
Staff
Green decorations in a space set up for the golf-themed VISTEBall
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Lakeland
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
December 30, 2025
 · 
Staff
A colorful sign reading "I love Mi Pueblo" in the foreground with flea market buildings in the background
Experience
Shop, swap, sell, and save in Lakeland
Here’s the deal — the thrift and vintage shopping scene is stellar in Swan City.
December 29, 2025
 · 
Staff