Thunder on the Ridge | 4-10 p.m. | Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City | Children’s activities, food + beer, live entertainment — no pets allowed
July 4th Celebration | 2:30-10 p.m. | Mosaic Park, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | Multi-band concert, family activities, food trucks
Looking for a firework-free festivity? Here are a few alternatives:
Ax-Caliber will be offering specials all day, including $4 off axe throwing.
Head to CMX Lakeside Village 18 Cinemas’ Summer Film Fest for discounted movie tickets — today’s movie is “The Secret Life of Pets.”
All attractions at Family Fun Center are $4 each when you buy online with code JULY4DEAL.
Grab hot dogs from Olsen’s Craft Wieners at Swan Brewing starting at 12 p.m., then stick around for music from Steve Hogie Band at 6 p.m.
Events
Thursday, July 4
2024 Red, White & Brew 5K | Thursday, July 4 | 7:04-11 a.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | $25-$45 | Kick off Independence Day with a 5K followed by pancakes + brew specials.
Friday, July 5
New Parent Support Group | Friday, July 5 | 9-10 a.m. | Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Build community while enhancing your knowledge of basic parenting principles.
First Friday: Stay Cool | Friday, July 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy shopping from vendors serving up tasty, cool treats.
Grown-Up Recess | Friday, July 5 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Quinteassance, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 101, Lakeland | $40 | Adults ages 18+ can let out their inner child with lunch boxes, show and tell, and more.
Saturday, July 6
Caffeine & Gasoline | Saturday, July 6 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Browse or showcase your exotic, classic, luxury, and hot rod cars, then grab coffee + breakfast.
All Fired Up: A Tribute To Pat Benatar | Saturday, July 6 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12 | Hit this concert with your best shot + rock out to the music of Pat Benatar.
Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 248 years since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. As a reminder, city and county offices and buildings are closed today, but most will reopen tomorrow.
Development
Lakeland Police Athletic League (PAL) asked the city to assist with acquiring land and funding to build a new facility near Simpson Park. Early designs for the 40,000-sqft building include a police substation, bodega, and multi-purpose space for PAL’s programming. (The Ledger)
Health
Lakeland Regional Health’s Morrell Internal Medicine Clinic recently completed a 4,000-sqft expansion. The clinic’s 32 total exam rooms and modernized equipment will enhance LRH’s primary care capacity + support for the Internal Medicine Graduate Education Program.
Edu
Southeastern University has been named a College of Distinction for the fifth year. The national recognition is based on five key tenets, including student engagement, teaching effectiveness, and educational outcomes.
Travel
Looking to live out your Hallmark movie dreams by spending the holiday season in a charming New England town? Look no further. Avelo has extended its scheduled flights from LAL to New Haven, CT through Jan. 7. — take a look.
Kids
The Renard Hayes School of Music is still accepting students ages 10-17 for its five-week music intensive. The vocal-focused camp meets every Monday in July from 4 to 6 p.m. at Academy Prep Center of Lakeland.
Transit
Citrus Connection is bringing the Squeeze shuttle service to Bartow, starting Monday, Aug. 5. Residents will be able to hitch a free ride 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at one of the seven planned stops across downtown Bartow. (The Ledger)
The Buy
The Buy 7.04.24 (Affiliate)
Reusable grocery cooler bags. If you’ve been rocking the same tired grocery bags for a while now (guilty), investing in some sturdy, insulated bags makes transporting groceries comfortable and more convenient.
Happy Fourth, Lakeland. I’m spending today having a good, old fashioned cookout in the backyard with my fiance’s family — complete with a cornhole tournament, of course. What are some of your favorite Fourth of July traditions + memories?
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