6AM City In-house

How well do you know Lakeland?

15 fun facts about Lakeland
Lake Parker at sunset with clouds and trees reflecting on the water
Lake Parker Park gives the reflections at Lake Mirror a run for their money. | Photo via @lizleon
Did you know Lakeland is full of lakes?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there are plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Lakeland’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

1. Of course you know that Lakeland is full of lakes, but do you know exactly how many? There are 38 around the city, with Lake Parker coming in as the largest at 2,108 acres. Even with all of these lakes, Lakeland surprisingly has fewer lakes than the neighboring city Winter Haven, which is home to 50.

A black and white photo of the exterior of the first Publix store

In 1940, Publix was only found in Winter Haven.

Photo via Florida Memory


2. You may be surprised to find out that Lakeland isn’t the location of the very first Publix store. While we know Lakeland as the present-day headquarters of Publix, founder George Jenkins opened his first supermarket in downtown Winter Haven in 1930. Today, Lakeland is home to five of the supermarket’s manufacturing facilities, a distribution facility, and corporate offices.

Postcard showing a drawing of Henley Field, winter home of Detroit Tigers, Lakeland, Florida

We’ll send you a postcard from Henley Field, the original winter home of the Tigers.

Image via Florida Memory


3. America’s pastime has a local connection. The Detroit Tigers have held their spring training in Lakeland since 1934, making it one of the longest-standing relationships between a Major League Baseball team and its spring host city. Baseball all-stars like Al Kaline and Miguel Cabrera have honed their skills right here in TigerTown.

4. Aviation fans, you’re in the right place — Lakeland is home to Florida’s largest annual convention, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. The annual event welcomes 200,000+ visitors to see airshows, workshops, and vendors each year, making it one of the world’s largest aviation events.

Your turn. Think you can get one over on us? Let us know your favorite local trivia tidbit and you just might make it into the newsletter.
11 MORE FUN FACTS

Did our fun facts surprise you?

A. Yes, I didn’t know any of these
B. I knew a few but there were still some surprises
C. I know my city well and knew all these already
LET US KNOW
Lakeland Regional Health

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Dec. 23
  • Festive Friday | Friday, Dec. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | View Christmas lights and characters in Munn Park — retail stores will be open later for shoppers.
  • Xmas Xperience | Friday, Dec. 23 | 5-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Families can enjoy activities, performances by FrediDance Project, and photos with Santa himself.
Saturday, Dec. 24
  • Skates with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 1:30-3 p.m. | 3395 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | $15 | Skate on real ice with Santa Claus and other special guests.
  • Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Shop produce, plants, and handmade goods from local makers at this weekly downtown farmer’s market.
Monday, Dec. 26
  • Kwanzaa at the Museum | Monday, Dec. 26 | 1:45-5 p.m. | African American Heritage Museum, 585 E. Summerlin St., Bartow | Free | Celebrate Kwanzaa while learning about African American history.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
  • Lakeland Magic vs. Westchester Knicks | Tuesday, Dec. 27 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $12-$158 | See if the force is with the Magic in this “Star Wars"-themed game — the first 1,000 fans will receive a lightsaber.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Friday, Dec. 30
  • LkldNow News Aid Benefit Concert | Friday, Dec. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $20 | Support local news nonprofit LkldNow at this benefit concert featuring Kimmy Gabriela, Sumner Curtis Trio, and Sister Mister.
  • Florida Tropics SC vs. Chihuahua Savage | Friday, Dec. 30 | 7:05 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $7-$23 | The Tropics go head-to-head against the Chihuahua Savage, a soccer team from Mexico.
Saturday, Dec. 31
  • NYE 2023 Electric Masquerade | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $20 | This electro masquerade dance party includes a free champagne toast at the ball drop.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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
Publix

Weather
  • 67º | Mostly sunny | 20% chance of rain
  • Anyone feeling a chill? Polk County is currently under a freeze watch as temperatures are forecasted to dip below 32º tonight — and with wind chills, it could feel more like 23º. Pro tip: Bring in your outdoor plants or cover them up to protect them from frost. 🧤 (Fox 13 News)
Development
  • More details on the new Oak Street apartments have been released. The proposed design calls for apartments, townhomes, and retail space built around the planned three floors of parking, plus a courtyard for recreation available to residents. Renderings show space that could possibly be used for a cafe. (LkldNow)
Civic
  • City commissioners voted to increase pay for Lakeland Police Department officers following eight months of negotiations with the LPD’s union. All union members are set to receive 5% raises, and some members will be eligible for additional increases. 🚔 (The Ledger)
Number
  • ~$30 million. That’s how much Polk County will receive over 18 years from settlements from national drug distributors to fight the opioid crisis. The Polk County Commissioners have received the first payment of $400,000, which will be used for strategies to prevent substance abuse. (WFTS)
Edu
  • Lakeland High School’s chorus was selected to perform during the National Youth Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April. The students are now fundraising $60,000 to cover trip costs and practicing new music. 🎶 (LkldNow)
Holiday
  • It’s not such a silent night when this group knocks on your door. The family behind the Lake Morton Carolers has been traveling door-to-door for 65 years to sing for Lakelanders. This year, the Carolers perform for residents at Charming Lakes Rehabilitation and Care Center. (The Ledger)
Sports
  • After falling behind in Wednesday’s game, the Florida Tropics will try to pull off a win as they play the Baltimore Blast again tonight. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. at the RP Funding Center — buy your tickets in advance. ⚽️
History
  • Did you know there are 76 National Historic Places in Polk County? Buildings, objects, sites, and city blocks all across Lakeland are worthy of preservation. Contact your State Historic Preservation Office if you’ve got a tip on an unsurveyed historic place.
Biz
  • The second round of voting for Catapult’s Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards is now underway. This is an annual celebration of the startups in our community and those who support them. Lakelanders can choose which of the three nominees is their favorite Lakeland entrepreneur now through Wednesday, Jan. 4.*
Stat
  • One in five small businesses will fall victim to a cyber attack. Entrepreneurs and side hustlers, check out these six ways to protect your biz. 🖥️ *
Drink
  • Scrambling to find a last minute gift? Enter: Flaviar — a subscription for those who love premium spirits. Send loved ones a gift subscription and they’ll have the opportunity to taste new, rare, and limited edition spirits of their choice each month. 🥃*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Orangetheory Fitness

Taking a break

Taking a break
Light-up swans on the shore of Lake Morton at night.
Have a swan-derful holiday season. | Photo by @lkldlense
As we sit down to our laptops for the last time in 2022, it’s nice to reflect back on the year behind us and be thankful for all the great stories we were able to write.

From the opening of Bonnet Springs Park to development news, we had fun sharing this wonderful city with you. Thank you for being a reader of LALtoday.

We will be taking a break next week, catching our breath, and spending time with friends and family. Your next regularly scheduled newsletter will hit your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. We hope you’re able to step away as well. And if you find yourself with some downtime, here are a few ways to get out there and explore LAL:
Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
— Rilee + Connor
Edward Jones
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: In need of even more fun facts to impress your friends and family with during the holidays? Check out our table topics to learn something new — and then teach your loved ones some local history.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get down to business and learn Lakeland’s largest employers, here.
Connect with us.

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

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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