Plus, local college application deadlines.
 
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🗓️ Your ultimate event lineup

Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
Two people hold strawberries from their seats in front of the Florida Strawberry Festival stage. The seats surrounding them are teal, and a few other audience members sit closer to the stage.
We’re berry excited for this year’s event lineup. | Photo by @jkarr7
Have you ever said “I didn’t even know this was going on” after missing your favorite Lakeland event? Save this list and never miss out on our city’s biggest festivals, parades, and celebrations again.

We hope you’re hungry, because the Tiger BBQ is coming up on Tuesday, February 20. Head to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium for the 77th annual barbecue, and get amped before the Detroit Tigers start spring training.

After your savory bites, celebrate all things sweet at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. The festival brings together entertainment, food, and fun in early March each year, right around peak strawberry season. This year’s festival is Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 10.

Six planes fly in a line formation over a control tower at SUN 'n FUN. Each plane has a cloud of vapor trails following it.

SUN ‘n FUN brings together aviation pros and fans alike.

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Photo by @guelito_prspotter

Did you know that the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is the biggest annual convention in Florida, bringing in 200,000+ visitors? Catch aviation and aircraft fun Tuesday, April 9-Sunday, April 14 — there’s something for everyone in the family.

Then, consider your Mother’s Day plans already made. Mayfaire by-the-Lake, a fine art festival, takes place on the shores of Lake Morton every Mother’s Day weekend. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12.

When July rolls around, so does Red, White & Kaboom, the City of Lakeland’s Independence Day celebration. Head to the Frances Langford Promenade in early July for live entertainment leading up to a fireworks show over Lake Mirror.

An artist paints an abstract design on a large canvas at Art Crawl. The artist wears a bandana, glasses, and lanyard.

Art Crawl invites artists of all mediums.

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Photo provided by Art Crawl, Inc.

Let out your inner artist at Art Crawl in early November. Shop for a new piece to bring home, watch performances + contests, or even take part in a hands-on demonstration. Last year, this event took place at Swan Brewing for the first time.

Finally, you can already mark the first Thursday of December on your calendar — that’s when the Lakeland Christmas Parade takes place downtown each year. This event brings tens of thousands of people, so make a plan for setting out those chairs.
Asked

Which Lakeland event are you most looking forward to?
A. SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo
B. Red, White & Kaboom
C. Lakeland Christmas Parade
D. Something else
Tell us your plans
 
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 31
  • Yogalates | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 5-6 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | All fitness levels are welcome at this hybrid yoga + Pilates class on the lawn — bring your own mat and water.
  • The Book Was Better Movie Night | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 6-9 p.m. | Pressed Books & Coffee, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | Free entry | Watch “Little Women” (2019) and shop merch, coffee, and books.
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • “Crossing the Moat” for Dedication Day | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $0-$20 | Get an up-close look at the Singing Tower’s Great Brass Door on the 95th anniversary of its dedication — included with admission.
  • From Slavery to Community Builder: The L.B. Brown Story | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Experts Charles Warren and Clifton Lewis will lecture about Polk County entrepreneur LB Brown.
Friday, Feb. 2
Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
  • Paint PAWty | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 12-4 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | $45 | Paint a Valentine’s Day-themed decoration to support Polk County Bully Project.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Development
  • Preliminary construction has begun on the final leg of Three Parks Trail. The seven-month project will connect Cleveland Heights Golf Course, the Lakeland Family YMCA, and Peterson Park via an asphalt multi-use trail.
Edu
  • The local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators, selected 20 new PCPS teachers for its Rising Stars list. The teachers were nominated by their principals for the award.
Ranked
  • Florida Polytechnic University ranked No. 1 on a list of Florida schools with the least student debt. The average student’s debt when graduating from Florida Poly is $14,250 — less than half of the debt at Everglades University, the most expensive school. (The Ledger)
Civic
  • Are you passionate about Lakeland’s historic homes and buildings? Apply for the Historic Preservation Board, which is now seeking two new members. The board aims to preserve structures and keep historic districts within design guidelines.
Arts
  • Visit Mitchell’s Coffee House throughout February to see its next art display. “Reflections of Wonder” will feature the travel photography of Craig Collins, former Harrison School for the Arts principal. The exhibit is free to visit during regular hours. (The Ledger)
Concert
  • That’s amore — “Amore and More,” that is. Don’t miss the next performance in All Saints’ Episcopal Church’s Performing Arts Series on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. The free concert will include songs inspired by love, loss, and friendship.
Lakelander
  • After a 60-ft-deep sinkhole opened in his neighbors’ yard earlier this month, James Mils is raising funds to help out. The Austin family has had to move out while crews monitor the sinkhole, and Mils hopes the funds will help them while they wait to move back in. (WTSP)
Eat
  • And the pitmasters are back for a second round. Don’t miss the Triple Crown of BBQ’s second leg of its three-event barbecue competition. Grills Gone Wild takes place Friday, Feb.9-Saturday, Feb. 10 + features live music, food trucks, select tastings, and the chance to see the pitmasters square off.*
Finance
  • One card, all the perks. Unlimited 1.5% cash back, a sign-up bonus worth hundreds, and 0% intro APR for 15 months (all with no annual fee) almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*
 
Edu

The college search is on

When to apply for Lakeland’s local colleges
An admissions counselor hands a gift to a high school student in a basketball gym. The gym is darkened, except for lighting on the basketball court. A drumline and costumed mascot stand behind the counselor.
Lakeland high school students were recently surprised with acceptance letters to SEU. | Photo by Southeastern University
If you’ve got a child preparing for college — or you’re a high schooler figuring out your next steps — Lakeland offers many high quality education options. Here are the upcoming deadlines you don’t want to miss at local colleges.

Florida Polytechnic University
Apply by Friday, March 1 for the regular decision deadline, or by Wednesday, May 1 for the late decision deadline. Admission decisions are released on a rolling basis.

Florida Southern College
The spring priority application deadline is Friday, March 1. You can also opt for the rolling decision deadline, but spaces could be limited.

Polk State College
Applications are always open at this school, and admissions are granted year-round. Just leave enough time to register for courses by the first day of class.

Southeastern University
SEU uses rolling admissions, so there’s no hard deadline to apply, but apply by Thursday, Feb. 15 for scholarships. To get priority housing + class registration, apply by Wednesday, May 1.
The Buy

The Buy 1.31.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Women’s UGG Tasman Slippers, which keep your whole foot cozy with sheepskin and have a thick enough sole for outside wear, too.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Are you ready for all the fun the rest of this year has to offer? I’m already thinking ahead to the holidays (sue me) and hoping that Bonnet Springs Park puts on another event like Light Up BSP this December.
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