Plus, help Bok Tower Gardens' restoration efforts.
 
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Today’s Forecast

93º | 33% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. | Sunset 8:07 p.m.
 

🦅 It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s “Florida Man”

Embrace your inner “Florida Man” at the second annual Florida Man Games
Two individuals duel in a cage match at The Florida Man Games
Grab your 7-Up and your moon pie — we’re going to the Florida Man Games. | Photo courtesy of @tuckerjoenz
We know you’ve seen them scrolling through the news: headlines about a “Florida man” caught doing something that makes you cock an eyebrow in disbelief, confusion, or both.

A term that began as a meme in 2013 has now almost become a source of pride for Floridians as a way to embrace the uniqueness of living in the Sunshine State.

Enter: The Florida Man Games, a celebration of Florida culture like no other that markets itself as “the wildest live athletic competition on Earth.” The second annual games will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in St. Augustine.

A man with a mullet, sunglasses, and red bandana runs towards the camera with a pack of paper towels in a Publix. His competitor slumps over a shopping cart in the background in defeat.

Throwing elbows may not be acceptable in a Publix aisle, but it’ll be both expected and encouraged during the Florida Man Games’ Hurricane Shopping Brawl event.

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Photo courtesy of @stufftodoinstaugustine

To succeed in these games, you don’t need to be the epitome of peak athleticism. You just need to be willing to give your all in events like the Weaponized Pool Noodle Mud Duel, Florida Sumo Cage Match & Beer Pitcher Chug, and, new this year, Hurricane Party Prep: Grocery Aisle Brawl. You have to see photos from last year’s event to believe them.

Beyond providing a space for citizens to let their Floridian freak flags fly, the organization also prides itself on its charitable efforts, donating $20,000 to Jimmy Jam Community Outreach following its inaugural event in February 2024 that garnered an audience of 5,000. Yes, 5,000.

The winners of the 2024 Florida Man Games pose in front of the camera with their championship belt.

Team “Hanky Spanky” from Jacksonville took home the gold as the inaugural Florida Man Games champions — do you think you have what it takes to beat them?

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Photo courtesy of The Florida Man Games

Think you have what it takes to bring the championship belt home to Lakeland? Assemble three to five team members and send in your audition video before Sunday, Sept. 1 — only 12 teams will be accepted from around the state, with just one team allowed per city. Vendor opportunities are also available.

We might be biased, but we think a Polk County team could sweep the competition if given the chance. After all, other counties are great — but only one has Grady Judd.
Grab your tickets
Asked

Which Lakeland-inspired event would you add to The Florida Man Games?
A. Swan Wrangling Round-Up
B. Pub Sub Eating Contest
C. Alligator Marshmallow Toss
D. Something else
Don't be shy, show your pride
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 13
  • 55+ Senior Social Cafe | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 10 a.m. | Rose Dynasty Center | Free | Find support and connections with LGBTQ+ older adults each month.
  • Pink Party — Support the Warriors | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free entry | Play music bingo + sip pink drinks — a portion of sales will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
  • Salsa y Bachata Class Plus Dancing at the Park | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | $10 | Learn beginner moves, practice with a partner, then show off in a social at Munn Park.
  • AHL Clinic | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 8:45 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena | $35 | Ice hockey players of all levels can learn new skills on skates.
Thursday, Aug. 15
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Today Is
  • The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Charley’s striking Polk County. At the time of its landing, the Category 2 storm was the first to hit the county in 44 years. If you lived here during this storm, share your memories with us. (The Ledger)
Number
  • 125,000. That’s the projected enrollment for PCPS for the 2024-2025 school year. In addition to building new schools to relieve overcrowding, the district is also working through a re-zoning exercise to better distribute the student population. (WFTS)
Cause
Biz
  • Calling all local entrepreneurs — are you ready to launch? Applications for Catapult’s Launch Micro-Grant are now open through Monday, Sept. 9. Finalists will pitch for up to $10,000 in funding on Tuesday, Oct. 10 to help grow their business.
Transit
  • School is back in session, and so is Citrus Connection’s COLTS program. Through COLTS, high school + select college students across Polk can ride Citrus Connection fare-free with their school ID.
Coming Soon
  • Don’t get your feathers in a twist — the opening of LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken’s second location in Winter Haven is growing ever near. In a recent update, the eatery shared that it’s targeting a late August opening. A specific date has not been announced.
Listen
  • Peace River Center and Southeastern University recently launched “Finding Your Balance,” an educational podcast focused on mental health. Check out the first two episodes on Peace River’s website, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Eat
Older Adults
  • Embrace your next adventure in retirement by volunteering with AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. Use your skills to make a difference, stay active, and gain physical, mental, and social benefits. Assist neighbors with grocery shopping or offer companionship to those in need, all while enriching our community (and yourself).*
Lakeland Christian School
 
Outdoors

🗣️ Talk to Bok

Share your thoughts on the restoration + preservation of Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower is reflected in a pond on a sunny day
Share your thoughts to help inform Bok Tower’s restoration + preservation priorities. | Photo via @edventure_with_us
When it comes to iconic Central Florida landmarks, it’s hard to think of one that stands out more than Bok Tower Gardens.

As the Gardens celebrate 95 years in operation, the historic site is seeking public comments on its Cultural Landscape Report — the first step of a multimillion-dollar landscape restoration + preservation project.

The project is made possible in part due to the Save America’s Treasures grant, a program through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund. Since its inception in 1998, the program has awarded more than $300 million to historic preservation projects across the US.

The Gardens are looking to use the grant funding to restore key historic components of the property, including the Exedra fountain, western sunset vista, 34 acres of pine forest, garden thickets, and tree canopy. Read the full report + submit your thoughts to help shape the direction of the final project.
The Buy

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More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Amelia Herring.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Amelia
From the editor
A new study by WalletHub recently ranked Florida as the second-best place to live in the US thanks to its low unemployment rate, job opportunities per capita, and other factors. If you’re new to the Sunshine State, particularly Lakeland, let me be the first to say, we’re glad you’re here.
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