Honoring our veterans 🇺🇸

American flags waving beside Lake Mirror in Lakeland, FL

Support Lakeland’s veterans at one of these local events. | Photo by LALtoday

Friday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday that commemorates those who have served in the US military. Check out these upcoming events happening in and around Lakeland that honor the 60,000+ veterans that call Polk County home.

12th Annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 a.m. | Heritage Baptist Church, 4202 Pipkin Creek Rd. | Free for veterans | Enjoy a breakfast buffet with other veterans hosted by the Rotary Club.

Bartow 2022 Veterans’ Hometown Heroes | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11:11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | Free for veterans and one guest, $25 for others | Veterans and local civic club members are invited to this luncheon.

Veterans Day Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Park, 701 W. Lime St. | Free | Celebrate the unveiling of the new Spanish-American War Monument to the Buffalo Soldiers before a parade through downtown Lakeland starts at the RP Funding Center at 11 a.m.

Friends of Freedom Veterans Day Luncheon | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Cleveland Heights Golf Club, 2900 Buckingham Ave. | $50 | Hear from keynote speaker Dr. Aundrea Matthews, President Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, and recognize the artists behind the Buffalo Soldiers monument.

Lakeland Magic Military Appreciation Night | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free for active duty military, veterans, and first responders | Active duty military, veterans, and first responders can bring their military ID to the box office for free admission with the purchase of a ticket.

Plan ahead for the Flight to Honor Mission 8. Veterans can apply to fly from Lakeland Linder International Airport to Washington, DC in April 2023 to visit memorials dedicated in their honor. Want to support the cause? Apply to be a guardian and accompany a veteran on the mission.

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Nov. 7

“A Siren’s Peril: Underwater Portrait Retrospective” | Monday, Nov. 7-Friday, Nov. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | ART/ifact, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Browse this gallery of underwater photography featuring zombie-esque mermaids and mermen.
Sage-ing | Monday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Public Library, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | Free | Older adults can learn about personal fulfillment in this class meeting every Monday.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Crochet Buddies | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 3-4 p.m. | Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W McLendon St., Plant City | Free | Individuals aged nine and up can come to learn the basics of crochet — space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, Nov. 8-Tuesday, July 25 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Seinfield Trivia Night w/ Happy Ending Food Truck | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | There will be no soup for you if you miss this themed trivia night — all ages welcome.
Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Learn some new moves from 5-7 p.m., then sing your heart out starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10

COhatch Lakeland Grand Opening sponsoring the Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5:30-9 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the opening of this new co-working space with a fall-themed food truck festival, games, tours, and more.
Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention 2022 | Thursday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $6-$25 | Learn new scrapbooking techniques, shop from vendors, and work on your own projects with other crafters.

Friday, Nov. 11

The 39 Steps | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland | $20-$26 | In this comedic play, a man with a boring life is followed by a mysterious organization after meeting a spy.
Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12-$15 | Have some fall fun with a corn maze, animal adventure hayride, cow barrel train, and a miniature golf course.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

CAUSE

PEFCU pairs up with Boots for Troops 🇺🇸

A pair of combat boots sit on the ground with military dog tags hanging off and an American flag propped inside one boot.

Boots for Troops’ care packages send every soldier a new pair of boots, plus extra goodies and snacks (think: beef jerky, chips + coffee). | Photo provided by Publix Employees Federal Credit Union

This month, PEFCU is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for our brave military service members who are currently overseas.

The Boots For Troops Care Package Program uplifts the morale and mental well-being of deployed US soldiers by sending them carefully curated packages of snacks, card games, books, and hygiene products.

Want to pitch in? Visit your local PEFCU branch (3005 New Tampa Hwy.) to donate items or mail in your contributions. 📦*

DONATION DETAILS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

87º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Number

$214.2 million. That’s how much Lakeland Electric expects it will cost to service its 137,000 customers next year. To make up for a $7 million budget shortfall, the utility is considering raising electric base rates in the spring, increasing average bills by $1.65 to $5.51 per month. (The Ledger)

Community

The Lakeland Police Department is awaiting the arrival of body-worn and in-car camera equipment purchased for $9.3 million from an Arizona-based company. Officers will be trained when the equipment arrives, which LPD hopes will happen before the end of the year. (The Ledger)
Do you hear wedding bells ringing? If you’re looking for a scenic outdoor venue, consider tying the knot surrounded by century old trees and Florida foliage at Bonnet Springs Park. Learn more + request info. 💍 *

Holiday

Santa Claus is coming to town during the Lakeland Christmas Parade. The event starts on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. with fireworks, floats, and Santa himself. Pro tip: Arrive early to find your viewing spot, but chairs can’t be placed on the route until the day of the parade. 🎅

Award

Lakeland Electric has received the “Building Strong Communities” award from the Florida Municipal Electric Association. The award was given based on Lakeland Electric’s community improvement programs and projects — like its educational events, scholarships, and more.

Cause

Now this is a concert for a cause. Get tickets for NewsAid, a benefit concert to support local news nonprofit LkldNow on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Union Hall. A $20 donation gets you a ticket to hear Proper Wednesday, Sumner Curtis, and Robin Brooke. 🗞

Traffic

The Lakeland Square Mall Access Road between Chili’s and Rooms To Go will be closed to replace a failing sewer main. Plan to use another mall access road for up to two weeks — businesses adjacent to the closed road will still be open.

Try This

Step right up. Tickets are now available for the Florida State Fair, happening Feb. 9-20, 2023 in Tampa. Take advantage of this flash sale to make sure you don’t miss any of the rides, live performances, or deep-fried food. 🎡 (WFTS)

Family

Argh, me hearties. Legoland Florida has announced the opening date for its new Pirate River Quest ride: Thursday, Jan. 12. The captain-driven boats will take riders through Lake Eloise and Cypress Gardens. From Saturday, Jan. 21 to Saturday, Feb. 18, the amusement park will host recurring Pirate Fest Weekends. 🏴‍☠️ (The Ledger)

Number

$1.5 billion. That’s how much you could win on the current Powerball jackpot, the second-largest prize in Powerball history. With that much money, you could buy 235.3 million Born and Bread cruffins, 100 million Publix chicken tender subs, or 266 million Concord cappuccinos. We’ll be buying our tickets now. (Fox 13 News)

Eat

Add variety to your weekday lunch plans by checking out Catapult’s Fall Pop-Up series, featuring food entrepreneurs highlighting their latest inventions (think: chopped brisket sandwich, chimichurri cauliflower tacos + more). Check the schedule to see what’s being served Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. until Fri., Nov. 18. 🥪 *

Drink

A shot a day could keep the doc away. So Good So You’s Organic Probiotic Shot (read: an easy to take wellness shot packed with a powerful dose of gut supporting goodness) is buy one, get one free at Publix GreenWise through Wed., Nov. 9.*

Travel

Picture this: It’s a regular Monday at the office. You’re skimming your inbox for the fifteenth time when suddenly, an email arrives: ⛵Malta — $400-$500s. With a flash of your credit card, you’ve booked sunny skies + crystal blue waters for this year’s summer vacation. Good thing you got those Scott’s Cheap Flights notifications.*

Shop

Meet Rent the Runway, the easiest way to dress to impress (for less) this holiday season. By becoming a member, you can try every style, trend + designer you want — without ever buying a single thing. Bonus: Use code 6AMXRTR for 40% off two months of a membership or one-time rental. 👗 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

SPORTS

Take me out to the sports bar 🏈

Two women smile and hold up a Michelob Ultra bottle and a Wilson football.

Beer + football go hand-in-hand. | Photo by @foodand.beer

It’s always a great time to be a sports fan in Lakeland. We asked you for your favorite places to watch sports on TV while grabbing a bite, and you came out swinging. Here’s where you’ll find our readers watching their favorite teams during game time.

Food + Beer, 3615 S. Florida Ave., Ste.1350
We’ll start with City Editor Rilee’s favorite — this spot boasts 38 big-screen TVs and brews from local spots like Keel Farms, making it a true crowd pleaser.

Glory Days Grill, 3790 Lakeside Village Ct.
Several readers recommend this joint for pulled pork bowls, tacos, and drinks. Pro tip: According to reader Sandi S., you can use a box on your table to hear the specific game of your choice.

Two hands holding pints of beer at Swan Brewing — There’s a brew for you at Swan Brewing.

Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St.
You can’t go wrong with any of the beers at this brewery, but reader Fred W. prefers the Straight Outta Lakeland IPA. Order from whichever food truck is on-site for fresh, delicious game day grub.

La La Land Liquor & Lounge, 3239 S. Florida Ave.
It’s the bartenders who make this reader Megan S.'s favorite place to catch a game. Cheer on your team with friends — and play darts or pool during halftime.

Hamburger covered with shrimp and cheese from Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux — Get this Cajun-inspired burger topped with shrimp.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 3772 US Hwy. 98 N.
Head to Walk-On’s for Louisiana-inspired cuisine and plenty of huge screens. Reader M. A. is a fan of the food — we recommend ordering the Surf & Turf burger.

Winners Circle Sportsbar & Grill, 4215 S. Florida Ave.
Reader Brook A. loves this local spot for its hometown feel and community support. If you visit, order Brook’s favorite: The chicken wings — there are 60+ flavors to choose from.

Did we fumble your favorite sports bar? Let us know which one you love and we may add it to our roster.

SET THE BAR HIGH

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: It looks like the news about an upscale fast-food joint coming to South Florida Avenue is really shaking things up. Of the readers who sent in guesses for what this new spot could be, 70% think it might be Shake Shack. Stay tuned for future updates on this development.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? We asked Commissioner Phillip Walker five burning questions, here.

Connect with us.

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

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY