07.05.2023

🍊 Pulp (non)fiction

Your roadmap to the Polk County Citrus Label Tour

This label is aptly found at Florida Southern College, home of the Moccasins. | Photo by LALtoday

It’s finally Drink Up Month, LALtoday’s celebration of local beverages and the people who make them. We’re kicking it off with a look back at one of Central Florida’s most iconic industries.

In the early 1900s, one of Polk County’s main goals was to make fruit look as ap-peel-ing as possible. Our little agricultural county was beginning its blossom into a total epicenter of citrus — an industry now worth billions. Although we know our oranges speak for themselves, the boxes that carried them needed a little extra pizzazz.

A sign showing the Polk O Dot citrus label, featuring a drawing of a young girl eating a grapefruit. — Find the “Polk ‘O’ Dot” Citrus Label at the Polk County History Center in Bartow.
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Photo by @visitcentralfl

Lithographers and publishers worked with artists to create labels that told the story of both citrus and the Florida way of life. These whimsical labels adorned wooden crates that would ship from growers, catching the eye of buyers and curious out-of-towners. They often showcased themes like plant life, adventure, historical sites, and animals.

After a 60-year run, the citrus crate labels started to run out of pulp, so to speak. Shortages of wood and metal at the end of World War II brought about the invention of cardboard boxes with pre-printed brand names.

A map showing the locations of the Polk County Citrus Label Tour marked with orange icons — Map out your route and find the labels all over Polk County.
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Map by Proxi

Although these labels are mostly a thing of the past, you can take a self-guided driving tour of vintage labels on 23 buildings and sites in Polk County. Here are three sites where you can find labels in Lakeland:

Tigertown Complex, 2220 N. Lake Ave.
Florida Southern College, at the corner of Frank Lloyd Wright Way & Johnson Avenue
Florida Air Museum, at the corner of James C. Ray Drive and Tom Mack Drive

Ready to continue your tour? Here’s your map of all the labels to be found across Polk County.

Events

Wednesday, July 5

Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, July 5 | 5-10 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Boot scoot boogie on down to Union Hall for free line dancing lessons followed by karaoke at 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 6

Music Bingo at Keel Farms | Thursday, July 6 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Price of purchase | Listen for the songs on your game card to be the first to five in a row — dining reservations required.

Friday, July 7

Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, July 7 | 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along at these improvised comedy shows — all ages are welcome to the 7:30 p.m. show and the 9:30 p.m. show is 21+.

Saturday, July 8

28th Summer Sunrise Watermelon 5K | Saturday, July 8 | 7 a.m.-9 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $20 | Join the second in this series of summer 5K races that benefit scholarships for local students.

Sunday, July 9

Andy Shreeve w/ Billy’s Roadside Grill | Sunday, July 9 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Hang out with live music, food truck eats, and a drink from the taproom.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

The National Hurricane Center is not expecting any tropical cyclones to form this week, but forecasters do say conditions could change throughout early July. Pro tip: Bookmark our list of rainy day activities for stormy days ahead. (The Ledger)

Real Estate

A Winter Haven home built by Frank Lloyd Wright’s student Francis R. Hoffman could be yours for $1.8 million. The 1962 house with two kitchens, a wine cellar, and midcentury modern design just hit the market — see inside. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Kids

Give the little ones a night on the town at Little Lake’s Kids Night Out event on Friday, July 14. Tickets are now available for a Shark Week-themed night of crafts, snacks, and movies.

Seasonal

Let’s do the Time Warp again, because auditions for FrediDANCE’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience are coming up. Head to Ultimate Dance Center (2980 Lakeland Highlands Rd.) on Saturday, July 8 at 5 p.m. or Sunday, July 9 at 2 p.m. to try out for this interactive show.

Try This

The next Aquarian Market at the Yard on Mass will feature a guided art class hosted by Painting with a Twist. Sign up to paint a moonlit beach scene during the vegan night market on Thursday, July 20 from 6-10 p.m.

Show

Are you ready to have the time of your life? The “Dirty Dancing in Concert” tour — featuring singers, a band, and movie clips — is coming to the RP Funding Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Tickets start at $45.

Fun Fact

DYK that changing your AC air filter regularly has big time benefits? Four to be exact — clean air filters improve air quality in your home, are more energy efficient, extend the life of your AC system, and help alleviate seasonal allergies. Upgrade your indoor air quality with the pros at Payne Air.*

Biz

Elevate your next presentation by hosting it in one of Catapult’s six stunning meeting rooms. From views overlooking Lake Mirror and downtown Lakeland to a huge living plant wall, Catapult’s professional spaces will give you an edge. Make a reservation.*

Outdoors

🛝 Letting it slide

Head outside with a guide to Lakeland’s parks

A photo of a fire station-themed playground with a toddler going down a slide and his mother assisting him.

Take your kids to Common Ground Playground from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Photo courtesy of @repservicesfl

Did you know that July is National Park and Recreation Month? Lakeland features more than 70 parks and recreational spots for you to celebrate — here are some of Lakeland’s best:

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 that are disability-friendly and fun for everyone.

Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd.
This 180-acre park has nearly two miles of boardwalks and 30+ acres of wetlands. It also features an exhibition gallery and a roof garden terrace.

Woodlake Park, 3415 New Jersey Rd.
Bring your friends out for a game of pickleball or practice your Serena Williams serve at this park’s public tennis courts.

15 more parks to explore

Shop

Shop

It’s grilling season, and we want to make sure you are set for the summer. Elevate your grilling experience with flavors by Spicewalla.

Drink

On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.

Travel

Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).

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.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Anyone else having a crazy week so far? After a busy holiday, it’s nice to take a moment to take care of your mental health. The parks listed above are great places to slow down.

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