Experience

Farms and frights

Fall fun for all

Autumnal arts

• Jukebox Bingo & The Aquarian Market | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland | Free entry | Visit Lakeland’s vegan market for food trucks, local artists, and more.
• Florida Talks — Outpost to Statehood: The Florida Territory | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Heritage Park, 8950 N. Campbell Rd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about Florida history as told by historic maps.

• Alzheimer’s Association: Creating Moments That Matter | Friday, Sept. 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn how to create moments that matter along with other caregivers at this event featuring author and speaker Jolene Brackey.
• Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12-$15 | Explore a corn maze and pumpkin patch, or take a hayride through this fall farm.

• Lakeland Drive Electric Day | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Check out electric vehicles and learn about making the switch to electric driving.
• Flowers for Florida | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, 1702 S. Holland Pkwy., Bartow | $5 | Learn tips and tricks for planting native flowers in your garden and create a floral arrangement to take home.

• $2.5 billion. That’s the 2023/2024 budget approved by Polk County commissioners — the highest on record. Key items in the budget include $476 million allocated for major infrastructure improvements and a 3% millage rate reduction for homeowners.

• Construction on a $2.2 million roundabout between Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lemon Street, Sloan Avenue, and West Main Street will begin this fall. The city is also seeking public opinion on three options for updates to the Sloan Avenue bridge to connect Downtown West to Bonnet Springs Park. (LkldNow)

• The Swan Roundup is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 a.m. During this annual event, swans are corralled on Lake Morton for health checkups from My Pet’s Animal Hospital. Flock to our Instagram for videos of last year’s roundup.

• Community groups like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County and Lakeland Vision are working to reduce violence among at-risk kids. The former aims to open a 10th location for after school programs; the latter is developing Bike Buddies to connect families with law enforcement through bike building. (WFTS + LkldNow)

• Lakeland’s newest public library branch is now open at the Kelly Recreation Complex (404 Imperial Blvd.). See the new space and bring your library card to borrow books, use printing services, and check out Chromebooks.

• Peace River Center will celebrate the opening of its Children’s Resiliency Campus with a ribbon cutting today at 2 p.m. The facility at 1664 Williamsburg Sq. will offer care for children and teens experiencing behavioral health challenges.

• Creek Ranch, a 1,876-home development, is heading for Poinciana after a 3-1 vote by county commissioners. After hearing comments from residents, the developers shared plans to preserve 50% of the area for wetlands and permanently protect a 1.25-mile wildlife corridor.

• Lakeland-based Omicron Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held a voter registration drive this week. By setting up in Second to None Barbershop, the sorority aimed to register Black male voters, who made up just 4% of voters in Polk’s last general election. (WFTS)

• Rath Senior ConNEXTions Center will host its next series of six-week courses Monday, Oct. 9-Friday, Nov. 17 at College Heights United Methodist Church (934 South Blvd.). Register now for courses on genealogy, Spanish, computers, and Broadway.

• Starting tonight, Lugo’s Craft Distillery will offer a special Ladies Night cocktail menu on Thursdays. Visit the lounge at 2500 Drane Field Rd., Ste. 208 for $10 drinks. Pro tip: The fall cocktail menu is now available.

• Looks like we were overdue for our checkup. Some of the information we recently shared about Lakeland Regional Health’s upcoming developments needed updating — check out our article for the latest information. You’ll find a new rendering, a state-of-the-art location, and increased access to care.