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Happy Cinco de Mayo, Lakeland: Events where you can celebrate in Swan City

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Gallito at The Joinery has a wide range of offerings to choose from. | Photo via @dontfeedsean

Look no further. Whether you’re searching for a full-on Cinco de Mayo celebration or just hoping to order your favorite tacos for takeout (we’re partial to Gallito’s puffy tacos at the moment), keep reading for seven local spots hosting Cinco de Mayo festivities + deals.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration Dinner | Friday, May 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave. | $55 | Register for this demonstration-style cooking class to learn how to make pozole rojo, fresh guacamole, and horchata ice cream.
Unfiltered Lakeland | Monday, May 1-Friday, May 5 | All day | 801 E. Main St. | Price of purchase | Celebrate all week long with Unfiltered Lakeland’s special of the week: The virgin margarita slush.
First Friday: Cinco de Mayo | Friday, May 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 117 N. Kentucky Ave. | Price of purchase | Eat, drink, and dance in Munn Park and peruse the Makers Market for items made by local artisans.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta | Friday, May 5 | All day | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Price of purchase | Stop by to try Keel Farms’ specials — items like street corn salad, beef empanadas, and Baja fish tacos are on the menu.
Cinco de Mayo at Brass Tap | Friday, May 5 | All day | The Brass Tap, 1515 Town Center Dr. | Price of purchase | Enjoy special tappings, beer specials, and flavored margaritas like watermelon, strawberry, and peach.
Cinco de Mayo at Swan Brewing | Friday, May 5 | 7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St. | Price of purchase | Enjoy fresh bites from Smokin’ Chanchos and live music by Smokepoint.
Cinco de Mayo at Ax-Caliber | Friday, May 5 | All day | Ax Caliber, 204 E. Orange St., Ste. 102 | Price of purchase | Treat yourself to a $15 taco special and buy one, get one free Corona Lites.

Did we miss an event on your calendar? Add it here.

Events

Wednesday, May 3

Star Wars: Trivia Wednesday | Wednesday, May 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | See if the Force is with you as you answer questions about the “Star Wars” movies and live-action series.
Small Business Expo 2023 | Wednesday, May 3 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | My Office & More, 122 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Get advice from small business experts with workshops and consultations.
Duke’s Brewhouse Lakeland Bike Night | Wednesday, May 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Duke’s Brewhouse, 4960 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland | Free entry | Swing by for the Wednesday special: All-you-can-eat boneless wings for $11.95.

Thursday, May 4

Craft Beer Crawl 2023 | Thursday, May 4 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $5-$25 | Costumes are encouraged at this tasting of beers and small bites from downtown businesses.
Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, May 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.

Friday, May 5

Garden-Themed Accordion Bookmaking Class | Friday, May 5 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $25-$35 | Make your own springtime photo book or journal — all materials are provided.

Saturday, May 6

Yoga in the Vines | Saturday, May 6 | 9-10 a.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $10 | Start your day with an hour-long stretch in the Keel Farms vineyard and stay to visit the tasting room or restaurant.
SURROUND SOUND: Immersive Sound Healing Experience | Saturday, May 6 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $45-$50 | Experience this unique and immersive 90-minute vibrational sound therapy spa session.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Closed

Red Door Lakeland, the fan-favorite gastropub on Lake Morton, has closed for good. Red Door opened in 2009 and relocated to its current bungalow in 2013. While the time for dining has passed, you can bid the team farewell online. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

Lake Hunter is one of nine Lakeland lakes that needs cleaning — in fact, it’s leading the pack. According to the Lakes and Stormwater Division, Lake Bonny, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, Lake Hollingsworth, and others also need intervention to address high pollution levels. (LkldNow)

Legacy

Joe Mitchell, the founder of Mayfaire by-the-Lake, died on April 11 at 91 years old. Joe founded the annual juried art festival in 1971 at the Lakeland Public Library. Since Joel’s initial gathering of local artisans, the festival has grown to one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the state. (LkldNow)

Learn

The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County School Board, and Polk Works Lakeland have launched the 2023 Trades Academy. The free camp for middle and high school students will teach skills including carpentry, roofing, plumbing, drywall, painting, and more from June 5-June 16 at Tenoroc High School. Register online.

Development

Developers are set to break ground on a new rocket fuel-producing hydrogen plant located at the Mulberry intersection of Old Highway 37 and Pebbledale Road on Tuesday, June 6. And, in case you missed it, the plant will also produce 150 local jobs. (WFLA)

Sports

Polk State College softball players Kanitria Antenor, Alma Fernandez, Baileigh Herrera, Kailey Guethle, Chelsi Rae Hebert, and Alexis Hollinger received All-Suncoast Conference honors following this year’s Suncoast Conference. Polk State also improved its record for the second year in a row. (The Ledger)

Holiday

From Beverly Bakery and Ivy Floral Studio are partnering up for a delicious Mother’s Day bundle — and the deadline to order was just extended to Sunday, May 7. Surprise mom with a lemon and berry cake (vegan and gluten-free options are available) and a lush, garden-style bouquet.

Cause

Take Heart Africa’s annual Leading Edge Take Heart 5K is looking for team captains. The nonprofit’s goal is $25,000 raised by 20 teams. Think you’re up to the task? Apply to be a team captain online. Registration is also open for the race on September 30.

Award

Cheers, Haven Magazine. The team behind Haven and LKLD Magazine won five Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. Pro tip: Learn more about Haven Magazine and our other fellow local media organizations at our guide.

Eat

Make something new this Memorial Day. Publix is hosting a Memorial Day Celebration Dishes hands-on cooking class on Monday, May 8 at 6 p.m. On the menu: Reverse-grilled jerk pork shoulder steaks, chilled pickled Florida shrimp roll, peanut butter pie cupcakes + more.*

Health

Seasonal allergies are nothing to sneeze at. Watson Clinic’s board-certified Allergy & Immunology physicians Dr. G. Weyman Price + Dr. Lionel Bonini provide accurate and reliable allergy testing and treatment for children and adults. Read: They can help elevate your quality of life. Learn more.*

Family

Summer is just around the corner — so is Lakeland Christian School’s Summer Camp program, happening late-May to mid-July + featuring hands-on activities to get kids of all ages engaged in science, music, cooking, athletics, writing + more. Bonus: The popular Camp LCS is also open to K4-5th grade students. See camp options + register.*

Finance

The average retirement savings by age may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Biz

Looking for a place to host your next team meeting or conference? Whether booking for 4 or 200, Catapult’s meeting + conference rooms have everything you need included (plus some pretty great views of Lake Mirror). Peep the options.*

Outdoors

Help protect Lakeland’s lakes

5 ways to keep Lakeland’s lakes healthy

Presented by a LALtoday Partner

Lake Parker, one of Lakeland’s 38 named lakes | Photo provided

Here are five ways you can help keep our lakes healthy:

Understand how stormwater pollution affects our lakes.

When it rains, stormwater runoff flows into the lakes.
Minimize loose pollutants (oil, trash, lawn debris, fertilizers, and pesticides) that can become stormwater runoff.

Avoid single-use plastics.

Plastic water bottles, bags, and straws end up in our drain system and lakes.
Opt for reusable water bottles, grocery bags + straws.

Fertilize with care.

Excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff drain into lakes, reducing the oxygen in the water and killing fish + aquatic plants.
If you’re fertilizing your lawn, get your soil tested, apply the correct amount, and water it immediately.

Keep Lakeland clean.

Litter becomes trash in our lakes, which can harm ducks, fish, turtles, swans, and other birds.
Pick up trash occasionally or with a local organization.

Get the kids involved.

Teach kids about environmental consciousness and preserving our lakes with Toby’s Water Warriors.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite days of the year — not only am I a big fan of tacos, beaches, and a good frozen strawberry marg, but it’s also my birthday. I’ll be celebrating at Bar Taco in Tampa this time around, but you can find my favorite Lakeland taco in the beginning of today’s newsletter.

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