Quick Tips

• The free event takes place on Sat., Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd.
• Parking is all off-site for the grand opening. View locations and shuttle information here.

Food

• Over 15 food trucks including Acai Bulk Bowls, Crab Daddy’s Surf & Turf, MK Boba + many more
• Stop by The Depot for hamburgers, chicken tenders, french fries, and more.
• Find Starbucks Coffee at the Hollis Family Welcome Center.
• Find non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks on the Lakeland Regional Health Circulator and near the Allen & Company Family Lawn.

Activities

• The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Plaza at the Depot on Sat., Oct. 22 at 10 a.m.
• Take a ride on one of Bike Zoo’s rideable creatures (we heard there might be an owl, but hoo knows?).
• Shop from local vendors at Buena Market on Sun., Oct. 23 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn.
• View the fireworks after Hunter Hayes’ performance on Sat., Oct. 21 from 8:15-8:45 p.m.

Music

• The Band Perry | Sat., Oct. 22 | 5-6:15 p.m. | Main Stage
• Hunter Hayes | Sat., Oct. 22 | 6:45-8:15 p.m. | Main Stage
• Local artists like Van Plating, Kimmy Gabriela, and more | Sat., Oct. 22 | 11 a.m.- 5 p.m | The Lounge
• Local artists like Micah Madore, Kaleigh Baker, and more | Sun., Oct. 23 | 11:30 a.m.- 4:15 p.m | The Lounge

• Festive Flix: Halloween Edition | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, Lakeland | Free | Catch a free screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with popcorn + refreshments available for purchase — bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
• Plant City Balloon Festival | Fri., Oct. 21 - Sat., Oct. 22 | 5 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $10.00 - $50.00 | Stop by for tethered hot air balloon rides, music, food, a night glow and laser show, and more.
• Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Flourish Baking Co | Fri., Oct. 21 - Fri., Nov. 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult, 502 E Main Street, Lakeland | Free | Part of the lunch series on Catapult’s patio, The Flourish Baking Co. menu will feature favorite brunch items and nostalgic flavors.*

• 37th Fall Garden Extravaganza | Sat., Oct. 22 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E Main St, Lakeland | Free | Shop from 40+ vendors to give your garden a fall makeover.
• Lake Gibson Classic Cruisers Car Show | Sat., Oct. 22 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Gibson Church, 6868 N Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland | Free | This show features cars manufactured before 1980 vying for prizes — food and door prize tickets available for purchase.
• Fox Squirrel Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch | Sat., Oct. 22 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, 6151 Varn Rd., Plant City | $10.00 - $11.00 | Pick a pumpkin in any size and shape at this farm with a corn maze, hay rides, a bluegrass band, and Southern food — open Saturday + Sunday.
• Hispanic Festival Lakeland | Sat., Oct. 22 | 1-10 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, Lakeland | $10.00 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with authentic foods and entertainment for the whole family.

• Classic Albums Live: Billy Joel “The Stranger” | Sun., Oct. 23 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $29.00 - $39.00 | Come “just the way you are” and experience Billy Joel’s 1977 album, “The Stranger,” as Classic Albums Live performs it note for note, cut for cut.
• Vintage VI Band Classic Rock w/ Uncle Bucky’s BBQ | Sun., Oct. 23 | 2 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Grab a smoked turkey leg from Uncle Bucky’s BBQ and listen to The Vintage VI Band bring the tunes.

• Wings ‘n Things | Sat., Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | Free | Experience the wonders of aviation through a full day of aerospace + STEM activities, like flying drones, launching stomp rockets, and more.*

• 76º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️

• 75,000. That’s how many tons of botanical waste the county has collected following Hurricane Ian in roughly 6,745 truckloads. The county will continue collecting in three phases and hopes to complete the $20 million cleanup by mid-December — half the time and cost of Hurricane Irma’s cleanup. 🌳 (The Ledger)

• Lake Morton’s swans got the royal treatment at the Swan Roundup. Veterinarians conducted wellness exams and found that many of the 73 swans had minor health concerns — particularly overpopulation and overeating. The city is planning another swan sale on Fri., Oct. 28 to reduce the population residing on Lake Morton. (The Ledger)

• Polk Museum of Art is breaking ground on its new $6 million expansion on Wed., Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. Stop by to hear from stakeholders like Anne B. Kerr, Lynda L. Buck, and Dr. H Alexander Rich, plus selected Florida Southern College students.

• The state responded to a higher-than-normal prevalence of mosquitoes with an airplane operated by Vector Disease Control International. Between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, all of Polk’s 200,000 acres were sprayed. Residents can do their part by removing any containers holding standing water on their property. (Fox 13 News)

• The Lakeland Police Department’s K-9 Unit took top Patrol Dog Team honors at the 2022 United States Police Canine Association, Inc.'s National Dog Trials in September. The win is the LPD’s fourth since 2010. 🐕 (LkldNow)

• Emily Rogers of Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching and Brandon Clark, President of The Ruthvens, have joined the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The two will use their knowledge of business to serve the organization, effective immediately. While it’s on the brain, learn more about the Chamber of Commerce here.

• Students from Pace Center for Girls Polk participated in the Lakeland Fire Department’s Igniting Change: Women in the Fire Service Campaign. The campaign aims to attract more women to the profession. Nationwide, 96% of firefighters are men. 🚒 (WFTS)

• Calling all gardeners. If you’re looking to refresh your landscaping with some native grasses, head to The Nectary (1047 E. Main St.) for 30% off today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Did we mention native grasses attract butterflies? 🦋

• The Polk County Sherrif’s 2022 Haunted Jail Tour — themed “Doomsday” — is kicking off spooky season with tours tonight, tomorrow night, and next weekend. Click here for a behind-the-scenes tour with 10 Tampa Bay, if you dare. 👻
• Head to Gandy Pool (404 Imperial Blvd.) today from 5-7 p.m. for The Great Pumpkin Splash, hosted by The City of Lakeland. The event will feature a pumpkin piñata smash, pumpkin dash, and of course, pumpkin decorating. 🎃

• Lakeland Regional Health earned an impressive ranking by Forbes Magazine as one of Florida’s Best Employers — not just in healthcare, but of any company in the state with 500+ employees. See the rankings and learn why the healthcare system earned a top nod.*

• Weekends are for brunch. Here’s an easy (read: it only takes ~10 active minutes) English Muffin Frittata recipe for an at-home brunch. Pro tip: The Berry Moscato Wine Slushy makes a great boozy pairing.*

• Here’s a friendly reminder that Halloween is almost here. Have you bought your costume yet? What about the candy? And if you want to be the coolest parent or grandparent on the block — while increasing your trick-or-treater’s nighttime visibility — grab this affordable 100-pack of glow sticks.*

• Mister Fish, 715 E. Palmetto St. | This carry-out Lakeland staple has been serving up its famous Mister Fish sandwiches since 1968.

• Gosh! Asian Bistro & Sushi, 4742 Florida Ave. S. | Stop by daily after 11 a.m. and order up a lunch bento box, which comes with your choice of entree, half a California roll, and a side salad.

• Bay Street Bistro, 211 E. Bay St. | Order the escargot before enjoying a variety of seafood options, including fresh-caught wild salmon, Chilean sea bass, and sea scallops.
• Catfish Country, 2400 EF Griffin Rd., Bartow | Reader Allyson A. told us to try the fried catfish and crab claws.

• Lakeland Seafood Market, 320 W. Memorial Blvd. | Prefer to be your own chef? Shop dozens of varieties of shrimp, fish, shellfish, and crab.