Today’s Note

Hey Lakeland, Connor here. It’s a relatively quiet weekend as the city comes back from a busy holiday season. I wouldn’t miss the very first First Friday of the year, and there are also a few comedy shows that you could hit after you walk through downtown. Here’s more to try out during the first weekend of 2024.

Happy Thursday, Lakeland — Rilee here. Whether you’re celebrating milestones with local businesses, shopping at the farmers market, or watching live performances, there’s plenty to do in Swan City this weekend. Keep reading for 10 can’t-miss events.

Events

Friday, April 20

Swan Brewing — 5th Anniversary Party Weekend | Friday, Apr. 21-Sunday, Apr. 23 | Times vary | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Swan Brewing’s fifth anniversary with new beer releases, live music, food trucks, and more all weekend long.
LoveBird Birthday Party | Friday, Apr. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken, 2101 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate two years of this local eatery with giveaways, beer sampling, and special guest DJ Brandon Gomes.
Wildflowers with a Butterfly — Choose your Surface | Friday, Apr. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39-$49 | Choose from wood boards, canvas, or wooden shiplap for this self-made painting.

Saturday, April 21

Keel Farms Blueberry Festival | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Try unique food and drink, pick blueberries, and pet farm animals at this family-friendly festival.
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Record Store Day | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Jesse Carl Vinyl, 304 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Line up early to shop exclusive vinyl records, pre-owned music, and more at this annual event — items are first-come, first-served.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles 2023 | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Plant City Airport, 4007 Airport Rd., Plant City | $7.25-$10 | The whole family can enjoy aircraft displays, a large car show, model trains, and hands-on activities.

Sunday, April 22

“The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 2-5 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | Watch this play about five southern women who rely on their friendship to get through the challenges of life.
Sunday Funday & Mimosa Bar! | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 12-7 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | $1 | Pour your own mimosas with prosecco on tap for $1 per ounce and free mixers.
“The Elixir of Love” | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | The Florida Southern College Opera Theatre and the Florida Southern Opera Orchestra are performing this charming comedy about unrequited love.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Editor’s Pick

Arts

Harrison School for the Arts graduate Spencer LaRue is taking the Broadway stage as James Potter Jr./Sr. and Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Check out three more Lakeland alumni on the big stage.

Outdoors

Did you know it’s International Dark Sky Week? The annual celebration encourages individuals to combat light pollution by taking inventory of their home lighting, speaking to representatives, and more.

Shop

Celebrate Record Store Day this Saturday at Jesse Carl Vinyl. The shop will be offering special record releases, giveaways, and other surprises. And if you don’t have a record player just yet, here’s City Editor Rilee’s favorite. Happy listening, Lakeland.

Great Escapes

Our guide to Long Beach, California

Great Escapes: Our guide to Long Beach, California

Get the California experience, without the pesky crowds. | Photo by SATXtoday team

Not shore where to set sail on your next big summer vacay? Check out this SoCal gem — we guess you can call it pier pressure.

Why go? Get lost exploring Long Beach’s historic districts or get in touch with nature at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.
Act like a local: Start your day off with something off The Breakfast Bar — perhaps eggs benny and a mimosa? You trip is not complete without a nice, cold paleta under the hot California sun at La Michoacana Plus Long Beach.
Vrbo: Casa de las Palmas that’s steps from the sand ($333/night)

Now that you’ve got everything you need to enjoy a few days in Long Beach, all you need to do is plan when you’ll seas the day at your next favorite getaway.

Bonus message from our partner: If you’re looking to book this trip, Going offers all the affordable flight hacks from your home airport. Sign up here.*

Crossword Puzzle

Use clues from last week’s newsletters to solve this puzzle

In case you missed it, we shared this puzzle in Wednesday’s newsletter. Give it a try.

A crossword puzzle with four words and clues to each word. — Can you use last week’s newsletters to solve our puzzle?
|
Graphic via 6AM City

Need some extra assistance? Click each link for a helpful clue:

Down
1. Lakeland’s first modern hotel, built in 1913
3. Bok Tower Gardens’ rare instrument

Across
2. Blue-green film that covers metal statues due to oxidation
4. Homebuyer _________; refers to homeowners buying in smaller markets

Fill out the puzzle

Shop

Number

33.7+ million. That’s how many bottles of Champagne the US consumed in 2022. Keep the bubbly flowing with our favorite vacuum insulated Champagne + wine chiller from S’well, plus the easiest Champagne stopper you’ll ever use.

Drink

Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.

Travel

Itching to take a vacation? We’re always in support of time off + self care — so we’ve rounded up five drool-worthy vacation spots to help you plan. This romantic chateau in Nova Scotia is one of our favorites on the list. See the rest.

Hey, how did you like this email? LALweekend is a new offering from LALtoday, and we want to make sure we’re getting it just right.

Let us know what you think by answering a few quick questions.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
LALtoday Team

How do you feel about crossword puzzles and other games in the newsletter? Please let us know if this is something you’d like to see more of, or if you’re not interested.

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

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