A girl sitting beside Lake Mirror looking at the lake and moon at night

There will plenty of action in the sky this year. | Photo by @lisburns

Calling all stargazers. We’ve put together a handy guide of this year’s celestial events so you won’t miss a thing. Grab your calendar, mark down these dates, and start planning your 2023 night sky viewing adventures.

💫 Meteor showers

If you missed the Quadrantid meteor shower on January 3 and 4, fear not — there will be plenty more showers to catch this year. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:

Lyrids: April 22-23
Eta Aquarids: May 6-7
Delta Aquarids: July 28-29
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
Perseids: August 12-13
Draconids: October 7
Orionids: October 21-22
Southern Taurids: November 4-5
Northern Taurids: November 11-12
Leonids: November 17-18
Geminids: December 13- 14
Ursids: December 21-22

🌕 Full moons and supermoons

It may technically be the Year of the Water Rabbit, but it’s also the moon’s year to shine. While most years there are 12 full moons, 2023 will welcome 13 (two will occur in August). Here’s the full list, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

February 5: Snow moon
March 7: Worm moon
April 6: Pink moon
May 5: Flower moon
June 3: Strawberry moon
July 3: Buck moon
August 1: Sturgeon moon
August 30: Blue moon
September. 29: Harvest moon
October 28: Hunter’s moon
November 27: Beaver moon
December 26: Cold moon

📍 Where to go

When choosing a spot to view celestial events, aim for a location that is away from man-made light. Here are some spots that we suggest:

Lakeland Highlands Scrub (early morning viewings only) | 6998 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland
Majestic View Court | Majestic View Ct., Lakeland

LUNAR AND SOLAR ECLIPSES

EVENTS

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Wednesday, Feb. 1

Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Boot scootin’ boogie on down to learn some new moves, then show off your pipes with karaoke at 8:30 p.m.
Sunset Yoga in the Vines | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 6-7 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $10 | Yogis of all levels can get their flow on with a 50-minute yoga session — tickets include a drink voucher.

Thursday, Feb. 2

New Business 101 | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, 35 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | $25 | Finalize your new business plan and learn from small business experts in this four-week workshop.
T-R-I-V-I-A | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Show what you know and enjoy an extra long happy hour.

Friday, Feb. 3

First Friday: Mardi Gras | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find vendors, a car show, and plenty of beads as downtown Lakeland transforms into the Big Easy.
Smoke on The Water BBQ Competition 2023 | Friday, Feb. 3-Saturday, Feb. 4 | 5-10 p.m., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, George Jenkins Memorial Unit, 2400 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven | $2-$20 | Try barbecue dishes and vote for your favorite — proceeds support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County.

Saturday, Feb. 4

18th Annual VisteBall | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 6 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $75 | Play indoor golf to win prizes and benefit Volunteers in Service to the Elderly — tickets include dinner and drinks.
2023 Hunt for Sasquatch 10K, 5K, 1 Mile | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bone Valley ATV Park, 10427 County Rd. 630 W., Mulberry | $20-$65 | Join in races and fun runs through outdoor trails as you keep an eye out for the Sasquatch.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Lakeland Magic vs Mexico City Capitanes | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 3 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $12-$158 | The Magic face off against the Mexico City Capitanes at home in this Hispanic Heritage game — the first 1,000 fans receive a replica jersey.

Tuesday, March 28

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Tuesday, March 28-Sunday, April 2 | 8 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $45+ | Flight is just the beginning of the Magic at the 2023 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.*

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

NEWS NOTES

Weather

84º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Development

Developers have broken ground on Florence Place, an 88-unit affordable housing apartment complex in Winter Haven. The units will be priced for those making 30-60% of the average median income. Construction is expected to complete by spring 2024 — see floor plans here. (The Ledger)

Edu

Southeastern University is offering scholarships for Polk County high schoolers through the American Center for Political Leadership’s Civic Initiative Essay Contest. See the full list of rules and submit an essay by Friday, March 31 to win up to $1,500 for college. 📝
Does your student need a place to study? Head to Pressed (213 E. Bay St.) on Tuesdays from 2-6 p.m. for Study Hall. Just show a student ID for $4 drinks, including coffee, tea, and more.

Opening

A new store offering fine folk art from Mexico is opening at 3950 Anchuca Dr. this month. Attend the grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12 from 12-7 p.m. to shop 600 pieces of art from different Mexican regions. 🏺

Show

Whose line is it anyway? Laugh along with Swan City Improv at its shows on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. The team will perform improvised comedy for the whole family at Rec Room (in the former Lkld Live space). Buy your tickets online or at the door.

Drink

Seasonal sips have arrived at Ax-Caliber. Try the strawberry and rose-flavored Splash Rose Refresher or the Isle of Aphrodite blended with lemonade, strawberry rose, and lavender. For a caffeine kick, order the Berry or Chocolate Covered Strawberry Affogato — ice cream topped with a shot of espresso.

Deal

Get a berry sweet discount on tickets to the Florida Strawberry Festival, happening March 2-March 12. Starting tomorrow, Feb. 2, you can snag 20% off tickets when you purchase them at local Publix stores. Find the participating location nearest to you on this list. 🍓

Concert

See the stars perform at Bok Tower Gardens’ next Concert Under the Stars. Grammy-winning bluegrass band The SteelDrivers will take the stage on Friday, April 21. Pro tip: Tickets include garden admission — buy yours online early for discounts.

Community

BBQ + Baseball = a good time. The Detroit Tigers are being welcomed back to Polk County with an old-fashioned barbeque: The 76th Annual Tiger BBQ, a family-friendly event at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Bonus: Tickets include a souvenir mug. More info + tickets.*

Biz

Curious where hundreds of entrepreneurs and multiple companies got their start? Check out the stories of Catapult startup members, who used the creative coworking + Maker Space to launch their ideas. Pro tip: Sign up for a membership and you could become their next success story.*

Finance

If cash back is king, this card is royalty. With a big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee, 0% APR until 2024 + more, it’s basically a no-brainer. 👀 *

Seasonal

Instead of roses or chocolate, opt for an experiential Valentine’s Day gift this year, like an intimacy card deck or chocolate truffle making kit from Uncommon Goods. Wanna plan the ultimate date night? Order this fondue set for two or enjoy this virtual romantic painting class. 💝 *

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

ASKED

Relive history (over and over)

A vintage postcard with an illustration of Downtown Lakeland and Lake Mirror from an aerial view

Do you think a swan will see its shadow tomorrow? | State Library and Archives of Fl

As Punxsutawney Phil was seeing six more weeks of winter in our future last month, we were looking back into the past. Inspired by the movie “Groundhog Day,” we asked our readers which day in Lakeland’s history they would relive. Plug these answers into your time machine and let’s go for a spin down memory lane.

Elvis_on_stage — We’d pay $1.50 for this iconic performance. | Photo by Jerry Perkins courtesy Laura Milton, Polk Theater

Readers Michael S. and Michelle W. would slip on their blue suede shoes and see Elvis in concert again. The rock ‘n roll superstar visited the Polk Theatre on August 6, 1956 to perform his new hit song “Hound Dog” — you may have heard of it. You wouldn’t have to save up for this concert either, since tickets were only $1.50.

That’s not the only concert that has our readers reminiscing. Reader Buzz W. still remembers the Florida Sunfest that took place in April 1977. Over 90,000 music fans flocked to the Lakeland International Racetrack to hear Jimmy Buffett, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Canned Heat, and more. If you’ve got memories of this event, we want to hear all about it.

Lakeland resident M. Theodore Anderson + at the Lakeland rail yard circa 1890. | Photograph via Florida Memory

All aboard. Reader Carol O. is punching her ticket for the arrival of the first passenger train. Lakeland founder Abraham Munn persuaded Henry Plant to add a stop on his South Florida Railroad in 1884, effectively putting our town on the map. Today, you can hop on an Amtrak train, and SunRail is considering adding a Lakeland stop.

The band Air Supply performing onstage at the former Lakeland Civic Center — Air Supply performed at the Lakeland Civic Center in 1983. | Photo via Florida Memory

Do you remember the days of dressing up for a big show at the newly-opened Lakeland Civic Center like Reader Mary Ann C.? Her favorite band to see was KISS, who stopped here on tour in the 1970s. Don’t miss these upcoming performances at the RP Funding Center, formerly known as the Lakeland Civic Center.

WHICH DAY WOULD YOU CHOOSE? 📆

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: February is here, which means love is in the Lakeland air. We want to hear from you — do you have a fantastic date idea for our readers to try? Email us your best local date plans for Valentine’s Day (or any day) and we may share them in an upcoming newsletter.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We gave you a special permit to become an expert on development terms, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | 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.

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