📍 Essential info

🎟️ Experience

Photo by @marv.foodtography

🍔 Eat

Photo by @adam_brockett

🏨 Stay

• 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.
• Swan City Heavy | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Rock out with heavy metal music by Heavy Hitter, Gas FL, Tether, and other bands.
• 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 And 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.

• Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Stock up on fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this weekly outdoor farmers market.
• Oak Hill Cemetery Tour | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 11 a.m. | Oak Hill Cemetery, 4620 US Hwy. 98 S., Lakeland | Free | Learn Central Florida history in a new way while touring this local cemetery on the US National Register of Historic Places.
• Vendor + Dance Party | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 12-4 p.m. | Ensure Financial Group, 1253 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Network with small business owners and enjoy food, music, and a vendor fair.
• Sip + Shop | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Shop handmade art, baked goods, and more from local small businesses while sipping Keel & Curley wine.

• Chewy the Manatee | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Paint with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $37-$47 | Put your art skills to the test at this guided painting class — bring your favorite beverage or snack to make this experience even better.
• 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.

• 77º | Rain | 70% chance of rain

• Share your thoughts on planned Downtown West developments at a public workshop on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Yard on Mass (802 N. Massachusetts Ave.). The City of Lakeland will share ideas and gather feedback before plans are finalized this summer. 🏗

• ~$7 million. That’s how much the Lakeland CRA has spent on redeveloping the Midtown district in the past 10 years. Midtown is the largest of the CRA’s districts, covering the area from George Jenkins Boulevard to I-4. Projects to improve this community include Mass Market, Vermont Place Apartments, and more. (LkldNow)

• Polk Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid took a dip into reading to celebrate Literacy Week. Wearing a snorkeling mask, he read the book “Inky the Octopus” and shared fun facts with students, who gave the book eight thumbs up. Watch for future read-alongs featuring school board members. 🤿 (LkldNow)

• Streamsong Resort, a former phosphate mine turned golf resort in Bowling Green, has changed hands. The Mosaic Company sold the resort for $160 million to Kemper Sports, which has managed Streamsong since 2012. Kemper Sports also plans to add a fourth 18-hole golf course. ⛳️ (The Ledger)

• February is Black History Month, and the festivities have just begun. Mark your calendar for festivals, historic tours, and speeches taking place across Polk County. Pro tip: Check our local calendar for even more events near you. (The Ledger)

• Need a sweet treat? We stopped by the newly opened Mimi’s Italian Ice for a cold concoction that’s dairy and gluten-free. Stop by the shop at 3120 S. Florida Ave. today from 12-10 p.m. to try your own flavor combination — we went for dragonfruit and mango. 🍧

• Shops and restaurants at Lakeside Village are hosting a hiring event on Thursday, Feb. 16. Stop into participating locations from 12-8 p.m. to meet employees, learn about opportunities, and apply for open positions.

• Author Tom Corcoran, who lived in Lakeland since the 1980s, died on Jan. 16. Tom wrote the “Alex Rutledge" mystery series, which drew upon his experience living in Key West where he befriended Jimmy Buffet. You can find several of his books in the Lakeland Public Library. (The Ledger)

• Haines City Patrol Officer Haley McDonald was chosen as the Polk County Police Chiefs Association’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Officer McDonald, a Lakeland native, was selected because of her community connections and positive attitude. (WFTS)

• Love-inspired libations have arrived at Lugo’s Craft Distillery. The lounge (2500 Drane Field Rd., Ste. 208) is open today and tomorrow from 3-11 p.m. serving up new creations from its Phases of Love specialty cocktail menu. 🍹

• You know we love Publix GreenWise Market, and one of the best perks they offer (besides delicious organic food) is the Rewards program — check out all the benefits shoppers can enjoy on their website.*
• Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

• Looking for a place to host your next team meeting or conference? Catapult has a variety of meeting rooms for rent that can accommodate any size group. Take a look at the options.*

• Love cars (and looking for something to do this weekend)? Bonnet Springs Park is hosting its first Exotic Car Show tomorrow from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring a display of exotic + sports cars and a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Foundation. Learn more.*

• The community built one of the first churches in the Lakeland area, St. John’s Baptist Church.
• By the late 1880s, the first school opened in Moorehead, which paved the way for secondary all-Black schools to exist, like Rochelle High School and Washington Park High School.
• Resident Elijah “Shanghai" Jackson ran a juke joint, which sold sandwiches, soda, and beer. For the right price, you could also purchase liquor, even though it was banned in Polk County at the time.