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 30

2023 Wawa Summer Fun Day | Friday, June 30 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | Free | Visit the gardens with complimentary admission from Wawa — online registration is required.
Free Fitness Class for Seniors | Friday, June 30 | 9-10 a.m. | MaxHealth Primary Care, 2382 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Free | All fitness levels are welcome at this free weekly fitness class for older adults — register online.
Island View Set and Fused Permanent Jewelry Popup | Friday, June 30 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Fused Permanent Jewelry is popping up at this guided class — when you’ve completed your island artwork, peruse jewelry options and buy one for yourself.

Saturday, July 1

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, July 1 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Yoga in the Vines | Saturday, July 1 | 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.
Birding on the Boardwalk | Saturday, July 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Families can take a guided 1-mile walk around the Blanton Family Lagoon to explore the park’s natural plants and animals — binoculars and birding guides are provided.

Sunday, July 2

Sunset Stroll | Sunday, July 2 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Put brush to canvas at this guided painting class — bring your own refreshments, supplies are provided.
Frankie Raye Duo at Keel Farms | Sunday, July 2 | 12:30-4:30 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Listen to the musical stylings of Frankie Raye while enjoying locally made beer, wine, and cider.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

From the editor

Holiday

Looking for your July 4 plans? From local celebrations like Red, White & Kaboom and the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular to nearby affairs like Rockin’ Freedom Fest and Thunder on the Ridge, Polk County has plenty in store. Check out our list of firework displays in + around Lakeland.

Award

Obscure Wine Company in Winter Haven won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Keep your eyes peeled for Wine Spectator’s August issue to see the winery’s feature. The magazine listed Obscure Wine Company’s strengths as France, California, and Italy — it has 400 selections.

Seasonal

Summer may have just officially begun, but the team at Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail has Halloween on the brain. “The Witching Season” will kick off the attraction’s 10th year. If that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, a new haunted hayride attraction is in the works.

Great Escapes

Our Guide to Duck, NC

Great Escapes: Our Guide to Duck, NC

A colorful sunset featuring orange yellow blue and purple

Sip some wine + watch the sun go down at the Waterfront Shops in Duck, NC. | Photo by LEXtoday

Duck, NC started off as a sleepy little beach town with small beach box houses. Since then, it has grown into a family vacation must-see.

Why go? Duck is a water lover’s dream. Since it’s a part of a chain of islands off the coast of North Carolina — you have the ocean on one side + the sound of the city on the other.
Act like a local: Head north to Corolla to see wild horses or climb the historic Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Duck is just a ~20-minute drive from some fun + historical sites — like The Wright Brothers’ Memorial and Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Where to stay: Oceanfront Condo, a boardwalk’s distance from the beach (~$186/night)

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

Outdoors

The perfect outdoor string lights do exist, and they’ve got a secret weapon: solar power. Light up your yard with a 50-ft strand.*

Drink

A crushable summer beverage that won’t leave you with a hangover the next day? Try Ritual Zero Proof’s All Day Margarita made with alcohol-free tequila.*

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.

Let us know what you think about LALweekend, a product of LALtoday, by answering a few quick questions.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
LALtoday Team

Have you ever read our Events section and felt like something was missing? It might be your event. You can submit your own event to our community calendar — just follow these instructions. Thanks in advance for the invitation.

Missed our previous newsletter?

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