• Lakeland Flying Tigers 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular | 5-9 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Baseball game, live entertainment, and a DJ
• Plant City Fireworks + 4th of July Celebration | 6-9:30 p.m. | Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Rd., Plant City | Inflatables, food vendors — cash-only event
• City of Bartow Fourth of July | 5-9 p.m. | Mosaic Park, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | Multi-band concert, family activities, food trucks
• Thunder on the Ridge | 3-10 p.m. | Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City | Children’s activities, food + beer, live entertainment — no pets allowed
• Davenport 4th of July Celebration | 3-9:45 p.m. | Lewis Mathews Sports Complex, 400 E. Palm St., Davenport | Craft vendors, food, live entertainment

• In years past, the Lakeland Fire Department has recommended other methods of entertainment during holidays, such as glow sticks, balloons, or arts and crafts.
• Other ideas include silly string, confetti cannons, or do-it-yourself laser light shows.

• Happy 4th of July | Tuesday, July 4 | 12-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Join a fun run at 5:30, sing karaoke at 6:30, grab a bite from Top Dog Concessions, and enjoy drink discounts.

• WOD and Wine | Wednesday, July 5 | 7-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $15 | Complete a CrossFit workout of the day, then relax with a glass of locally made wine, beer, or cider.

• Night Market | Thursday, July 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free entry | Shop from local vendors and pour your own draft beers in the taproom.

• First Friday: Bike Night | Friday, July 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate the start of a new month by browsing a motorcycle show, shopping from downtown vendors, and enjoying entertainment.

• 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.

Virgin all day margarita

• 2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Lime slice

• Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 247 years, since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Expect closures at city offices and a shift in trash pickup days.

• The city will convert five more downtown intersections into four-way stops on Friday, July 21. Flashing lights and stop signs will be added at the intersections of Orange Street with Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri avenues, plus the intersections of Lime Street with Tennessee and Kentucky avenues.

• $9.2 million. That’s how much funding Polk County has allocated for the second year of United Way of Central Florida’s (UWCF) Community Wellness Initiative. UWCF is requesting proposals from nonprofits looking to provide behavioral health, prevention, and early intervention. Learn more.

• We’re writing a guide to Lakeland’s best spots for date night. Here’s where you come in: Tell us your go-to date night spot — it doesn’t have to be a restaurant, either. Maybe you have a favorite hiking trail, gym, or bowling alley. Watch our reel for a $50 date night.

• ICYMI, Brightline completed construction on its new train station, located adjacent to Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C. While we still await the official grand opening date, Floridians can now book tickets for their travel-by-rail trips to South Florida for Sept. 1 onwards.*

• Impress your guests with the help of Publix’s Summer Picnic Dishes hands-on cooking class, happening Thursday, July 20. On the menu: grilled fingerling potato salad, salted butterscotch banana pudding, and more. See details + register.*

• Don’t let the unexpected hold you back from splashing in the pool with the kids or grabbing dinner with friends. Lakeland Regional Health’s two convenient Urgent Care locations (no appointments needed) mean you can get back to your routine instead of being stuck inside with allergies, scrapes, colds, and sprains.*