Plus, check off your bucket list.
 
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Today’s Forecast

93º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:28 p.m.
 

🇺🇸 The boom is back

Red, White & Kaboom returns: What you need to know
Red, white, and green fireworks explode over the reflective Lake Mirror as a crowd watches under a streetlight
We look forward to this explosive event all year long. | Photo by LALtoday
Red, White & Kaboom is returning for its 20th year on Wednesday, July 3 at 6 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new Lakelander, we’re answering commonly asked questions about the event.

What is it?
An Independence Day celebration on Lake Mirror’s Frances Langford Promenade featuring music, food, and fireworks.

Is it free?
Yes, but guests are asked to bring canned food items to donate to Volunteers in Service to the Elderly. Donations can also be made online.

Who’s playing?
Cover band Gary Love and the Moonlighters will provide the live entertainment before fireworks begin.

Are there restrooms?
Public and ADA-accessible restroom stations will be available around the event.

Where should I park?
Parking is free after 5 p.m. in public garages, street spaces, and lots. Pro tip: Park further away from Lake Mirror for an easier exit after the event.

A band performs on a temporary stage at Red, White & Kaboom as onlookers in patriotic colors walk by and US flags fly.

Find entertainment + food trucks near the Lake Mirror Amphitheater.

|

Photo by LALtoday

What’s for dinner?
Guests can bring food and alcohol, but grills and glass bottles are not permitted. Fat Maggie’s, SB&B Seafood, and Pelican Snoballs are just a few of the 10 food trucks that will be on-site around the southeast edge of Lake Mirror.

Can I bring my pets?
You can bring leashed pets. Just remember not all pets love fireworks as much as their human counterparts do.

What if it rains?
Events will take place rain or shine. Come prepared with a personal umbrella, but no tents or umbrellas that need to be staked.

When are the fireworks?
The firework display will begin at 9 p.m. with an estimated finale time of 9:15 p.m.

What else is going on?
Catapult Lakeland is hosting a Maker’s Market in its parking lot from 6 to 9 p.m. Over in Munn Park, catch the Lakeland Food Truck Rally with 20 food trucks from 5 to 9 p.m.
Asked

What’s your favorite part of Red, White & Kaboom?
A. The atmosphere
B. The food
C. The entertainment
D. The fireworks
Bring Fourth your answer
 
Events
Monday, July 1
  • Movie Mondays | Monday, July 1 | 2 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Watch a different family movie each week with themed snacks — today’s movie is “Wish.”
  • P-O-K-E-R | Monday, July 1 | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Play to win gift cards while sipping on drink specials from the bar.
Tuesday, July 2
  • Lakeside Village Kids Club: Into the Wild | Tuesday, July 2 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Go wild with animal showcases, crafts, DJ Scuba Steve, and balloon art.*
Wednesday, July 3
  • Red, White, and Brew | Wednesday, July 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate Independence Day with live music and craft beer before watching fireworks from the patio.
Thursday, July 4
  • Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Tarpons | Thursday, July 4 | 5 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $9-$65 | Stay after this game for Independence Day fireworks over the field.
Friday, July 5
  • First Friday: Stay Cool | Friday, July 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Beat the heat by shopping from vendors serving up tasty, cold treats.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Travel

12+ places to escape the Florida heat
a rotating gif of santiago, chile, and a lake in banff, canda
Worried about parking while catching your flight to Chile or Calgary? Don’t forget MCO now offers advanced reserved parking. | Photos provided by Orlando International Airport
Why should South Americans be the only ones enjoying winter in July?

Escape the summer heat and spend your days skiing in Chile or strolling Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo with Orlando International Airport’s newly-added or resuming flights to cooler international destinations, like:

⛷️ Winter in July

It’s winter in South America and (our) summer is Brazil’s coldest season — but not bring-a-jacket cold. Expect temperate days in the 60s-70s, perfect for beaching, hiking + exploring cities. As for Chile: Bring that jacket because it’s the height of Chile’s ski season. Book a flight to:
  • Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Recife, Fortaleza, São Paulo, Brasília
  • Chile: Santiago
🏔️ Hiking, gardens, and breezy beaches

See Canada at its best in summer, when days are long and temperatures pleasant. Explore Vancouver’s famous Butchart Gardens, revel in Halifax’s breezy beaches, savor Quebec City’s European-like streets + take a hike, well, just about anywhere. Book a flight to:
  • Vancouver
  • Halifax
  • Toronto
  • Quebec City
  • St. John’s
  • And more
Plan your trip + see deals
News Notes
Development
  • Crews will begin adding auxiliary lanes to I-4 between US 27 and Championsgate this year, two years earlier than originally planned. The project is one of 20 approved last year in the state’s Moving Florida Forward initiative. The new lanes are expected to open in 2025. (LkldNow)
Opening
  • Go nuts for this news. Mochinut is opening its first Lakeland location this Saturday, July 6 at 6218 US Hwy. 98 N. The grand opening begins at 10 a.m., so hop in line for mochi doughnuts, Korean-style hot dogs, and boba tea.
Award
  • The Polk Museum of Art won a Merit Award in the Test of Time category from the American Institute of Architects. Straughn Trout Architects designed the building in the 1980s and is also leading the museum’s current expansion.
Holiday
  • Plan ahead for waste collection changes due to Independence Day. Collection days for both City of Lakeland and Polk County customers will shift by one day, starting on Thursday.
Traffic
  • The city will mill and repave Cleveland Heights Boulevard from Westover Street to Lake Miriam Drive starting Monday, July 22. The road will remain open as one lane, but you may want to take a different route during the project to minimize commute times.
Eat
  • Graze Craze has opened in the Alamo Plaza on South Florida Avenue. The eatery offers charcuterie boards + boxes for both large groups and parties of one.
Sports
  • Last week, we shared that the Lakeland Aero Club will compete in the Junior World Gliding Championship in Poland, but did you know that the team includes America’s youngest competitor ever? Steven Tellman and his team will go up against 67 other pilots this month. (WFLA)
 
Try This

How’s your bucket list looking?

Check these activities off your Lakeland bucket list
sun-n-fun-fly-in-2017_33152913923_o-XL
We’re flying through the year. | Photo by Catapult
Today marks the halfway point of the year, and we’re checking back in on those local bucket list items readers submitted at the start of 2024. How many have you checked off so far?

Reader E. F. wanted to collect photos of the county boundary markers, stone pillars built in 1930 at the edges of Polk County. There are two in Lakeland — one at the corner of New Tampa Highway + County Line Road and one where Highway 98 North intersects with County Road 54.

Reader Diane S. is going airborne with plans to fly in a hot air balloon. You can take flight at Balloons & Beyond for aerial views of the city.

Follower @lakelandveganeats planned to keep eating plant-based, vegan foods this year. You can’t go wrong with these local eateries.

Finally, Reader Wendy F. wanted to visit the Wonder House. Keep an eye on the tour schedule to book a walk through this mysterious historic home.
The Buy

The Buy 7.01.24 (Affiliate)
A five-star rated swimsuit from Nordstrom — we like this lace-up back one-piece for an adjustable fit or this v-wire one-piece for a dipped neckline with support.
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
I haven’t forgotten my bucket list item: to take a train ride from Lakeland. While I haven’t crossed it off yet, I’m thinking a trip to Orlando to see family could be just the ticket. The trip takes just over an hour and starts at $12 one way.
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