Plus, tell us where to volunteer.
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

🎶 We got the beat

Our readers plan their dream Lakeland music festival
A concert taking place on an outdoor stage at Bonnet Springs Park
According to readers, Bonnet Springs Park is the perfect place for a music festival. | Photo by LALtoday
After we shared about the Florida Sunfest of 1977, many readers told us they wished Lakeland would host another music festival — and we couldn’t help but agree. Since we’re not event coordinators, we asked our readers to plan their ideal music festival, from the headliners to the name. No idea was too big or unrealistic; it’s our dream, after all.

First off, what’s this event called? One name stood out to us among the rest: The Beat of Lakeland — thanks to Reader Gilda M. for that magnificent moniker.

Most readers decided that Bonnet Springs Park would be the best location. Other suggestions included the RP Funding Center and Munn Park. Since it’s outdoors, the majority of respondents chose to hold The Beat of Lakeland during the milder seasons of spring or fall.

A music festival is all about, well, the music, and readers opted to hear a little bit of everything, from rock to pop to folk to Latin music. The diversity of Lakelanders’ taste in music really shows when you look at the artists they wrote in to perform.

A music festival lineup featuring artists that readers would want to see perform at their dream festival

Here’s the full lineup of every artist our readers would want to see.

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Graphic by LALtoday

As local music lovers, we think local acts should open the festival. You said you want to hear performers like the Sofa Kings, Black Satin, Foxhall, and the Harrison School for the Arts Jazz Band.

Finally, it’s the headliners’ turn to take the stage. We’ve got to hand it to you — only one artist, Taylor Swift, was named twice. Each reader chose a different artist to headline, including Bad Bunny, Foo Fighters, Pentatonix, and Zac Brown Band. Talk about an all-star lineup.

Maybe one day Lakeland will host another music festival to rival the Florida Sunfest turnout. In the meantime, check out local artists’ performances at a live music venue near you to catch the real Beat of Lakeland.
 
Events
Friday, Nov. 10
  • Holiday Art Show & Craft Sale | Friday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 11 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Hills Estates Ballroom, 520 Forest Lake Dr., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop for handmade items and buy raffle tickets to benefit an updated craft room at this 55+ community.
  • Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12-$15 | It’s the last weekend to explore a corn maze and pumpkin patch or take a hayride through this fall farm.
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Live Green Lakeland Eco-Fest | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Learn more about how you can get involved to help the environment with local vendors, kids’ crafts, and entertainment.
  • Wings ‘n Waffles | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 9-10 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Enjoy a breakfast of chicken and waffles while you hear from speaker John Helms, Executive Director at Bartow Municipal Airport.
  • A Salute To Veterans — Ft. Blackbird Anthem & SG Wood | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 12-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Raise a glass to veterans while enjoying live music and a special tribute.
Sunday, Nov. 12
  • Lakeside Second Sunday Market | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from 80+ local makers and enjoy live music from Robin Brooke on The Lawn.
  • “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” | Friday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $22-$28 | Find out whodunit in this interactive mystery musical.
More weekend events this way
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Shop

🎁 Spread local love this holiday season with gift boxes from Catapult’s entrepreneurs
Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes.jpg
Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes are filled with locally sourced gifts and goodies made by Catapult’s entrepreneurs and alumni. | Photo by Allie Brinton
If you’re a Lakelander looking to share your love for local products this holiday season, Catapult has you covered with their Catapult Holiday Gift Boxes.

These boxes are filled with locally sourced treasures from Catapult’s entrepreneurs and alumni (think: sweet treats + savory snacks made right here in Lakeland), making them perfect for corporate gifting, surprises for distant friends, or heartwarming gestures to uplift your neighbors.

With prices from $30 to $90, Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes offer multiple ways to express your gratitude and holiday wishes. Pre-orders are open now through November 20. Bonus: Enjoy nationwide shipping or local pickup to share the love of Lakeland with everyone, near or far.
Peek inside Catapult's Holiday Gift Boxes
News Notes
Holiday
  • Veterans Day (honored Sat., Nov. 11 + observed by public offices today) is a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday, and help honor our military personnel at these events happening this weekend.
Seasonal
  • The 13th Annual Festival of Wreaths at the Polk County History Center begins tomorrow, Nov. 11. Visit 100 E. Main St. in Bartow through Dec. 14 to see wreaths created by local residents and businesses, and join the silent auction to bid on your favorite to take home.
Lakelander
  • Max Hauth, a current Lakeland resident, joined the military in the 1960s to serve during the Vietnam War. Read his Q+A with The Ledger about his experience as a Navy hospital corpsman working with the Marine Corps. (The Ledger)
Cause
  • Operation Cranberry is underway as Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) collects donations of cranberry sauce for its Thanksgiving meal deliveries. Donate cans at VISTE’s office at 1232 E. Magnolia St. before Wednesday, Nov. 15.
Learn
  • Want to know how to sew? Join Gospel Inc. at the Repurpose Art Studio (310 Plum St., Ste. 15) for a sewing class on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. Space is limited, so register to reserve your spot.
Arts
  • Grady Judd isn’t just Polk County Sheriff — he’s also a nature photographer. See his photos, as well as works by local artists, on display at the newly opened Lake Eva Gallery (303 Ledwith Ave., Haines City). The gallery is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (WFLA)
Family
  • There’s more to sea coming to Legoland Florida. The theme park is adding a new aquarium called Sea Life Florida outside the park in fall 2024. An interactive Lego Ferrari Build and Race attraction is planned to open inside the park in the spring. (Bay News 9)
Retail
  • Is your local business looking for a location upgrade? The Shops at Lake Wire are now offering prime retail locations near the heart of Downtown Lakeland for Spring 2024. These pristine spaces have room for dining, retail, coffee, and outdoor areas + sit next to 300 brand-new Lake Wire apartments.*
Drink
  • Your new first drink of the night: ZBiotics, a probiotic engineered by PhD microbiologists to break down the byproduct of alcohol. Try it to wake up feeling refreshed tomorrow.*
 
Cause

How do you volunteer in Lakeland?

How to give back and volunteer in Lakeland
Two cleanup volunteers pose with a bright orange road sign that reads "Volunteer Workers Ahead, Keep Polk County Beautiful."
Tell us what to add to our volunteer guide. | Photo by Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc.
As the holidays approach and we’re in the giving spirit, many of us are looking for ways to help the community.

We’ve compiled 30+ ways to get involved in Lakeland, but we’re always looking for more to add. Look through the opportunities below to see if the place you love to volunteer is listed. Don’t see it? Send us more information and we may add it to our upcoming volunteer guide update.

If you’re just looking for inspiration, here are a few to get you started:
  • Bonnet Springs Park | Help out with one-time projects or long-term volunteer positions.
  • kidsPACK | Pack food donated to children in need to eat over the weekends.
  • Polk County Bully Project | Foster a rescued pit bull or bully breed dog until they find their forever home.
Check the full list
The Buy

The Buy 11.10.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
An instant read meat thermometer. Because Thanksgiving is only 13 days away, and if you’re planning to serve turkey, it’s nice to serve it cooked.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Connor
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