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.

Events

Friday, June 23

Juneteenth Talent Competition & Art Contest | Friday, June 23 | 6 p.m. | Polk State College Lakeland Campus, 3425 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Cheer on high school performers as they compete for prizes and browse works by local artists.
87th Annual Miss Florida Scholarship Competition | Friday, June 23-Saturday, June 24 | Times vary | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $64 | Attend the Miss Florida Preliminaries to see which young women will compete for scholarship assistance at the Miss Florida Finals.
Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” | Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Just keep swimming to this musical adaptation of the Pixar movie performed by local young actors.

Saturday, June 24

Cars + Coffee | Saturday, June 24 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a cup of joe and show off your ride or browse other cars.
Watermelon Weekend | Saturday, June 24-Sunday, June 25 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry| Celebrate the watermelon harvest with water slides, watermelon eating contests, vendors, live music, and the release of watermelon wine, lager, and cider.
Juneteenth Corvette Car Show | Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Head to Lake Mirror to peruse Corvettes, enter raffles, and eat food from local vendors.
Rock for Paws - Back to the 80s Night! | Saturday, June 24 | 7-10 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park Event Center, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $20 | Support homeless dogs and cats at this 1980s-themed event featuring live music by Smokepoint, food trucks, a bar, and dancing.
The Eras Party: Taylor Night | Saturday, June 24 | 9-11 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $7 | Come out for a Taylor-made dance party, Swift-inspired cocktails, and a night you’ll remember all too well.

Sunday, June 25

Lakeland Women’s Day | Sunday, June 25 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy free pampering, shop, and learn about local businesses and resources focused on educating and empowering women.
Jelly from the Block | Sunday, June 25 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $41 | Don’t be fooled by the paint on your smock, step-by-step instructions make it easy to paint this underwater jellyfish.

Even more events

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From the editor

Open

4 Rivers Smokehouse is now open at 4729 S. Florida Ave. Get a glimpse inside the restaurant and see what we ordered. We loved the juicy brisket, vegan burnt ends, and all of the freshly made desserts.

Number

$116.5 billion. That’s the state budget, which was just signed last week. Several Lakeland education, development, and healthcare projects were included in the budget — see what made the cut.

Plan Ahead

Summer fun has begun, and we rounded up 30+ local events you don’t want to miss this season. Whether you’re looking to get active, spend time with family, or celebrate the holidays, we’ve got the top events lined up.

Great Escapes

Our guide to Bellingham, WA

Great Escapes: Our guide to Bellingham, WA

Bellingham’s Boulevard Park is simply a stunner. | Photo by @enjoyfairhaven

Check out Bellingham, WA, a quaint, coastal city with two lively city centers and a mountain range less than two hours away. The little town feels like it’s just waiting to be featured in a Wes Anderson film with its seaside board walks, forested bike paths, quaint gift shops, and tucked away restaurants.

Why go? Bellingham showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest’s beauty without the hassle of a major metropolitan scene. Enjoy fresh seafood, island cruises, and quiet walks without the stress of big city traffic.
Act like a local: It’s not a complete trip to the upper PNW without a boat ride over to the San Juan Islands. These cruises can take you whale watching or on a day trip to Friday Harbor where “Practical Magic” was filmed.
Where to stay: Cozy Micro-Brewery Home, Sample some tasty beers made right on the property (~$110 per night)

More Bellingham recs

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.*

Shop

The Buy

Looking to relieve muscle soreness without dropping $150+ a month on a deep tissue massage? Enter: The RENPHO massage gun. It has 23,000+ five-star reviews and is on sale for a limited time.*

Kids

Two words: Free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.*

Outdoors

The perfect waterproof Bluetooth speaker does exist and it’s the JBL Flip 5. Bonus: It offers up to 12 hours of play + comes with a hardshell case.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
LALtoday Team

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