Plus, locally made Sangria Night.
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Today’s Note

What’s up, Lakeland? City Editor Connor here. For all those who can’t wait for the Halloween season, you’re in luck. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail will officially open for the season this weekend. Keep reading for details on this eerie event, plus markets, a 5K, and a new play.
 
Events
 
Friday, Sept. 15
  • Ektor Keys & Tito’s Latin Cuisine | Friday, Sept. 15 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Kick off the weekend with live music and food truck eats.
  • Sangria Night at Keel Farms | Friday, Sept. 15 | 5-10 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | It’s all about sangria at this event — visit for Latin music, food, and drinks.
Saturday, Sept. 16
  • Mind, Body, Movement: Zumba | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a Zumba fitness class on the Allen & Company Family Lawn.
  • Hispanic Heritage Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Lake Gwyn Park, 135 Ave. A E., Winter Haven | Free entry | Polk County Parks & Recreation hosts this family-friendly festival with live entertainment, art, and music.
  • Matthew Lowry Album Release Show | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $20-$25 | Matthew Lowry & The Flamingo County Players will play newly released music — doors open at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17
  • F.I.R. Expo - Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show | Saturday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 17 | Times vary | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $6-$15 | Snakes, chameleons, and geckos, oh my — see them all at this expo with $10 parking.
  • Shoreline Sunday | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Relax with acoustic tunes by John Frinzi and grab lunch from Mi Pizza PIU.
Plan Ahead
  • Fall Family Day | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | All ages are invited to the museum’s open house for fall-themed games, magic shows, a scavenger hunt, and activities.
  • K9s for Cops — Evening with the Stars 2023 | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 6 p.m. | Lone Palm Country Club, 800 Lone Palm Dr., Lakeland | $75 | Tickets to this gala help to purchase dogs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Unit.
  • 2023 Annual Hispanic Festival of Lakeland | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 1-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Celebrate Hispanic heritage with music and dancing on the Frances Langford Promenade.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
From the editor
 
Seasonal
  • The official start of autumn is right around the corner on Saturday, Sept. 23. We’re looking ahead to see when cooler temperatures will start rolling in with our seasonal weather outlook. Spoiler alert: It’ll be a while before it really feels like fall.
Edu
  • Esports are taking over Lakeland, from young gamers to the collegiate level. Florida Polytechnic University’s teams are even gaining national recognition for their high ranks and undefeated seasons. Members from Florida Poly will be on the board of the City’s new esports program for youth. (LkldNow)
Real Estate
  • Looking for a new pad? Try the downtown Sommer Building, on sale for $4.15 million. The four-story building (230 N. Kentucky Ave.) is home to retail shops on the ground floor, topped with event space and a residential floor. Our Instagram followers are already planning to move in.
 
Great Escapes
 
Our guide to Half Moon Bay, CA
Sunset at Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay, CA.
Half Moon Bay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area. | Photo by Carol Erdie Photography
Whether for a beach day, a waterfront lunch, visit to the pumpkin patch, or a walk along the Coastside trail, Half Moon Bay’s small town charm makes for a great destination year-round.
 
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.*
 
 
Games
 
What’s your Lakeland name?
A graphic showing two columns. The first reads "Your birth month" and the second reads "Last digit of your phone number." The columns include months and numbers assigned to different words.

What’s your new Lakeland name?

|

Graphic by 6AM City

Everybody loves a good nickname, just look at “Swan City.” If you’ve been looking to change up your moniker, try our handy Lakeland name creator. Simply find your birth month and the last digit of your phone number and add them together to see what you get.

City Editor Connor will now be known as Circle B Munn, and you can refer to City Editor Rilee as Publix Linder. We want to hear yours — reply to this email to introduce yourself.
 
Shop
 
Tech
Trending
  • The internet’s favorite tumbler — the 40-oz. Stanley Quencher — is back in stock in cute colors like pool, jade, and orchid.
Drink
 
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The Wrap
 
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