Today’s Forecast

83º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 6:54 p.m.

Seven swans a-swimming

Your questions about the 2023 Lakeland Christmas Parade, answered

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from atop a parade float.

Wave hello to Santa at this year’s parade. | Photo provided by Tom Hicks

Typically, when one imagines the Lakeland Christmas Parade, things like Santa Claus, candy, and Lake Mirror come to mind. This year’s festivities are bringing another, albeit unlikely, Lakeland icon to the forefront of our imaginations: The swans.

That’s because, as you might know, the “Christmas in Candyland” parade is taking a different route around Lake Morton, rather than Lake Mirror, to avoid construction on Orange Street and Lake Avenue.

We asked our readers to send in their questions; here’s what you should know about the parade on Thursday, Dec. 7:

A graphic via the City of Lakeland shows this year's parade route. — Use this map to pick your perfect parade-viewing spot.
|
Map provided via City of Lakeland and Junior League of Greater Lakeland

Q: What is the biggest concern for the swans?
A: Trash. While some expressed concerns about noise and pollution, veterinarians are primarily concerned about plastic and beads getting into the water.

Q: How does the city plan to minimize the parade’s impact on the swans?
A: Immediately following the parade, the city will dispatch cleaning crews first to the area surrounding the lake, and then to the rest of the route. The city is also placing barriers along the lake’s shores, limiting spectators to the sidewalk side.

Q: When can I place my chairs on the route?
A: As always, you can place your chairs on the day of the parade — no sooner. Place it mindfully, because the city will remove any chairs blocking sidewalks, handicap parking spaces, or crosswalks.

Q: What can I do to minimize my impact on wildlife during the parade?
A: Make sure any trash you produce gets securely into a trash can, refrain from throwing beads, and stay on the approved side of the lake if you plan to sit on that part of the route. Reminder: Never feed the swans.

Q: Is the route likely to change?
A: At this time, according to the City of Lakeland’s Communications Director Kevin Cook, the route is set.

Have another question? Send it our way.

Asked

Where do you plan on sitting during this year’s parade?

A. My usual spot — it’s not impacted by the route change.
B. Along Lake Morton — I’m ready for a new view.
C. Somewhere new — I’ll find a spot along the route that isn’t on Lake Morton.

Pray tell your parade plans

Events

Friday, Oct. 20

Miss Meaty Okra & Mary Jane’s Burgers | Friday, Oct. 20 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Miss Meaty Okra will take the stage from 7 to 10 p.m. while Mary Jane’s food truck serves dinner.
Sips, Salsa & Succulents | Friday, Oct. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $60 | Tickets to this event include a succulent garden workshop and dinner from a taco bar.
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail | Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, 2837 S. Frontage Rd., Plant City | $27-$57 | Celebrate this attraction’s 10th season with three outdoor haunted trails, a new haunted hayride, escape games, and axe throwing.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Jeepin’ for a Cure | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Thunder Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1425 W. Main St., Bartow | Free entry | Support the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida at this event featuring live music, food trucks, raffles, and a dress your Jeep in pink parade.
Orange Cup Regatta | Saturday, Oct. 21-Sunday, Oct. 22 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Bring the whole family, folding chairs, and lawn blankets to the shores of the lake for these annual speed boat races, which resume at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Fall Harvest Days At Keel Farms | Saturday, Oct. 21-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Find fall fun at the farm — hay rides, a corn maze, camel rides, and special drink releases are on the agenda.

Sunday, Oct. 22

Magical Midnight | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Let your creative juices flow and paint this moonlit castle with friends and refreshments.
Bach Festival of Central Florida | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 3-4:30 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | This festival will feature compositions by Bach, Handel, and others — a free-will offering will be taken to support the festival.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

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Our advertising packages will help you reach your customers this season. | Photo by Gustavo Fring

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News Notes

Tech

One of Lakeland Electric’s new reciprocating internal combustion engines fell onto the tracks when a train derailed yesterday afternoon. The extent of the engine’s damage and the cause of the derailment are yet to be determined. No injuries or private property damages were reported, and the other five engines were unharmed. (The Ledger)

Number

$500,000-$1 million. That’s what it could cost to install radio amplifiers in a Publix warehouse, which is one of approximately seven buildings that pose communication issues for the Lakeland Fire Department. Two more in-vehicle radio repeaters have been ordered to help prevent future communication lapses. (The Ledger)

Stat

6%. That’s how much of its workforce Geico is laying off nationwide, according to a Thursday press release. The cuts will affect ~22 of its Lakeland employees. Inflation and rising medical costs were cited as contributing factors. (LkldNow)

Sports

Florida Southern basketball coach Eddie Anderson is hosting a pre-exhibition pickleball showcase at his pro-level, in-home court today. The public can watch pickleball hall-of-famers and pro-level players compete from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Next, Anderson hopes to create an official Florida Southern pickleball team. (The Ledger)

Try This

Register for Pinchos Crawl, a night of food, wine, and conversation with representatives from Finca Peñamayor Winery at Agape Agora (254 W. Central Ave. B, Winter Haven) tomorrow night from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $55.

Opening

Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant is opening its first Lakeland location at 518 E. Memorial Blvd. on Thursday, Oct. 26. Stop by to try Southern comfort foods like catfish nuggets, baked corn fritters, Mama’s Que Ribs, and more. A grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28.

Community

The City of Lakeland is honoring veterans with a special ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Park (701 W. Lime St.). At 11 a.m., the Veterans Day Parade — hosted by the Polk County Veterans Council — will step off for its one-mile route through downtown.

Traffic

The “Tube” — a single westbound toll lane between Universal Orlando + Walt Disney World on I-4 — is opening in 2027 to reduce congestion. According to the FDOT, an eastbound express lane in the same area, and express lanes in Polk and Osceola counties, are next. (Spectrum News 13)

Kids

Pressed Lakeland is hosting a Halloween storytime for preschool-aged children on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. Costumes are encouraged for this morning of treats, Halloween crafts, singalongs, and a scare-free read-aloud.

Health

Are you struggling with chronic pain? When pain starts taking over your daily life, it’s time to seek help. Get the relief you need with individualized care and minimally invasive techniques from Lakeland Regional Health Interventional Pain Management specialist Dr. Zishan Hashmi. Bonus: See five things to know about pain management.*

Shop

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Correction

Yesterday, we shared incorrect dates for the Orange Cup Regatta this weekend. The correct dates are Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22. Special thanks to eagle-eyed reader Dan L. for pointing this out.

Holiday

Where you can buy your Thanksgiving pie

Preorder your prized pies ahead of Thanksgiving

Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie | Photo via @bornandbreadbakehouse

If there’s something we’re thankful for, it’s Lakeland’s community of talented bakers. Here’s what they’re baking this fall:

Bandidas | $12-$36 | Try the brown butter espresso pecan and spiced plum crumble pies, or the pumpkin olive oil cakes and pistachio frangipane + pear galettes.
Born and Bread Bakehouse | $36-$42 | Impress your Thanksgiving guests with a 10-inch pie in flavors like pumpkin, brown butter apple, pecan, and gluten-free + vegan tart cherry.
Honeycomb Bread Bakers | $7-$29 | Try a spin on the classic pies with Honeycomb’s spiced pecan, apple crumble, and pumpkin-tamarind.
Reececliff Family Diner | Prices vary | Did you know the same expert has been crafting Reececliff’s iconic pies for more than 50 years? Head to the diner to order one of their classics.

Did we miss your favorite dish? Don’t crumble — tell us about it.

Shoutout

Happy birthday, LALtoday member Albert Green. We hope your special day (October 21) is filled with your favorite things in Lakeland! — LALtoday team

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

I usually watch the parade from the area of The Joinery/Catapult Lakeland, so I’ll have to pick a new spot this year. I’m still waiting to feel it out, but if I had to guess, I might try to grab a spot along Tennessee Avenue.

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