03.01.2024

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Today’s Forecast

82º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 6:28 p.m.

🌷 Mind if we spring this on you?

Spring events happening in and around Lakeland

Entrance to Munn Park with trees, benches, and signage

There’s nothing like a gorgeous spring day in Munn Park — which is where several seasonal events will take place this year. | Photo by LALtoday

Ready to see Lakeland in bloom? From live music and holiday celebrations to berry picking and community festivals, spring is when Swan City thrives.

Get ready to experience the natural beauty of Lakeland and all spring has to offer with this guide featuring 34 events and things to do happening between March and May.

🎟️ Festivals, fairs, and expos

Hello Spring Market, RP Funding Center

Shop from 80+ local women-owned businesses and enjoy music, food, and free parking this Sunday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Black History Festival, Jackson Park

Head to the rescheduled Black History Festival on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will feature artisan vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live entertainment.

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, 4075 James C. Ray Dr.

Take in a variety of airshows, family-friendly activities, and more at this annual aircraft expo taking place Tuesday, April 9 through Sunday, April 14. Adult weekend tickets start at $45.

Mayfaire by-the-Lake, Lake Morton

This Mother’s Day weekend, visit one of Florida’s largest and most celebrated annual outdoor art festivals. The event will feature 150+ artist booths, ranging from jewelers and clay artists to painters and photographers.

Hand holding up a carton of strawberries in front of a strawberry field. — There’s nothing quite like fresh-picked berries — click the link below for U-pick spots near us.
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Photo via @haleyjilll

🎭 Concerts, live music, and the arts

St. Patrick’s Day Concert, Branscomb Auditorium

It’s your lucky day. Watch as the Lakeland Concert Band puts on a free show on Sunday, March 10 starting at 1:45 p.m.

“Tick, Tick, Boom!,” Lakeland Community Theatre

Local actors will perform this autobiographical musical about composer Jonathan Larson, who is also famous for writing the musical “Rent.” The show will run from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 21, with tickets starting at $28.

Friday Night Live, Munn Park

This spring music series is back, happening monthly through April. The next event will take place on Friday, March 22 starting at 6 p.m. — BYO-lawn chairs or blankets.

Berry picking, outdoor events + more

Events

Friday, March 1

Florida Strawberry Festival 2024 | Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Florida Strawberry Festival, 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City | $4-$15 | Celebrate all things strawberry with fair rides, entertainment, and plenty of berry-themed food + drinks.
Lakeland’s First Friday Party | Friday, March 1 | 6-11:59 p.m. | Black Swan Venue, 112 E. Pine St., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Join this 21+ First Friday after-party for music, food, and drinks.

Saturday, March 2

UthMpact’s 2024 Project Prom Shopping Days | Saturday, March 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Hwy. 98 N., Lakeland | Free | High schoolers can sign a pledge to celebrate prom safely and receive free formal wear.
CommunityFest | Saturday, March 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | Free | Head ~30 minutes east from downtown Lakeland for games, entertainment, character meet and greets, and more.

Sunday, March 3

Keith Robinette + Hi Lumpia FL | Sunday, March 3 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Start your week with music on the Swan Stage and Hawaiian-inspired food truck bites.

Monday, March 4

Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | Monday, March 4 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Health

Watson Clinic to open new orthopaedic clinic this month

the front of Watson Clinic's new orthopaedic clinic in winter haven

The new Clinic will give Winter Haven residents and the surrounding communities increased access to orthopaedic care. | Photo provided by Watson Clinic

Have aches and pains? Winter Haven residents, rejoice.

Watson Clinic is opening a new Orthopaedics clinic in Winter Haven this month. Watson Clinic Orthopaedics at Winter Haven will offer patients:

General orthopaedic and sports medicine care
Arthritis treatment
Adult reconstruction
Injury-related treatments for the hand, legs, knees, hips, shoulder, elbow, foot, and ankle

Care will be led by board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. D. Chad Lamoreaux.

Live closer to Lakeland? Get Orthopaedic care in Lakeland, too.

Schedule an appointment

News Notes

Closing

Publix’s Lake Miriam location is scheduled to close this summer for demolition and a remodel. The store is set to close in June or July, with the remodeled supermarket opening by summer 2025. Read about what’s to come + where to shop in the meantime.

Sports

McKeel Academy unveiled its new baseball and softball fields as part of a ~$5 million project to revamp the school’s sports facilities. Changes include a new concession stand + an ambient lighting system that will allow for night play without disturbing neighbors. (The Ledger)

Opening

Peach Cobbler Factory Lakeland (5261 US Hwy. 98 S., Ste. 8C) will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow, March 2, from 12 to 4 p.m. The first 50 people in line will receive a free 4-ounce sample cup of banana pudding or cobbler.

Coming Soon

Want a sneak peek into Nineteen61’s upcoming rooftop bar? Chef Marcos shared that the spot will have its own separate kitchen serving up new and exciting dishes that won’t compete with the downstairs menu. What we’re pumped about: churros and chocolate sauce.

Closing

In case you missed it, local breakfast spot Biscuits and Benedicts announced that it is closing its doors due to a medical issue. In the Facebook announcement, the business thanked its patrons and asked anyone looking to purchase a restaurant to reach out ASAP.

Featured

Check out Lakeland’s “Southern Living” feature. The article shares nine of the best things to do around town, including antiquing or exploring our art scene, checking out spots like Hollis Garden and Bonnet Springs Park, and taking in the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture in the world.

Ranked

Winter Haven coffee shop Haven Coffee Roasters took home the title of overall champion at the recent Golden Bean World Series — the world’s largest coffee roasting competition. The nearby shop beat out teams from both the northern and southern hemisphere to win the title.

Job

Polk County Public Schools is currently hiring bus drivers. Pay starts at $18 per hour for full-time drivers and includes health insurance, access to free PCPS employee health clinics, and Florida Retirement System benefits.

Edu

New career resolution kicking in late? There’s still time to start classes this Spring. SEU’s Spring B online courses begin Wednesday, March 6. And, yes, you can apply + register for classes by Wednesday.*

Shop

It’s not every day that you find free, award-winning legal cannabis products. Cult favorite cannabis brand Indacloud is here with 30% off and free gummies with code “6AM” on any purchase. Get edibles, joints, and vapes for as low as $20 (and free gummies, of course) delivered to your door.*†

*†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Indacloud advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by LALtoday.

Asked

Where are Lakeland’s hidden gems?

Light shines through the branches of a large oak tree into a clearing at Circle B Bar Reserve. Moss hangs from the tree branches, and palm fronds line the clearing. — Some spots on the web consider Circle B Bar Reserve a hidden gem — do you?
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Photo submitted by reader Alexander M.

We all know that Nineteen61, Black & Brew, Hollis Garden, and the Polk Museum of Art are top spots in Lakeland for a reason.

... But we’re curious about the deep cuts — places that are unassuming, off the beaten path, or outside of tourists’ agendas.

These are the categories we’re interested in:

Food | Restaurants, diners, holes-in-the-wall
Drink | Cafés, dive bars, speakeasies
Attractions | Hikes, hidden artwork, peaceful hiding places
Retail | Pop-ups, oddity shops, specialty stores

Remember: We’re looking for the true hidden gems. Help us expand our horizons using the link below, and we’ll share the answers with proud locals just like you who read this newsletter.

You're a gem for sharing

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brianna

From the editor

As someone who no longer resides in a city with Publix locations, I often fantasize about the supermarket. Oh, how I miss walking into a bright, clean Publix and perusing the aisles whilst dreaming of my Pub Sub order (meatless turkey club sub, btw).

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