06.06.2023

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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

⚾️ Swing, batta

Your guide to summer games with the Lakeland Flying Tigers

Watch the sun set at one of the Lakeland Flying Tigers’ summer games. | Photo by @lkdflyingtigers

Just when you thought America’s pastime couldn’t get any sweeter, the Lakeland Flying Tigers have rolled out a summer schedule filled to the brim with unique experiences for the whole family. Here’s what you need to know before you don your team gear and take yourself out to the ball game.

Tuesdays

Collect your free Bingo card as you enter the stadium and play for prizes from Lakeland restaurants and attractions. Play continues until 10 winners have been announced.

Wednesdays

Wednesdays are all-you-can-eat. For the price of one all-inclusive ticket ($22-$25), enjoy the game + unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and fountain soda from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursdays

On weekly 8-6-3 Thursdays, purchase a hamburger and fries combo for $8, a 16-oz draft beer for $6, and a 22-oz fountain soda for $3.

Sundays

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet at the ’34 Club from 12-3 p.m. Send young fans to the kids’ zone for face painting, balloon artists, and bounce houses. Kids 12 and under can also run the bases after Sunday games, weather permitting.

Special events

TigerTown Chili Throwdown | Thursday, June 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Cheer on your team while Lakeland Fire Departments compete for the best chili in town at this annual throwdown. Try chili samples from 5:30-7:30 p.m. — proceeds from special Chili Throwdown tickets will benefit the Florida Children’s Museum.
Faith & Family Night | Friday, June 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Bring the whole crew out to this special family night.
Fireworks Extravaganza | Saturday, June 10 | 5 p.m. | Close out the night with a fireworks show following the game, weather permitting.
Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza | Tuesday, July 4 | 5 p.m. | Celebrate the holiday with the Flying Tigers — following the game, live music by the Sofa Kings and a fireworks display are on the docket.

Events

Tuesday, June 6

Tuesday Night Trivia | Tuesday, June 6 | 7-9 p.m. | Dissent Craft Brewing Company, 125 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge for a chance to win Dissent Craft Brewing gift cards.
Molly’s Musicians Showcase | Tuesday, June 6 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.

Wednesday, June 7

Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, June 7 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your current knitting or crocheting project to share tips and tricks with other crafters.

Thursday, June 8

Festival Insights with Charles Hulin | Thursday, June 8 | 5-6 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | Free | This local pianist, composer, and music professor will present on the works guests can expect to hear at this year’s Swan City Piano Festival.
Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, June 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Head to Munn Park for live music, scavenger hunts, and bites from your favorite local food trucks.

Friday, June 9

Night with NASA | Friday, June 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | $50-$90 | Former NASA astronaut Winston Scott will speak and give a Q+A session, and guests can enjoy a “backyard barbecue.”
Dixieland Night Market | Friday, June 9 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from local artists and makers, grab a bite from a food truck, and enjoy live entertainment at Union Hall and The Pink Piano.

Saturday, June 10

28th Summer Sunrise Watermelon 5K | Saturday, June 10 | 7-9 a.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $20-$55 | Join this series of summer 5K races that benefit scholarships for local students.

Events calendar here

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Try This

Spend a summer afternoon in Lakeside Village

Try This: Spend a summer afternoon in Lakeside Village

An exterior shot of a Lakeside Village's courtyard

In addition to a vast collection of retailers + dining options, Lakeside Village hosts fun seasonal events all year-long. | Photo by LALtoday

City Editor Rilee here. With temperatures on the rise and summer on my mind, I was thrilled when our team asked me to spend a day at Lakeside Village. In case you have yet to visit, Lakeside Village is a shopping center — scratch that, a lifestyle center — filled with everything you need for an afternoon outing (or that to-do list you’ve been trying to knock out).

Whether you’re a foodie, looking to be pampered, ready to do some shopping, or looking for a pet-friendly patio, you can find it all in these beautifully landscaped streets and courtyards.

What we tried

Here’s what my day included:

Pure Barre 50-minute class
Planet Smoothie refueling with the Road Runner smoothie + a scoop of mango boba
StretchLab consultation and 25-minute stretch session
Paint Lakeland gel manicure

Curious how it went? Read on to hear about the perfect kick start (literally) to the day, my sesh with a Flexologist, what makes Planet Smoothie so good + more.*

See what not to miss

News Notes

Number

$55. That’s the fuel rate proposed by Lakeland Electric and approved by Lakeland city commissioners yesterday. The fuel rate isn’t a change — Lakeland Electric asked to maintain its current rate despite falling fuel prices to save for upcoming expenses. The utility will have ~$9 million saved by November. (The Ledger)

Edu

The Digital Academy of Florida just celebrated its second graduating class. Among the top five graduates out of 309 were Lakeland twins Noely + Lilly Serrano. Students of the virtual academy choose one of six career pathways, complete classwork online, and participate in virtual clubs + events. (The Ledger)

Wellness

Peace River Center has launched the Behavioral Health Navigation program to make the behavioral health system more accessible and teach individuals about mental health and substance use services. Inquire online anytime or at Dedicated Senior Medical Center (4715 S. Florida Ave.) on Tuesdays from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Arts

The reception for the Lakeland Arts Association’s 51st annual Melvin Exhibition will take place at Florida Southern College’s Melvin Gallery on Friday, June 16 from 6-8 p.m. Stop by to see the award presentation — select pieces will remain on display in the gallery through July 20.

Pets

Looking for a new furry family member? Head to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Adoptapalooza event on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 7115 De Castro Rd., Winter Haven. Adoptions are free and include microchipping, initial vaccinations, and spay/neuter.

Ranked

No. 13. That’s what Florida ranked on WalletHub’s list of 2023’s Best and Worst State Economies. Metrics that factored into the rankings included Change in GDP, Jobs in High-Tech Industries, Unemployment Rate, and more. Meet Lakeland’s top employers. (WalletHub)

Travel

Orlando International Airport (MCO) celebrated its first flight to London Gatwick via Norse Atlantic Airways with a tour of the 787. See the airplane (hint: they say it’s dreamy) and MCO’s other new + resuming flights.*

Job

Lakeland Regional Health is recruiting nurses — and you’re invited to meet the team. Head to Fresco’s Southern Kitchen on Thursday, June 8 from 5-7 p.m. to meet nursing leaders + learn about their benefits and supportive, tight-knit culture. Bonus: Enjoy complimentary food, beverages, giveaways, and more. RSVP to rebecca.giles@mylrh.org.*

Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing

Health

All aboard the brain bus

Polk Pride is back: Here’s the 2025 event roundup

Older adults line up beside a purple bus to learn more about Alzheimer's.

Find the purple Brain Bus to meet trained staff from the Alzheimer’s Association. | Photo via Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus will be at Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Stop by to meet with trained Alzheimer’s Association staff to learn about local resources, caregiving, and diagnosis. Services are free — no appointment is necessary.

In addition to the Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus, the family-friendly Pride in the Park celebration will feature live entertainment, food trucks, and local vendors.

Other Polk Pride events include Pride on Tap, Pride in Faith, Pride After Dark, and more. Get the full details below.

More Polk Pride events

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

We recently shared our go-to recipes at happyfastdelicious, and I have a new one for you. If you’re looking for something super refreshing, try my Tutti Frutti recipe. It has blackberry, pineberry, raspberry, and pineapple, and it’s topped with a scoop of freeze-dried strawberries. Basically, it tastes like a Capri Sun.

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