• Lakeside Village Kids Club: Mermaids vs. Pirates | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Families can party on the Lawn with Princess Ariel and friends.
• B-I-N-G-O | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Joinery | Free entry | Enjoy specials on craft brews, wine, house spirits, and classic drinks while you compete for five in a row.

• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $22-$35 | Forget the peanuts — this game includes all-you-can-eat burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and soda, or a buffet in the ’34 Club.
• Salsa y Bachata Class Plus Dancing at the Park | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | $10 | Learn beginner moves, then show off in a social at Munn Park.

• Summer Social | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Pink Piano | $10 | Network with others and learn about joining EMERGE Lakeland.
• Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park | Price of purchase | Try food from 15 different food trucks while enjoying live music from a DJ.

• First Friday: Back to School | Friday, Aug. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Don’t miss out on family activities + later hours at downtown businesses at this rescheduled community event.

• Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend yesterday morning, but Lakeland felt the effects when thousands lost power or experienced flooding. Expect a rainy week ahead. (The Ledger)

• Polk native Monae’ Nichols competes in today’s long jump qualifying round at the Paris Olympics. The event began at 5:15 a.m. EST, with qualifiers moving on to the final this Thursday, Aug. 8.

• Dr. Anne Kerr officially retired as Florida Southern College’s president last week, handing the reins over to Dr. Jeremy P. Martin. Kerr was the school’s second-longest serving president, raising $321 million through FSC’s Believe Campaign during her 20-year tenure. (The Ledger)

• The Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) Greater Lakeland chapter recognized Dawn Chapman as its Advocate of the Year for her work as an advisory board member. Heartland for Children and four CHS volunteers were also among award winners. (The Ledger)

• The Lakeland Arts Association is hosting “Make Your Mark,” an open, juried art show, at the RP Funding Center on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Artists can submit up to three works for a chance at up to $250 in prize money. The art will be on display through Oct. 15.

• Makeup A Murder is opening its first storefront in the Shoppes at Hallam this Saturday, Aug. 10, 12-5 p.m. The crime scene-inspired cosmetics brand has racked up an impressive 1.7 million+ followers across its social media accounts since its founding in 2018.

• 100,000+. That’s how many new Polk Library User for Student (PLUS) accounts the Polk County Library Cooperative is adding before the new school year. PCPS students can use their PLUS accounts for free access to library computers, research materials, and books.

• East of These + Bloom Shakalaka released the location for their new joint store: 214 Traders Alley. To find it this fall, head downtown to North Kentucky Avenue and down the alley with the magnolia mural by Stationery Loft.

• Think you could crush events like the “Hurricane Party Prep: Grocery Aisle Brawl?” Enter your team for next March’s Florida Man Games by Sept. 1. If you like your Sunshine State sports a little scalier, alligator hunting season starts next week. (The Ledger)

• We have some astronomically smart readers, with 85% correctly guessing that the “dog days of summer” are named after the star Sirius. Flex your astronomy skills at Bonnet Springs Park’s next Stargazing at the Rooftop event on Thursday, Aug. 15.

• Drafty windows = higher utility bills. Get beautiful Renewal by Andersen^® windows with a limited time buy one, get one 40% off deal — plus, take $200 off your order.*

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