Monday, April 22

Tuesday, April 23

Wednesday, April 24

Thursday, April 25

Friday, April 26

• Influencer Networking Event | Thursday, April 18 | 6-8 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Connect and create content with other influencers, creators, and business owners.
• THE SPRING COLLECTION | Thursday, April 18 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | FSC’s symphony band will take the audience on a musical journey.

• Dark Side of the Swan | Friday, April 19 | 7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Classic Rock Legacy will perform Pink Floyd’s entire “The Dark Side of the Moon” album — seating is first come, first served.
• Poetry & Prose | Friday, April 19 | 7-8:30 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | This open mic night will feature readers from Harrison School for the Arts, Florida Southern College, and Southeastern University — sign up at the door.

• Keel Farms Blueberry Festival | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel & Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Celebrate blueberry season with family activities + blueberry treats — parking is $10.
• Aquafest | Saturday, April 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Gandy Pool, 404 Imperial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Get an evaluation to determine the best swim lessons for your children at this fun family event.

• Fleet Feet: 90 Minute “Tri” with Hoka! | Sunday, April 21 | 7-10 a.m. | Fleet Feet at Lakeside Village, 1523 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Join Fleet Feet at the Lakeside Village Lawn for a free 90-minute fitness event featuring 30 minutes each of Pure Barre, running or walking, and yoga.*

• One of the top priorities of the Downtown West Action Plan is improving connectivity with bike + pedestrian trails. The city’s priority connectivity projects include the Five-Points Roundabout, CSX railroad crossing options, and improvements near Bonnet Springs Park. (LkldNow)

• No. 21. That’s what Lakeland-Winter Haven ranked on a list of the best mid-size metros in Florida to buy a starter home. Rankings were based on factors like the percentage of starter-size homes, mortgage payments, and median sale prices. (WFLA)

• Jim McFarland, a Lakeland shoe cobbler with more than 1 million social media followers, was featured on NBC’s Nightly News this week. McFarland shared about how he got into the family business, and how his daughter Tori keeps the content coming. (NBC News)

• We asked for your favorite activities at SUN ‘n FUN, and 64% of readers said watching the airshows. Another 22% said they hadn’t been before. Whatever you chose, you’re in luck — next year’s expo will be held April 1-6, 2025.

• Tom Curle, Director of Advancement for Florida Southern’s Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise, was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. Curle coached college hoops in New York from 2003 to 2018, earning 556 wins.

• The Gathering Place (2523 Broadway St.) held its first food pantry event with Moving Hope Ministry this week, which offered free food and job services for 218 people. Pastor Dale Rhodes says the new church plans to open the pantry monthly. (Bay News 9)

• Auburndale’s Lake Ariana Park will close on Monday, April 29 to begin an $18.7 million renovation, including a new civic center. Construction is expected to last 15 months, and Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert says she hopes it will attract more downtown development. (The Ledger)

• County commissioners voted to close the Rohr Home in October. Polk County was unable to find a buyer for the nursing facility, which it began operating in 2003. Arrangements will be made to transfer its 19 residents to other facilities. (The Ledger)

• When David Lopez found out that 84-year-old Betty Frey lost her home in a fire this year, he and his family sought community support to get her back on her feet. Now, he’s raising $30,000 to buy Frey a mobile home on her land in Lakeland. (Fox 13 News)

• Step back in time at the Polk County History Center’s next Architectural Tour this Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. This free tour of the former Polk County Courthouse in Bartow will be led by Curator of Collections Bartholomew Delcamp.

• Financial aid, dining + housing, academics, safety, and student support. Questions abound when you’re the parent of a college student. Get your questions answered with SEU’s new Parent Resources Guide — giving you everything you need to know, all in one place.*

• 150+. That’s the number of artist booths at Mayfaire by-the-Lake, returning to Lakeland May 11-12. Hosted by the Polk Museum of Art, this free fine art festival has been ranked among the top art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine for ten consecutive years. Stop by + see why.*

1. Improve connectivity for pedestrians and bikes
2. Nurture neighborhood infrastructure to improve liveability
3. Increase residential density in areas of Downtown West