August 2, 2024

Today’s Forecast

93º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 8:16 p.m.

☀️ The dog days are (almost) over

Watch the sun set at one of the Lakeland Flying Tigers’ summer games. | Photo by @lkdflyingtigers

We’re in the final days of summer, with just a few weeks left to pack in as much fun in the sun as possible. Check these Lakeland events off your bucket list before the season ends.

Lakeland Flying Tigers games
Our local Minor League team plays three series at home this month, going up against the Tampa Tarpons, Clearwater Threshers, and Bradenton Marauders. Don’t miss different promotions like bingo + all-you-can-eat nights.

Bonnet Springs Park nature events
Soak up the sun with free happenings at the park throughout August. Start with Bird Day and the Monarch Monitoring Blitz on Saturday, Aug. 3, followed by an alligator-themed Nuts about Nature event on Saturday, Aug. 10.

An exterior shot of a Lakeside Village's courtyard — Dress in your mermaid or pirate best to party on the Lawn.
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Photo by LALtoday

Lakeside Village Kids Club
Families can party on the Lakeside Village Lawn at the final Kids Club of the summer. The theme is Mermaids vs. Pirates, featuring appearances by Princess Ariel + a pirate, plus singing, dancing, storytelling, and a DJ.

Classic Albums Live: AC/DC, “Highway to Hell”
The next show in the RP Funding Center’s summer concert series takes place on Friday, Aug. 16. Get tickets to hear this album performed note for note, just as AC/DC recorded it.

Fine Art at the Magnolia
This indoor art show at Lakeland’s Magnolia Building happening Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18. will feature 19 artists. It’s free to browse the works of painters, sculptors, fiber artists, and more.

Four string musicians play on a stage surrounded by hundreds of pillar candles. — Heads up: Another Candlelight Concert with the music of Adele is coming in September.
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Screenshot via @gmpatton

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Experience an hour of Taylor Swift’s music performed by an orchestra in candlelight. This concert takes place in the Lake Mirror Auditorium on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Wawa Summer Fun Days
Visit Bok Tower Gardens with complimentary admission from Wawa on Thursday, Aug. 29 + Friday, Aug. 30 — online registration is required.

Need more bucket list inspiration? Save our events calendar for even more must-dos.

Asked

Which star are the “dog days of summer” named after?

A. Capella
B. Betelgeuse
C. Capella
D. Sirius

Be a summer trivia star

Events

Friday, Aug. 2

PAWblo Picasso’s Kitty Painting Party | Friday, Aug. 2 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe, 4636 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Drop in to paint all the cat pottery your heart desires — pottery begins at $16.50.
Swan City Improv Comedy Show | Friday, Aug. 2 | Times vary | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | This improvised comedy team is celebrating its 1,000th ticket order at both its family friendly and 21+ shows.
Emo Night Karaoke | Friday, Aug. 2 | 8 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $16 | Sing your heart out on stage with a live band backing you.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Bird Day | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about Florida’s native birds, then create your own hanging artwork to take home.
Bartow Con | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | $15 | Start ironing your capes — you can meet celebrities and show off your cosplay at this comic convention.
Amelia Paige Grand Opening | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Amelia Paige Boutique, 1470 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Price of purchase | The first 50 guests at this opening day bash get a free gift.
Harry Potter-Inspired Yoga | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 3-4 p.m. | Yoga Pointe, 2539 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $30-$40 | Find the magic within during this themed, non-heated class for yogis ages 14+.

Sunday, Aug. 4

Cleveland Heights Mini Market | Sunday, Aug. 4 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Shoppes at Hallam, 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Grab a bite, a drink, and goods from more local vendors — mention LALtoday at Sabrina’s Delicacies for 10% off your order.
Flamingo Bingo | Sunday, Aug. 4 | 2-5 p.m. | GFWC Women’s Clubhouse, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | $20 | Play bingo to win prizes while supporting the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland.

Events calendar here

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Pets

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A doodle pup waits for his Nom Nom dog food to be poured into his bowl.

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News Notes

Coming Soon

New coffee shop alert. The forthcoming Shops at Lake Wire will welcome the Central Florida-founded Foxtail Coffee Co. It’s the first tenant announced for the Shops at Lake Wire, the retail plaza coming to the Prospect Lake Wire mixed-use development.

Civic

Candidates for the Board of County Commissioners and Property Appraiser met in a forum this week to answer questions about their platforms. Get to know their backgrounds, stances, and priorities if they win the election. (LkldNow)

Shop

Vendors have been announced for the Green House Garden Store’s first Backyard Market. Head there tomorrow, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. to shop house plants 20% off and create a bouquet at the flower bar, then hit the Bedford Beverage Co. + Crepe Company trucks.

Tech

What started as a class project became a published paper for researchers at Florida Poly. Assistant professor Dr. Oguzhan Topsakal and research assistants Jackson Harper + Colby Edell were published in “Electronics” journal for their studies on AI models.

Open

Strong Souls, a new pole dance + fitness center, held its first classes yesterday at 105 W. Badcock Blvd. in Mulberry. Check out classes for all skill levels where you can learn dances and tricks.

Wellness

Local businesses are teaming up for the “Fuel Our Power” lifestyle plan. The plan features a Mediterranean diet from Feasts of Persia, fitness coaching by Coach Corbett, nutrition counseling from Nutrition Reset, and medical supervision from Lyndsay Health. Sign up to learn more.

Sports

Lakeland High School’s football team will look to complete a three-peat at the state championships this year. With talented players playing both offense and defense, a third consecutive state title could be a real possibility for the Dreadnaughts. (Sports Illustrated)

Family

Need some free school supplies? Be one of the first 500 in line at the Visit Central Florida Welcome Center in Davenport tomorrow. The Back to School Bash lasts from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., including vendors + free custom caricature artists.

Fun Fact

If you’ve been keeping up with Olympic swimming this week, you may have heard a familiar voice commentating: “Rowdy” Gaines. The pro swimmer and commentator was born and raised in Winter Haven, where you’ll find the “Rowdy” Gaines Olympic Pool.

Outdoors

Here’s a great excuse for being late to work. A large alligator was found hiding by a car outside a Mulberry home this week. FWC was called in to remove the reptile, but not before a few photos were snapped. (WFLA)

Cause

One Lakelander’s blanket could be a cat’s new bedding. Donate old blankets, towels, and washcloths to SPCA Florida for its adoptable cats. Drop donations off at any SPCA location during business hours or at the adoption center’s donation bins.

Drink

Take a sip back in time. Haven Coffee Roasters’ August menu features a lineup of 1980s-inspired drinks. We’ve got our eye on the “Never Gonna Give You Up” butterscotch latte and the Stay Puft Roasted Mallow latte.

Plan Ahead

College is a big decision. Get to know a top-rated local university with preview days just for prospective students (and parents) wanting to learn more about campus life, the community, and program offerings. See the dates + sign up for SEU’s Fall Preview Days.*

Biz

Handmade, homemade, and homegrown

Shoppers at vendor tents set up on downtown street

The market has grown to 100+ weekly vendors since 2004. | Photo by @sarahmaephotography

Are you a small business owner looking to sell your goods to other Lakelanders? Check out the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

With so many vendors, the market has recently changed its application process. Now, you can apply twice a year — in June and December. The market is currently on its August hiatus before it returns on Saturday, Sept. 7, meaning it’s a great time to start working on your application.

The farmers market operates nearly every Saturday from September to July — that’s 45+ opportunities to sell your goods each year. Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. from September to May and 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. in June and July.

Vendors are selected based on a variety of criteria, including the types of products sold. The market emphasizes handmade + homemade items, and there’s also a maximum number of vendors allowed for each product category.

The Buy

An all natural deodorant for sensitive skin. Enjoy the warm aromas of cotton and lily to help you smell fresh with 72-hour odor protection.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Market on Kentucky will soon be another spot for local entrepreneurs to sell their goods in Lakeland outside of the farmers market. Know of a biz you’d like to shop from there? Tag them in.

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