Plus, holiday events this season
 
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77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

They see us rollin’

LALtoday sushi bracket
A green graphic reads "Lakeland Sushi Bracket"
Who will win this year’s bracket challenge? | Graphic via 6AM City
With the soft opening of Lakeland’s newest sushi place, Sushi Masa, happening Monday, Aug. 28, we’ve got rolls on the brain.

Earlier this year, our readers crowned Palace Pizza as Lakeland’s best pizza place. With thousands of votes, comments, and emails, it’s safe to say Lakeland is passionate about naming the best eateries. This time around, we’re asking you to share your favorite Swan City sushi.

We will host several voting rounds within our newsletters and social channels to determine Lakeland’s best sushi. Who moves on is up to you. Vote for your favorites, and the sushi place with more votes moves on. Simple as that. We’ll go until we have a champion. You will be able to vote once per round.

In order to get our initial lineup of eight contestants, we need your help. Not sure who to nominate? Check out this list of Lakeland’s sushi spots for inspiration. Nominate your favorite sushi restaurant with this survey and stay tuned to learn who you’ll be voting on. The survey will close on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Asked

Tell us your favorite sushi spot in Lakeland.
It's shrimp-ly the best
Grasslands West Investments LLC
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 25
  • Sarah Morey at Keel Farms | Friday, Aug. 25 | 4-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Enjoy dinner on the patio with live music and locally made beverages.
  • Bully for You & Tito’s Latin Cuisine | Friday, Aug. 25 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a bite from Tito’s from 5 to 9 p.m. and enjoy live music by Bully for You from 7 to 10 p.m.
  • Berry Pumpkins ~ Couples Set! | Friday, Aug. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $37-$49 | Bring a friend or a loved one to create matching paintings on canvas, wood plank boards, or shiplap pallets.
Saturday, Aug. 26
  • Mini-Market | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Unfiltered Lakeland, 801 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop from vendors and enjoy food, drinks, and live music.
  • Pop Punk Emo Night | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 9 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Rock out to DJ sets and live performances of original + cover songs.
Sunday, Aug. 27
  • Eclectic Soul Food Sunday Lunch Pop Up | Sunday, Aug. 27 | 1-4 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Pick up honey bourbon shrimp, crab cakes, and more soul food favorites from the Catapult pop-up window.
  • Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti” | Sunday, Aug. 27 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $34+ | Hear this best-selling album performed “note for note, cut for cut,” just like the original — parking is $10.
Monday, Aug. 28
  • Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, Aug. 28 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — just bring your own water, towel, and mat.
  • Auditions: “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” | Monday, Aug. 28 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your own sheet music to try out for the community production of this musical comedy.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Edu

Inside Lakeland Christian School’s new $19.1 million high school building
A rendering of the new LCS high school building
Students will benefit from the new high school building starting this school year. | Rendering provided by Lakeland Christian School
Lakeland Christian School just opened its new high school building, and it was worth the wait.

The three-story, 42,000-sqft building — named in honor of longtime educators Dr. Mike and Mary Sligh — was dedicated to the couple during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 11.

Dr. Sligh started his journey at LCS as a fourth grade student, and went on to serve at LCS for 51 years as a social studies and Bible teacher, athletic director, head boys basketball coach, principal, and Head of School before retiring in June 2023.

The $19.1 million Mike and Mary Sligh High School Building was funded through the Forging a Firm Foundation capital campaign and features:
  • 26 classrooms + two flex spaces
  • A Student Life Suite
  • A Guidance Suite
  • Upper School offices
  • A teacher’s workplace
  • The Mike Musick Sr. Science Wing, featuring state-of-the-art science labs and a memorial wall honoring the longtime science teacher and coach
See the building + tour the campus
News Notes
Edu
  • The search is on for Florida Polytechnic University’s next president, following current President Randy Avent’s retirement announcement in July. President Avent will step down in July 2024 — in the meantime, Vice Chairwoman Beth Kigel will lead the search. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Arts
  • Docent-led tours are returning to the Polk Museum of Art on Saturday, Sept. 2. Attend tours of exhibits like “Remembering Vilna: The Holocaust and the Art of Samuel Bak” and “Timeless Origins: The Art of Reynier Llanes” to learn more from the professionals. Attendance is free; registration is required.
Deal
  • National Cinema Day is Sunday, Aug. 27. Tickets at either of Lakeland’s large movie theaters — CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX or Cinemark Lakeland Square Mall XD — will be $4. Pro tip: If you visit the Lakeside Village theater, purchase $10 in food or drinks to receive a free ticket. (Fast Company)
Plan Ahead
  • A unique market experience is coming to Plant City on Saturday, Sept. 30. The interactive woodland experience will feature vendors, a stargazing tent, a wishing cauldron, festive music, and more. Visit the free and family-friendly event at Metals & Nature (1501 W. Highway 60) from 2-8 p.m. — costumes are encouraged.
Holiday
  • Cirque Dreams Holidaze is returning to the RP Funding Center for the 2023 holiday season on Nov. 18. Aerial circus acts, dancers, and more will bring classic holiday stories to life with festive music, costumes, and sets. Bring the whole family to a show — tickets are on sale now. (The Ledger)
Kids
  • Legoland Florida is preparing for its annual “Brick or Treat” event on select dates from Sept. 16 to Oct. 29. Attendees can expect a special menu, new entertainment, and Halloween decor. Learn more and purchase tickets. (Bay News 9)
Family
  • SeaWorld and Busch Gardens introduced a new “Weather-or-Not” Assurance policy, allowing guests to return to the park if rain, lightning, extreme heat, or other weather conditions cause ride closures for 60+ minutes. The fine print: The “makeup” visit must be within 12 months; guests will incur no additional charge. (WFLA)
Biz
  • Wondering how to hire interns? Or start a business? Or repurpose published content? See Catapult’s Small Business Resources — and get ahead of the game (or your startup dreams).*
Finance
  • Pro tip: Peek into finance experts’ wallets and you’ll see this card. Where to start with the perks? This card is one of the best with 0% intro APR for over a year, up to 5% cash back, and no annual fee. Learn more.*
 
Shoutout
Happy birthday, LALtoday member Tania Ruiz. We hope your special day (August 28) is filled with your favorite things in Lakeland! — LALtoday team
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The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
Have you voted for the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market in the 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration yet? We’re currently sitting at No. 3 in the state — just two spots away from that $100 prize.
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