07.19.2024

Today’s Forecast

93º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. | Sunset 8:24 p.m.

🥇 Let’s get sporty, Swan City

New sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics

A rendering of an aerial view of crowds at the Paris 2024 Olympics skateboarding site, Parc Urbain La Concorde

Both skateboarders and basketball players will compete outdoors at Parc Urbain La Concorde in Paris. | Image via Paris 2024 Pressroom

The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature several new + newish sports: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and 3x3 basketball. Let’s explore what you need to know about Olympic skateboarding and 3x3 basketball rules, and where you can try them in Lakeland.

A bright blue and red full-size basketball court at Hunt Fountain Park in Lakeland — Hunt Fountain Park’s red, white, and blue courts are perfect for working on your slam dunk.
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Photo by Polk County Parks & Recreation

3x3 Basketball

This sport debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It takes inspiration from urban street basketball and is played on one-half of a basketball court. Two teams attack + defend the same hoop, and the first team to reach 21 points or the highest score in 10 minutes wins.

Team USA’s men’s 3x3 basketball roster features Florida Southern College alum Dylan Travis — keep an eye out for our Q+A with him soon.

Dreaming of being a baller? Perfect your swish at these local basketball courts around Swan City:

Hunt Fountain Park
The basketball courts here got a refresh this spring. Start a pickup game to check out the new hoops + tile court.

Simpson Park Community Center
Perfect your dribbling on one of two indoor, full-size courts — just split the court in half to have two 3x3 games going at once.

An aerial view of Lakeland Skate Park, featuring skaters around a bowl and under shaded structures. — Drop in for a day at Lakeland Skate Park — just don’t forget your helmet.
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Photo by the City of Lakeland

Skateboarding

Skateboarding is newish to the Games, also debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The world’s greatest skateboarders will compete in two disciplines across preliminary and final events: park + street skating.

Park goes down on a course featuring bends + bowls, and Olympians gather speed to get that sweet air. Street takes place on a straight course complete with stairs, handrails, and other bells and whistles to mimic the streets where skateboarding first began.

Ready to ride? Here’s where you can channel your inner thrasher and try sk8ing in and around Lakeland:

Fletcher Park
Bring your own board to shred 24,000 sqft of bowls and a street course for both intermediate and advanced skaters.

Mulberry Skate Park
This small park is open from dawn to dusk, offering small half pipes and grinding rails.

3 more new Olympics sports

Events

Friday, July 19

52nd Annual Fine Arts Exhibition Opening Reception | Friday, July 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Florida Southern College Melvin and Burks Galleries, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Join the Lakeland Arts Association for the opening of its exhibition, on view through Aug. 2.
Social Skate | Friday, July 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Lace up your skates for neon-themed rides around the park for kids + adults.
Just Laughs Comedy Showcase | Friday, July 19 | 8 p.m. | The Stage Room, 310 E. Lemon St., Lakeland | $15 | Enjoy an evening of laughter at this underground stand-up set.

Saturday, July 20

Lakeland Is Our Business Vendor Market | Saturday, July 20 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop from Lakeland-based makers at this indoor market — yes, that means A/C.
Polk County History Center Architectural Tour | Saturday, July 20 | 11 a.m. | Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St., Bartow | Free | Gain new insights into Polk County history through a guided tour.
An Intimate Evening with The Sofa Kings | Saturday, July 20 | 8 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10 | It’s standing room only at this concert by these local entertainers.

Sunday, July 21

Pilates in the Beer Garden | Sunday, July 21 | 11 a.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $20 | Improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and posture in this class for all levels.
Belgian Independence Weekend Celebration | Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 | Times vary | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Join a family-friendly celebration with Belgian beers on tap, glassware giveaways, live music, and food trucks.
Paradise Market at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale | Sunday, July 21 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, 361 Denton Ave., Auburndale | Free entry | Peruse goods from local entrepreneurs at this lively indoor market.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Community

🌹 Lakeland, will you accept this (free) rose?

Welcome Canary loves Lakeland — let them show you how much. | Photos by Allee Cyrus, 3F Photography

Welcome Canary, Lakeland’s new wellness-focused luxury living community, is speaking our love language this month: iced coffee + flowers.

The community just wrapped up a brew-tiful four-day, free iced coffee pop-up collaboration with Black & Brew to say a debut “hello” to new friendly faces and the vibrant energy of Lakeland. And the delightful surprises just keep coming.

The rest of the month, Welcome Canary is dedicating themselves to showering Lakeland with joy in the following ways:

Random rose drops: Keep your eyes peeled. The team will be randomly handing out beautiful white roses throughout the month, just to brighten people’s day.
Four free events: Mark your calendars. They’ll be hosting a series of free events to bring people together and celebrate the unique spirit and contagious energy of Lakeland.

P.S. Add hashtag #LakelandLove to your social posts of your Lakeland memories, stories, and photos to further showcase our city.

Save the date for these events

News Notes

Development

SJD Development received approval to modify its residential plans for the former Wedgewood Golf Course. The modification allows more two-story townhouses instead of, or in addition to, the previously approved four-story apartment buildings. (The Ledger)

Number

114,700+. That’s how many Polk students will head back to school when the 2024-2025 academic year begins on Monday, Aug. 12. Keep an eye out for supply lists + orientation info from your child’s school. (The Ledger)

Edu

Six candidates running for Polk County School Board seats met at a forum this week to answer questions about their platforms. Read LkldNow’s summary of each of their answers before casting your vote for Districts 1, 2, and 4.

Sports

Baseball players with Lakeland ties were in the spotlight at the MLB Draft. The league welcomed collegiate pitchers Aiden Butler, Ramsey David, and Colby Martin; George Jenkins High grads (and brothers) Jackson + Michael Ross; and Lakeland Christian alum Mack Estrada. (The Ledger)

Civic

Deputy City Manager Emily Colón has resigned ahead of her family’s move out of Lakeland. Colón worked at City Hall since 2019, most recently alongside City Manager Shawn Sherrouse. Her successor is TBA.

Biz

Pressed will celebrate three years in business with a book fair on Saturday, July 27. Stop by the coffee shop + bookstore to browse local vendors, try blackout poetry, and order one of its fan-favorite drinks from the last three years.

Try This

If practicing 3x3 basketball has you dreaming of playing professionally, the Osceola Magic are holding local tryouts in September. The team previously played at the RP Funding Center as the Lakeland Magic before relocating to Kissimmee last year.

Drink Up

Clink, clink — we’d like to make a toast. Drink Up Week is coming Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26. To celebrate Lakeland’s buzzy beverage culture, local businesses are offering fun drink deals throughout the week. Map your route and raise a glass.

Seasonal

Are you up to date on the latest hurricane evacuation recommendations? Is your 7-Day Emergency Kit stocked? Find disaster info, preparedness checklists, FAQs + more in Lakeland Electric’s 2024 Hurricane Guide. Download for free.*

Seasonal

Just call us Santa Claus

Celebrate the holidays early with these Christmas in July events

Snow falls around a lit Christmas tree at Lakeside Village

Winter? In summer? Groundbreaking. | Photo by LALtoday

We’re at the midpoint of 2024, meaning we’re also halfway to the holiday season. Start the season early at these Christmas in July events happening tomorrow, July 20.

🎁 What’s Christmas without a few gifts? Head to Sunmed Your CBD Store’s market for discounts, or hop over to Keel Farms’ to try food + drink specials while you shop.

🎄 Santa Claus is coming to town early this year. If you’re looking to meet the big man himself, visit Lakeland Harley-Davidson’s Bin Day sale. He’ll be taking photos during a free cookout.

🧸 Bonus: It’s always the season of giving in Lakeland, so bring a toy or blanket donation to Tri-County Human Services’ Christmas in July event at the Lake Mirror Center on Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event will include crafts, carols, and an appearance by Santa + Mrs. Claus.

The Buy

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More worth The Buy

Answered

What was your first home in Lakeland?

Lakeland ranks No. 7 best city for first-time home buyers

An exterior of a historic home in Lakeland, viewed from the street. The house is painted dark blue with a pink front door, white porch railing, and white trim. Large green trees stand in front of the home.

Consider Lakeland for your first home. | Photo by @dietitian.anie

After learning that Lakeland ranked the No. 7 best city in the nation for first-time home buyers, we wanted to know about our readers’ first local houses. Take a walk down memory lane.

“We bought in the mid 70’s and later started our family of 2 children there.” — Reader Deb J.

“Small bungalow on Mississippi Street.” — Reader Matt R.

“It was a FHA repo that we won the bid on. 1973-$19,000 at 517 Eastway. 3 BR, 1B with fenced back yard.” — Reader Paul B.

“3rd generation is still enjoying our Lakeland home.” — Anonymous reader

“My first house was in Camphor Heights. I wish I would have hung onto it, it is worth about 6 times as much as what I paid for it!” — Reader Nancy H.

Tell us your first home story

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

If you’re ready for cooler weather like we are, you can still find a few spots in Lakeland that make us feel like it’s winter all year round. Amelia loves the lights at Ginny’s Arch on Lake Hollingsworth, and I’ve heard cold plunges are all the rage right now for members at Adrenaline Body Works.

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