Plus, your fave farmers market finds.
 
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84º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 7:43 p.m.
 

🍊 Leave the keys + ride The Squeeze

Hitch a ride on The Squeeze, Citrus Connection’s free downtown service
A sign on a streetlight post reads "The Squeeze, board here" with a scannable QR code to see the schedule. A tree-covered downtown Lakeland street is in the background.
Look for these signs around downtown Lakeland to find a stop near you. | Photo by LALtoday
If you’re heading into downtown Lakeland for a lunch meeting or community event, you might spend more time searching for a parking spot than usual. That’s where The Squeeze comes in.

This shuttle service from Citrus Connection aims to be “fast, frequent, and fun.” The Squeeze has offered fare-free rides throughout downtown Lakeland on weekends since 2022, and it’s recently added weekday lunch hour service with quicker routes.

An eight-seat golf cart used by The Squeeze service sits in a parking lot entrance. It has a digital sign across the front of the roof and an orange logo on the hood.

The service is free to riders thanks to funding from the City of Lakeland.

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Photo by LALtoday

The Squeeze is available on Fridays, 4-11 p.m., and on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Hop on at one of 12 boarding points, including stops near the RP Funding Center, Florida Southern College, and Lake Mirror. Golf carts can hold up to seven riders and hit each stop every ~20 minutes.

The Lunch Squeeze runs Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This service is more of an express route, offering fewer stops and quicker rides. Carts run from The Joinery to The Squeeze Park & Ride (at the corner of South Tennessee Avenue and East Walnut Street).

A partial map of The Squeeze route near Lake Morton.

This is just part of The Squeeze’s weekend coverage — see the full route.

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Map from Citrus Connection

You can also find The Squeeze operating during special events. In the past, it’s been available during Mayfaire by-the-Lake, the Lake Mirror Classic car show, food truck rallies, and downtown night markets.

Ready to ride? Here are a few pro tips:
  • Save our downtown parking guide to find more places to park before heading to your boarding point.
  • Check the full routes for weekday and weekend service.
  • Let your driver know your destination so you can hop off at a safe + convenient stop.
  • There’s a “super-stop” at the corner of East Lemon Street and South Kentucky Avenue within walking distance of most downtown points of interest.
Asked

When are you most likely to ride The Squeeze?
A. Weekdays — I love having lunch downtown.
B. Friday evenings — First Friday, here I come.
C. Saturday morning — I’m a farmers market regular.
D. Saturday evenings — I’m already making dinner plans.
Squeeze in your answer
 
Events
Wednesday, March 27
  • Salsa y Bachata Class + Dancing at Munn Park | Wednesday, March 27 | 6:15-10 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Learn a Latin dance and show off your new moves in a social dance under the stars.
  • Live Trivia with Bad Dog BBQ | Wednesday, March 27 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Show what you know to win taproom credit.
Thursday, March 28
  • Improv Acting for Teens | Thursday, March 28 | 3-4 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Teenagers can learn how to create scenes on the spot.
  • Paging Dr. Art(ificial) Intelligence | Thursday, March 28 | 3:30-5 p.m. | Florida Polytechnic University, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland | Free | Learn about the relationship between AI and healthcare from a panel of experts.
Friday, March 29
  • Adventure Day | Friday, March 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate a school-free day with performances from the USF iPad Band in the Nature Center.
  • Bark in the Park | Friday, March 29 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Central Park, 400 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven | Free entry | Bring your pup to shop from pet-friendly vendors and catch the annual Weiner Dog Race.
Saturday, March 30
  • Meet the Easter Bunny | Saturday, March 30 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Family Fun Center, 4825 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy a photo op with the Easter Bunny and take part in a free scavenger egg hunt for your chance to win a Family Fun Pack.
  • Immortals Art Exhibition | Saturday, March 30 | 6-8 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Photographs of Lakeland and Winter Haven by Matthew Fitz will be on display.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Health
  • Polk County is investing into new Lakeland healthcare developments. The county will invest $3 million to build a new Central Florida Health Care center in Lakeland, plus $1.5 million to expand Lakeland Regional Medical Center’s Morrell Internal Medicine facility.
Real Estate
  • Lakeland movers may find a better deal renting, according to new research. The ratio of home selling prices to annual rent was 12.7% in January, meaning home prices are higher. Need a place? More housing is on the way. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Family
  • Lakeland Regional Health will host Safe Kids Day on Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hollis Cancer Center. Local organizations like Lakeland Police Department + Lakeland Fire and Rescue will be on site to demonstrate family safety.
Learn
  • The next speaker in the Florida Lecture Series is Douglas Brinkley. This historian will speak about Florida’s role in environmental history. Join the free lecture tomorrow, March 28 at 7 p.m. in Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. (The Ledger)
Number
  • $36.1 million. That’s how much the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will pay for Creek Legacy Ranch in Poinciana. The 1,342-acre property — which was considered for Polk’s Environmental Lands Program — will be preserved as part of the Florida Forever program. (The Ledger)
Closed
  • Twisted Sugar, the cookie and soda shop in south Lakeland, has permanently closed. Its operators say they hope to find new owners to take over the business. In the meantime, treat your sweet tooth at these other local dessert shops.
Seasonal
  • Strawberries are so last season. It’s officially time for blueberries at Fancy Farms Market. Head to 5204 Drane Field Rd. for blueberry milkshakes, cobbler, lemonade, and more freshly made treats.
Eat
  • Cob & Pen is offering a special Spring Fling food + drink menu, including the Spring Chicken tacos, First Bloom cocktail, and more themed items. Like all flings, this won’t last long — try it through this Friday, March 29.
Arts
  • The works of Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth — two of the most influential figures in 20th-century American art — are the focus of Polk Museum’s new + original large-scale exhibition. Experience the iconic art in person through Sunday, May 26.*
Shop
Try This
 
Answered

We’re filling our farmers market basket

Lakeland farmers market routes for every zodiac sign
A bar chart showing responses to "What's your favorite thing to shop for?" Answers include fresh produce (53%), food and drink (20%), plants (12%), textiles and goods (5%), jewelry (3%), and other (7%).
We know what keeps you coming back every Saturday. | Graphic by LALtoday
Last week, we shared about how you can become a vendor at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, and we asked for your favorite thing to buy from the 100+ current vendors.

It turns out that shopping makes you pretty hungry. Most of our readers go for the farm-fresh produce and ready-made food + drinks. Others told us they always look for pottery, handmade products, pet items, and casual sundresses.

Looking to try something new at this weekend’s market? Click below for our guide to farmers market routes based on your zodiac sign.
Here's your sign to shop
The Buy

The Buy 3.27.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
New denim on Nordstrom Rack. We’re seeing great finds in women’s jeans from Joe’s, Good American, and Lucky Brand, all perfect for a spring refresh.
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The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Speaking of trying something different at the farmers market, this past weekend I ordered a treat from Meraki Bakehouse that might be my new favorite. Look out for the blueberry + brie pastry in the rotation — it’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and savory.
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