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, Aug. 4

HGTV Host and Author John Gidding “Living with Nature” | Friday, Aug. 4 | 4-7 p.m. | Little Bus Books and The Nectary, 1047 E. Main St., Lakeland | $0-$35 | HGTV host John Gidding will hold an author talk and sign copies of his book “At Home with Nature.”
2023 Parent-Community Conference | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | Times vary | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Ave., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the importance of stakeholder involvement on a student’s education at this free conference.
First Friday: Back to School | Friday, Aug. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Prepare for another school year with this family-friendly event featuring a car show, food, and downtown shopping.
Swan City Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, Aug. 4 | 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, Aug. 5

Mind, Body, Movement: Family Fitness with Soccer Shots | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Bring the whole family to the Allen & Company Family Lawn for soccer activities for all age groups — space is limited; no equipment or prior experience is needed.
Keel and Curley 20 Year Celebration | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Celebrate 20 years of this local winery with a blueberry wine release, local artists and businesses, and more.
End of Summer: A Sorting Hat Celebration | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | $10 | Head to this end-of-summer event for a sorting hat ceremony, magic show, food trucks, and other magical activities fit for the wizarding world.
End-of-Summer Ice Cream Party | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 2-4 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Say goodbye to summer and hello to the new school year with games, crafts, activities, and free ice cream for all ages — dairy-free options are available upon request.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Meadows in the Mountains | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | We don’t have any mountains in Lakeland, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at some every day — paint your own at this class.
Side Hustle Sunday | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 9-10:30 p.m. | Sun Kava, 5711 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Dive into the vibrant world of entrepreneurship by getting business insights, investment tips, and networking with Lakeland’s emerging entrepreneurs.

100+ more events

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From the editor

Edu

Are you a local educator, or do you know one? We’re putting together a teacher gift guide ahead of the new school year, and we need your help. Answer our survey (including a space to drop your Amazon wish list) or send it to a teacher in your life.

Eat

Beat the heat with a cup, waffle cone, Italian ice, or even a cotton candy ice cream burrito from a local ice cream parlor this weekend. New additions to the list include Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Lakeland Ice Cream Company’s new location, and Mimi’s Italian Ice.

Travel

Take advantage of the last few days before PCPS students go back to school with a beach trip. Spend more time in the sand by traveling to one of these beaches within three hours of Lakeland.

Great Escapes

Our guide to Philadelphia, PA

Great Escapes: Our Guide to Philadelphia, PA

All_MKTs_Great_Escapes_Philadelphia_PA_Phillie_Phanatic

Picture this: You, on vacation, high-fiving the Phillie Phanatic. | Photo by Sarah Leonhardt

Cuisine, nature, museums, cobblestone streets — not only does Philadelphia have all of the best getaway attractions, but the city will surprise + delight you, since what they say about it is only half-true. Incredible local delicacies? Holy cheesesteak yes. Mean sports fans? That’s part of the fun.

Why go? Drink in all the US history you could want by checking out the crack in the Liberty Bell or visiting Independence Hall, where the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed.
Act like a local: Must-try local specialties include water ice, cheesesteaks, and if you’re really trying to act like a local, a late-night Wawa run. Bonus: Splurge on the most upscale cheesesteak known to man with Barclay Prime’s $140 Wagyu ribeye cheesesteak.
Where to stay: Center City/Rittenhouse Square apartment with a walk score of 100 (~$350/night)

See the full Philly guide

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

Drink

Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof’s award-winning non-alcoholic spirits. Bonus: Get free shipping on two or more bottles.

Travel

Never overpay for flights again when you sign up for a free Going account. You’ll get emails when flights are amazingly cheap — like a $155 roundtrip to Hawaii.

Seasonal

Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.

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

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