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• Summer Movie FunFest: “Mummies” | Thursday, July 27 | 10 a.m. | CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX, 1650 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | $1.99 | See a new discounted family movie every week — tickets are only available at the box office.
• Trivia Thursdays! | Thursday, July 27 | 7:30-10 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Join for food and drinks and play themed or general trivia to win prizes.

• All Together Fridays: Meet the Lakeland Symphony | Friday, July 28 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Children ages 2-13 can meet members of the Lakeland Symphony and enjoy crafts and activities.
• BSP Power Packs | Friday, July 28 | 4-6 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Kids and teens can pick up free grab-and-go snacks at the park’s main entrance.

• Harry Potter’s Birthday Celebration | Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Join this magical event celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday with activity stations, games, character meets, and train rides.*
• Alzheimer’s Association’s Brain Bus Stop | Saturday, July 29 | 12-3 p.m. | Historic LB Brown House, 470 South L.B. Brown Ave., Bartow | Free | Visit the Brain Bus to learn about Alzheimer’s prevention, brain health, and risk reduction.

• 3%. That’s how much the Polk property tax rate will decrease in the next fiscal year following a County Commission vote. Commissioners also voted to approve a contract with the county firefighters union — members can now expect raises of 12-32%. (The Ledger)

• The Polk County Commission has approved two new trash pickup contracts, costing $39.2 million total for the first year. The contracted companies will begin service on Oct. 1, 2024; garbage bills may increase for residents. (WFTS)

• Lakeland Ice Cream Company has opened its second location at 2972 Lakeland Highlands Rd. (in the Winn-Dixie plaza). On the menu: Over 80 ice cream flavors, housemade waffle cones, and floats from the soda bar.

• The Polk Museum of Art’s next exhibit will feature nearly 30 works by painter and Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak. “Remembering Vilna: The Holocaust and the Art of Samuel Bak” will open Saturday, July 29. Join an expert-led tour on Friday, Aug. 11.

• Authors, architects, and historians will take the stage at Florida Southern College’s next Florida Lecture Series. This free series will run from September to March, and the public is invited to learn about topics ranging from French colonization to the history of the Cuban sandwich.

• Southeastern University’s baseball team is celebrating a successful season. The team won 58 out of 64 games and won a Sun Conference title before coming in second place at the Avista NAIA World Series. Read more of their season stats.

• Beat the nationwide giving slump by rounding up your online Walmart purchases to support a local nonprofit. Organizations available now include Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Talbot House Ministries, the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, and more.

• If you love the eclectic design of Unfiltered’s coffee shops, this sale is for you. The biz has listed decor, kitchenware, and fashions for sale on its Facebook page — click here to shop.

• 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.*