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92º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:25 p.m.

 

Perfect places to celebrate

Rentable venues in Lakeland

An interior shot of a wedding in Haus820
Former City Editor Rilee got married in Haus 820 for its open-air concept and simple environment. | Photo via Noble Photo Co.
Whether you’re getting a jump start on your holiday party planning, preparing for a family reunion, or hunting for your ideal wedding venue, check out this list of rentable venues in Lakeland.

Note: Guest counts and rates are based on estimations and various options available on each venue’s website. Please contact venue owners to inquire about current availability and current pricing.

Intimate gatherings

The Uliana, 1216 S. Florida Ave.
  • Rate: $500+
  • Accommodates 30 seated, 75 standing
  • 1,200 sqft
  • Key features: Refrigerator, freezer, island, and bar, plus plates, glasses, and more available for an additional fee
Pressed, 213 E. Bay St.
  • Rate: $200+
  • Accommodates 35 seated, 50 standing
  • 2,000 sqft
  • Key features: Tables, chairs, and couches
Table and chairs at The Joinery, a possible wedding venue

Rent The Joinery’s private brewing area for your next gathering.

|

Photo by LALtoday

Multiple options

The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.
  • Rate: $150-$500+
  • Accommodates 8-70 guests
  • Rentable spaces: The Tanks, The Square, The North Side, and The South Side
Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave.
  • Rate: $75-$1000
  • Accommodates 8-40+ guests
  • Rentable spaces: The Lounge, The Vintage Dining Room, the Outdoor Patio, and The Lawn
An interior shot of a wedding venue at Haus820

Former City Editor Rilee got married in Haus 820 for its open-air concept and simple environment.

|

Photo via Noble Photo Co.

Larger venues

Haus 820, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave.
  • Rate: $2,250+
  • Accommodates 350+
  • 15,000 sqft
  • Key features: Historic building, commercial kitchen, 16-ft bar, market lights, 7,800-sqft courtyard, outdoor murals, non-exclusive venue
Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave.
  • Rate: $2,500+
  • Accommodates 167 seated, 249 standing
  • 3,500 sqft
  • Key features: Brick walls, art deco accents, kitchen prep area, and a full-sized bar
The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave.
  • Rate: $600+
  • Accommodates ~160 guests between indoor and outdoor spaces
  • 2,500 sqft
  • Key features: Dog and kid-friendly spaces, large yard games, indoor and outdoor zones — individual zones can also be reserved.
6 more venues
Asked

What is your favorite aspect of attending a wedding?


A. The ceremony
B. The reception
C. The food/meals
D. Other
Tell us here
 
Events
Monday, June 12
  • Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, June 12 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — just bring your own water, towel, and mat.
  • Trivia Night | Monday, June 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy happy hour deals all day and test your knowledge with trivia.
Tuesday, June 13
Wednesday, June 14
  • Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, June 14 | 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 15
  • Civics 101: Why Should I Vote? | Thursday, June 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Well, 114 E. Parker St., Lakeland | Free | Join this voter education forum to learn how local, state, and federal legislation affects you.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Travel

✈️ How to protect your gut health while traveling

gut-health-travel.jpg
It’s very common for travel to wreak havoc on our digestive system, due to a number of factors from eating new foods to time changes (yes, “gut-lag” is a thing). | Photo by Pendulum
We’ve all been there: a sunny beach, a gorgeous new city, a cute little cabin — and then you feel the dreaded rumble. Your stomach doesn’t feel good, and you have to get to a bathroom, pronto.

Don’t let that happen to you. Before your next summer trip, brush up on five tips to keep your gut happy on the go:

1. Stay hydrated. Stick to (safe) tap or bottled water.
2. Pack probiotics. Pro tip: Sprint to checkout (instead of the bathroom) for 20% off Metabolic Daily with code 6AMCITY.
3 more gut-friendly travel tips
News Notes
Biz
  • Tampa Bay Business Journal included four Lakeland businesses — AgAmerica Lending, Southern Milling & Lumber Inc., Springer Construction, and SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler — on its Fast 50 list. The annual list identifies the fastest-growing private companies in the Tampa Bay area. The alphabetical list will be officially ranked on July 27. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Number
  • $30.5 million. That’s how much federal aid funding the Polk County Public School Board has allocated to addressing COVID-19 learning losses. Funding will serve nine programs: Weekend boot camps, summer learning, kindergarten readiness, STEM teacher training, and reading intervention are among them. (LkldNow)
Outdoors
  • Polk County Fire and Rescue responded to a large sinkhole near Scott Lake in south Lakeland on Friday. While it didn’t directly affect any homes, four homeowners were put on evacuation standby. The 80-ft. hole isn’t the first in the area — a similar one appeared in 2006. (WFTS + LkldNow)
Legacy
  • Rob Mason, 77, died last Thursday from pancreatic cancer. An active member of the Lakeland Runner’s Club, Rob helped found races including the MidFlorida Mayfaire 5K, the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series, and the Aching Quad Challenge. Rob journaled each run; his runs totaled 79,679 miles. (The Ledger)
Community
  • Last week, Polk County commissioners informed Imperial Lakes residents that a solution for recurring flooding is coming. While not the immediate fix residents requested, commissioners hope to expedite the existing long-term plan to bring relief to the 1,700-acre community. Once started, the project could take 18 months. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • According to nonprofits working with Polk County Public Schools, the number of students experiencing homelessness is increasing. This month, 4,550 students were without homes, and it’s expected that the number will rise to 4,700 within months. If you’re looking to help, check out these volunteer opportunities. (WFTS)
Civic
  • Dale Henderson has been appointed as Polk’s director of the waste and recycling division, effective Monday, June 19. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Dale has varied experience ranging from collection services to capital investments and strategic planning. (The Ledger)
Try This
  • Whether you’re considering adding a new furry friend to your family or just looking for a fun summer activity, try taking an SPCA dog on a Doggie Date. Wondering what it’s like? Read about our experience with Titan — from pup cups to walks by the lake, he stole our hearts.
Festival
  • A watermelon weekend is in the works. Keel Farms is celebrating the summer watermelon harvest from Saturday, June 24-Sunday, June 25. Stop by for watermelon eating contests, watermelon recipes, live music, water slides, and the release of their watermelon cider, lager, blush wine, and Strawberry Watermelon Wine. (That’s So Tampa)
Listen
Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Featured Deal
Trending
  • How to make skincare more fun: The Marshmallow Whip Maker, which turns any cleanser into a fluffy, marshmallow-like foam that’s rich and creamy on the skin.*
 
Family

School’s out for summer

Kid-friendly activities in Lakeland

A mini golf sign is lit up in the darkening sky.
Mini golf, arcade games, and more await. | Photo via Family Fun Center
Looking to keep the kids entertained this summer? From major attractions like Bonnet Springs Park to hidden gems like Se7en Wetlands, there’s something in Swan City for children of all ages. Check out this list of 20 kid-friendly activities around the 863.

After-hours attractions

Family Fun Center, 4825 S. Florida Ave.
You can technically stop by any time of day, but what makes a core memory better than a twilight round of mini golf? Step inside for arcade games galore after you’ve putt-putted to your heart’s content.

Educational activities

Institute of Spanish Communication
Help your young one learn to speak Spanish as a second language in private or group lessons.

Sensory-friendly playgrounds

Common Ground Playground, 1000 E. Edgewood Dr.
Celebrated as the county’s “first inclusive play experience,” this park offers a variety of activities and structures for children of varying abilities.
A kid's perfect day in Lakeland
 
The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor
Is there a topic you’re itching to read about this summer? Maybe there’s a question you’ve always had about Lakeland history, maybe you’re wondering about the folks behind Lakeland Linder International Airport, or maybe you have a foodie roundup idea. Tell us what’s on your mind and we may consider it for our summer content.
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