08.18.2022 PrimaryLogo

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Culture

Hit the Road: LALtoday’s summer road trip series
Feet out of car window driving on road trip
It’s time to pack your bags + explore, Lakelanders. | Photo by Avinash Patel via Pexels
Summer — the season of neighborhood cookouts, popsicle juice dripping down sticky fingers, and road trips. Call us car-zy, but this season brings an abundance of nostalgia, especially when it comes to driving down the highway while blasting The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be.”

That’s why we’re excited to kick off Hit the Road. In this summer road trip series, we will feature three destinations throughout June, July, and August — each with its own theme. We’ll be talking outdoor adventures, 30-mile getaways, and something for the foodies.

Before you pack your bags, here are some of our recommendations to prepare locally:

🥤 Stock up on road trip essentials

Swing by one of these LAL spots to stock up on snacks, drinks, and coffee to minimize your stops during the road trip.
  • Charlie’s Mini Donuts & Coffee, 1023 E. County Rd. 540A | Pick up a dozen of these bite-sized donuts, perfect for snacking in the car.
  • Twisted Sugar, 3958 Florida Ave. S. | Grab a few of Twisted Sugar’s cookies + a signature soda to sip on your trip.
  • Black & Brew, 205 E. Main St. | Stop by for a caffeine boost and order a sandwich or pastry to-go.
  • Bonus: Grab a fun road trip game or craft at Scout & Tag.

🎶 Create a road trip playlist

Check out these local artists + add some of their tunes to your road trip rotation.

🚘 Get your car ready

Check the fluids + car battery. If you notice anything out of the ordinary or need a last-minute oil change before you go, head to one of these local car shops.

🐶 Don’t forget about fido

Be sure to line up accommodations for your pet while you’re away. Reach out to one of the many local pet sitters or pet boarding facilities. Here are a few:

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EVENTS

Wednesday

  • Aaron Chen | Wed., Mar. 18 | 7 p.m. | Funny Bone, 1600 E 8th Ave C-112, Tampa | $35.00 - $49.96

  • Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life | Wed., Mar. 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Disney Springs, 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Orlando | $89.18 - $121.58

  • Opening Day of the International Carillon Festival | Wed., Mar. 18 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales | $20.00 | Get ready to kick off the International Carillon Festival with a day full of music, conversation, and springtime beauty! Start your morning at 10:00 a.m.

  • Spring Fling Cinema @ the VCF Welcome Center | Wed., Mar. 18 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Visit Central Florida Welcome Center, 101 Adventure Ct, Davenport | Free | The Welcome Center is hosting movies over Spring Break! Each movie is being shown at 10am and then again at 1pm. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a movie with FREE snacks!

  • Spring Fling Cinema @ the VCF Welcome Center | Wed., Mar. 18 | 1-3 p.m. | Visit Central Florida Welcome Center, 101 Adventure Ct, Davenport | Free | The Welcome Center is hosting movies over Spring Break! Each movie is being shown at 10am and then again at 1pm. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a movie with FREE snacks!

    • Thursday

  • Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life | Thu., Mar. 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Disney Springs, 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Orlando | $91.14 - $125.14

  • "Honky Tonk Angels" | Thu., Mar. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Theatre Winter Haven, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven | $39.00 | March 12th - April 5th, 2026When three gutsy gals from different backgrounds take charge of their lives, they decide to follow their honky tonk dreams all the way to the city of Nashville.

  • ICF presents: Matt Venuti Live | Thu., Mar. 19 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales | Experience an unforgettable sunset soundscape as Matt Venuti joins the International Carillon Festival for a breathtaking evening of music.

  • International Carillon Festival: Singing Bells and Singing Bowls: An All-New Musical Experience | Thu., Mar. 19 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales | Discover the perfect harmony of music, mindfulness, and nature at Singing Bells & Singing Bowls, an all-new event during the 2026 International Carillon Festival at Bok Tower Gardens.

  • Mike Goodwin | Thu., Mar. 19 | 7 p.m. | Funny Bone, 1600 E 8th Ave C-112, Tampa | $39.00 - $54.89

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    Skyline over Lake Mirror at night
    Check out our curated events calendar for something to do in Lakeland every single day. | Photo by @crescent_luuna
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    Weather
    • 90º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
    Development
    • Set your sights on the new mixed-use complex coming soon to The Ledger site. Following a unanimous vote by the City Commission, the 17-acre property will be zoned for commercial, residential, and retail use. Phase one will be a vertical development featuring a parking garage and 500 multi-family apartments. (The Ledger)
    • The public hearing surrounding proposed plans to demolish the Citrus Mutual Building (411 E. Orange St.) to make way for Publix employee surface parking has been put on hold at Publix’s request. In a unanimous vote, city commissioners agreed to postpone the meeting. (The Ledger)
    Number
    • $7.1 million. That’s how much The Shoppes At Lakeland Square Mall was purchased for by Miami-based Carrera Family Investments Inc. The 44,375-sqft shopping center is home to local businesses like All About Puppies as well as national brands like VidaCann. (The Ledger)
    Civic
    • There are 11 new voting sites for this year’s Polk county primary elections. Traditional voting takes place on Tues., Aug. 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — see a complete list of voting locations + primary candidates before election day. (The Ledger)
    Biz
    • We recently showed you Silver Ring Cafe’s new location at 217 N. Kentucky Ave., which it will share with Crispers. The two restaurants will share a dining area + parking lot, but will otherwise operate independently. Silver Ring fans can look forward to enjoying the same menu it’s had for the last 36 years. (The Ledger)
    Traffic
    • The portion of South Massachusetts Avenue between East Lime Street and Lake Morton Drive (and parking spaces on the north side of Lake Morton Drive) will be closed from Fri., Aug. 26-Sun., Aug. 28. Crews will be replacing rooftop air conditioners at the Citizens Bank & Trust Building (402 S. Kentucky Ave.).
    Community
    • Lakeland Linder International Airport is working on solutions for noise disturbances resulting from air traffic coming in from Tampa + Orlando. One proposal is to implement a strategic landing and take off pattern using the Polk Parkway as a guide. (LkldNow)
    Sports
    • Southeastern University student Amy Rhodes has made not just one, but two of her dreams a reality. The 22-year-old started a team in the Florida Basketball Association (the Lakeland Royals) which went on to win the FBA championship this past weekend. Rhodes is the youngest person + the only woman to ever own an FBA team. (Fox 13 News)
    • Calling aspiring pro-ballers. The Lakeland Magic is hosting open tryouts for local players on Sun., Sept. 18 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse (210 Cypress Gardens Blvd.). Pre-registration is $250 or you can sign up for $300 at the door. Time to shoot your shot.
    Eat
    • Red Door Lakeland’s new lunch menu is now live. Stop by the 733 E. Palmetto St. location from Wed.-Sat. between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to try the new offerings. We’ve got our eyes on the achiote chicken bowl + the house-made gnocchi.
    • Mark your calendars for Sun., Aug. 28 — Our Noire Kitchen is co-hosting a brunch experience at Winter Haven’s Obscure Wine (276 W. Central Ave.) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The first-come, first-served event will feature menu items like berry french toast, chicken + savory waffles, and more.
    Try This
    • Calling all college students. Rec Room is hosting a Back 2 School Bash on Thurs., Aug. 25. Kick off the new school year with live music by Black Roses starting at 10 p.m. and get a peek at the business’ new expansion starting at 9 p.m.
    Drink
    • Krazy Kombucha has a new flavor that we’re dying to try — Strawberry Daiquiri. With hints of coconut + hibiscus, this flavor reminds us of a tropical summer day.
    Film
    • We know Swan City is full of cinephiles with a love for movies filmed in Lakeland. Reader MaryAnn C. let us know about two more we hadn’t seen — “China Moon” starring Ed Harris and “Endure” starring Judd Nelson. We’re adding these thrillers to our watch list.
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    Culture

    Lakeland’s Valentine’s Day date guide
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    We love you, Lakeland. | LALtoday
    Whether you’re looking for a romantic rendezvous with your perennial partner or a more lighthearted affair with a fresh flame, we’ve got you covered with 9 Valentine’s Day date recommendations in Lakeland. If your most heartfelt commitment is hating Valentine’s Day, keep reading. We’ve got something for you, too.
    Read More

    Today’s edition was written by City Editor Rilee.

    Editor’s pick: One of my favorite types of tours to take in a new city is a ghost tour. While I don’t know of any of these in Lakeland just yet, I’d love to take one. Tell me the haunted local sites you know about so I can take a self-guided tour — when I get up the courage. 👻

    Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Plan a staycation at one of 10 Airbnb and Vrbo rentals around Lakeland, here.

    Connect with our team.

    Editorial: Connor Keith, Rilee Delgado, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Sydnie Roberts | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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