Culture

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Culture
We’re tossing our caps for these college graduations around Lakeland
How to prepare + plan for your weekends as Lakeland celebrates graduates from four of its five colleges around town.
April 22, 2024 12:49 PM
 · 
Amelia Herring
The brick and iron entrance to Munn Park frames a group of people walking beneath a tree with a bright pink trunk.
New to Lakeland
Head outside with a guide to Lakeland’s parks
We’re highlighting the top parks that Lakeland has to offer — complete with splash pads, playgrounds, WiFi, walking trails, and even a few dog-friendly spots.
April 19, 2024
 · 
Staff
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Food
Feeling fresh: Smoothies, salads, and acai in the 863
Sometimes we just want something light and refreshing.
April 19, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
lakeland swans
Culture
Let’s refresh: What is LALtoday and what do we cover?
It’s never a bad idea to reintroduce yourself — we’re LALtoday, a hyper-local newsletter curated, narrated, and delivered to your inbox every day at 6 a.m.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Two girls smile for the camera in front of a Lakeland mural.
Culture
Meet the editors behind LALtoday
Say hello to Connor Jacobson + Amelia Herring, the faces behind your favorite 5-min morning newsletter.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
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Culture
19 local gift ideas to celebrate motherhood
April 17, 2024
 · 
Staff
A map showing the outlined area of the Downtown West development area.
City
Lakeland City Commission adopts Downtown West Action Plan
Here’s what Lakelanders need to know about the upcoming developments for the Downtown West area.
April 16, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
A large dog on a leash sits on a bench near Lake Mirror in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Pamper your pet at these Lakeland spots
We’re paws-itive you’ll find a new park, pet supply store, or groomer to take care of your four-legged friends.
April 15, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vinyl records categorized by genre at Jesse Carl Vinyl in Lakeland, FL
Business
Celebrate Record Store Day with Jesse Carl Vinyl
Owner Jessi Zilka shared how you can support this local shop during the international Record Store Day event.
April 15, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior shot of the Terrace Hotel
Real Estate
The Terrace: Lakeland’s oldest, most luxurious hotel
This historic building has been a staple of Swan City’s skyline for nearly a century.
April 10, 2024
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
A bowl of three bean stew sits on a black table top, pictured from above.
Food
Vegan and vegetarian eats in Lakeland
Dig into delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian fare in every corner of Swan City.
April 10, 2024
 · 
London Gibson
The New Haven, CT downtown skyline viewed from afar. Behind highrise buildings are wooded hills.
Travel and Outdoors
A Lakelander’s travel guide to New Haven, CT
Find out what to do and where to stay in the first destination city Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.
April 9, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
publix
Culture
Lakeland’s oldest businesses
From apparel to food, Swan City has multiple family-owned businesses that have been around for half a century — or more.
April 4, 2024
 · 
Kaylee Holland
Fireworks explode in the night sky over several parked fighter jets at the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace expo.
Events
SUN ‘n FUN is back in Lakeland
This annual festival celebrates all things aviation. Save this guide to admission, activities, and aviation fun.
April 3, 2024
 · 
Staff
Two people stand with their backs to the camera looking at a painting.
Sponsored
The lesser-known side of the Polk Museum of Art
Sponsored by
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult's Launch Pitch Night for the chance to win up to $10,000 in funding.
Business
Meet the finalists for Launch Pitch Night at Catapult
These five entrepreneurs pitched their businesses for the chance to secure up to $10,000 in micro-grant funding.
April 1, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
Culture
Laugh along with Swan City Improv, Lakeland’s very own comedy troupe
Their job? It’s just laughs.
March 29, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
LAL-lakeland-downtown-skyline
Work
The who’s who and what’s what of Lakeland’s economy: Meet the top employers and industries
Explore the leading economic drivers in Lakeland — from exciting, new technology to top leaders in growing and distributing delicious eats.
March 28, 2024
 · 
Victoria Bardega
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Culture
Easter festivities happening around Lakeland this weekend
Make your weekend egg-cellent by taking in one of these Easter-themed events.
March 27, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A graphic showing four different locations around Lakeland is shown: the City Hall sign, the Polk Theatre marquee, a building at Southeastern University, and the sign at Munn Park.
Real Estate
How well do you know these Lakeland locations?
Wanna play a game? Test your knowledge of how well you know Lakeland locations by the address alone.
March 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
Four white plates sit on a brown wooden table. Two contain two slices of French toast while the other two contain scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage links.
Culture
Answered: Your picks for Lakeland’s hidden gems
From food and drink to retail and attractions — we asked you for what hidden gems make Lakeland the best and you delivered.
March 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
A man wears a black t-shirt that reads "Lakeland vs. Everybody, Welcome Back Tigers" in white lettering. He also wears a Detroit Tigers baseball cap and stands in front of a Tigers baseball banner on a wall.
Sports
Lakeland vs. Everybody: How a Detroit slogan came to Swan City
Have you seen this phrase on t-shirts lately? Learn how it started in Detroit, MI and how you can get your own tee to rep your city.
March 14, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL_orangeblossompoems_APR2024
Culture
Read the finalist poems for our 2024 poetry contest
We challenged our readers to turn one of our newsletters into a poem in honor of National Poetry Month — here’s what you came up with.
March 14, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
Reececliff diner at night
Food
Celebrating Pi Day with Lakeland’s longest-running restaurant
When visiting Reececliff Diner, you simply can’t forget the pie.
March 13, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
A crowd dressed in green celebrates at a St. Patrick's Day street party. The street is lined with lit palm trees and festive banners are hung between them over the partiers.
Food
Try your luck at these St. Patrick’s Day events
It’s the perfect day for live music, traditional foods, and green beer.
March 12, 2024
 · 
Intern
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Food
20+ great brunch restaurants to try in Lakeland
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in Lakeland, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, bloody marys, and more.
March 8, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A mini golf sign is lit up in the darkening sky.
Culture
Kid-friendly activities in Lakeland
We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Lakeland, FL has to offer — complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.
March 7, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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Culture
Celebrate National Retro Video Game Day with these Lakeland gaming hubs
It’s time to get your game on, Lakelanders – your video game that is.
March 7, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
A girl sits outside of a bookstore at a patio table while reading a book.
Culture
Best places to read a book around Lakeland
If reading is your activity of choice, try one of these Swan City spots the next time you crack open your favorite novel.
March 5, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
LAL_Miss_Florida_1946_Feb_2024
Culture
Glamour and growth: How Lakeland became Miss Florida’s crown jewel
Miss Florida has changed a lot over 90 years, including finding a new home in Swan City.
March 5, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
LAL-PlanAhead-2020_Feb
Culture
It’s Leap Day: Here’s what Lakeland was doing four years ago
It’s been four years since the last time we had a 29th day in February. Take a peek into what was going on in Lakeland last Leap Day.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
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