10.19.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

🎈 Put on your party hats

Celebrate Bonnet Springs Park’s birthday with a bang

Fireworks over a concert stage at Bonnet Springs Park

Fireworks will light up the sky over Bonnet Springs Park at the Birthday Bash. | Photo by LALtoday

Does anybody have a really big birthday cake? Bonnet Springs Park is marking its first year with a Birthday Bash on Saturday, Oct. 21. We’re looking back on our favorite memories from year one and sharing what you can expect this weekend.

A collage of two photos showing Rilee on an exercise machine and Connor petting a snake — These city editors had a blast at the park’s opening.
|
Photos by LALtoday

The first year

Bonnet Springs Park opened on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, and over 43,000 people came for a first glimpse of its sprawling 168 acres. Who can forget watching acts like The Band Perry, or taking that first walk around the Blanton Family Lagoon?

The fun didn’t stop there. Florida Children’s Museum opened its doors a few weeks later, offering kids a hands-on learning environment. It’s also home to the Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center.

In May 2023, just over six months after opening, the park welcomed visitor No. 1,000,000. It’s hosted events like Buena Market, dog parades, and monthly trivia nights.

A concert taking place at Bonnet Springs Park, seen from the rooftop bar — The Rooftop Bar is a great place to watch the action or catch the sunset.
|
Photo by LALtoday

Birthday Bash

Head to the free party on Saturday to party from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There’s limited parking inside the park and overflow parking will be available outside. Pro tip: Save the map + schedule before you go.

The fun starts on the Party Pathway. Pet animals, ride ponies, and see strolling performers until 2 p.m. Florida Children’s Museum will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bring a chair or blanket, because at 12 p.m., it’s time to lounge on the lawn. Food trucks will supply the grub while you listen to live music, and headliner Viva Gaia will take the stage at 6 p.m.

End the bash with a bang. Watch “Jumanji” on the big screen at 7:15 p.m., then stick around for fireworks to celebrate how far Bonnet Springs Park has come.

Events

Thursday, Oct. 19

Jukebox Bingo & The Aquarian Market | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 6-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Listen for the songs on your Bingo card while enjoying vegan eats at The Aquarian Market.
Trivia Thursdays at The Back Nine! | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.

Friday, Oct. 20

Exploration Station | Friday, Oct. 20 | 2-4 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Visit the Nature Center Classroom to explore butterfly life cycles with sensory-friendly activities.
Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Oct. 20-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.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Guided Hiking Tour through Se7en Wetlands | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8-10 a.m. | Se7en Wetlands, 300 W. Carter Rd., Mulberry | Free | Bring your sense of adventure to this guided 2.9-mile hike — spots are limited.
Mr. Central Florida: The Speakeasy | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park Event Center, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $125 | Wear your 1920s finest to this dinner and auction to raise funds for Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Coming Soon

Meet the Shops at Lake Wire: Lakeland’s newest retail experience

Renderings of The Shops at Lake Wire in Lakeland, FL.

Shops at Lakewire will be the first major local development following the newly revamped Bonnet Springs Park. | Renderings by Carter USA

In case you haven’t heard the buzz, Lakeland’s newest retail experience, the Shops at Lake Wire, is set to open this spring. Pre-leasing has already begun for the 15,220 sqft of retail + restaurant space.

Located adjacent to the new 300-unit Prospect Lake Wire apartments — and a stone’s throw from Bonnet Springs Park — the Shops at Lake Wire will bring new and unique retail concepts to Lakeland’s Downtown West corridor.

Interested in leasing? Contact Natalie Imig with Century Retail.

Discover the Shops at Lake Wire

News Notes

Holiday

City officials have shared plans to minimize the Lakeland Christmas Parade’s impact on swans. Barricades will be installed around the lake shores to keep parade guests on the other side of the road, and swans will likely stay within Lake Morton. (WTSP)

Civic

Lakelander Judi New is the fourth candidate who has filed to run for the Polk County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat, which covers Lakeland. See all current candidates for open seats in next year’s general election. (The Ledger)

Number

$300,000. That’s how much it could cost for 10 radio repeaters in Lakeland Fire Department vehicles. The Lakeland Professional Firefighters union sought city approval to request state funding for the repeaters, but the request was turned down in favor of adding radio signal boosters to buildings. (Fox 13 News)

Sports

It’s a-boat time for the 85th Orange Cup Regatta to begin. Head to Lake Hollingsworth on Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to watch powerboat races and water ski performances. (The Ledger)

Legacy

Andy Bean, an 11-time PGA Tour winner and Lakeland High School alumni, died on Saturday at 70 years old. Bean is remembered for raising over $2 million for The First Tee of Lakeland program through the Barkley, Bean, Bryant, and Friends celebrity golf event. (The Ledger)

Biz

You’ll soon be able to order a glass of Swan Brewing beer from restaurants and bars around Polk County. The brewery has tapped Bernie Little Distributors for a local distribution project. Tag your favorite watering hole in the comments of this post to potentially get Swan Brewing on tap.

Development

Construction is coming along at Bowen Yard, downtown Winter Haven’s upcoming food and event venue. Development company Six/Ten shared progress photos of the space, which will include six dining options and outdoor seating.

Eat

The Terrace Grille is getting in the holiday spirit. This month, you can join Halloween-themed brunches on Oct. 28 and 29, or wear a costume on Oct. 31 for a chance to win a freebie. Plan ahead for seasonal meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.

Try This

Ever wondered what it’s like to “Fuel the Fire” at SEU? We attended a Preview Day to see what prospective students + families experience when they tour the university, see classes, and explore financial aid options. See how the day went (and register for a special Homecoming Weekend Preview Day on Oct. 27).*

Drink

Love whiskey? Join Vinovest’s exclusive whiskey investing community and own your own casks hassle-free. Sell casks for a profit, or opt to bottle them to drink.*

Eat

Make lunch a perfect 10

Where to find lunch for $12 or less around Lakeland

Two baskets of tacos with green salsa and lime on the side

Order your tacos just how you like them at Mr. Pollo. | Photo by @eatalldafoodz

Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? Check out these 25 places where lunch for one costs $10 or less.

Dena’s Place Diner & Grill, 4525 S. Florida Ave.
Reader Karla G. recommends this spot with a rotating menu of specials less than $10.

Garden Bistro, 702 E. Orange St.
Enjoy lunch and a view of Lake Mirror with meals named after lakes, like the Magnolia Mirror Sandwich.

Mister Fish, 715 E. Palmetto St.
This local favorite has been serving seafood on the shores of Lake Morton since 1968. Carry out a fresh fish basket or sandwich.

Subs ‘n Such, 1008 S. Florida Ave.
After 45+ years in business, this sub spot has cold, hot, and specialty sandwiches down to a science.

21 more meals

Share LALtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Bonnet Springs Park has teased that something from the grand opening will become a permanent feature. What do you think it is? I’m hoping for more art installations like this one.

A blue and green art installation with palm fronds surrounding a bench — Photo by LALtoday

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY