✈️ Fast facts

🗺️ Things to do

🍽️ Where to eat + drink

• Choice of cheeseburger, hamburger, white or red hot dogs, Italian sausage, chicken, or grilled cheese
• Served on top of any combination of home fries, french fries, baked beans, and/or macaroni salad
• Finished off with a Rochester-style meat “hot sauce” (and optional mustard, onions + ketchup)
• And you can’t forget the side of buttered bread

• Exploration Station | Friday, Sept. 20 | 2-4 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Latino Conservation Week comes to the park with bilingual learning experiences at the Nature Center.
• Night Market | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Brew Hub | Free entry | Happy hour lasts all night, so grab a drink while shopping from local vendors.
• Sunset Guided Hike | Friday, Sept. 20 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Se7en Wetlands, Mulberry | Free | Hike three miles as the sun sets over the wetlands.

• Dog Days | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Munn Park | Free entry | Bring your furry friend to shop from pet-related vendors and support animal rescues during the farmers market.
• Wetlands Walk | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Head to the Blanton Family Lagoon to explore wetland habitats through a guided walk + learning stations.
• Polk County History Center Architectural Tour | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m. | Polk County History Center, Bartow | Free | Gain new insights into Polk County history through a guided architectural tour.

• Pilates in the Beer Garden | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 11 a.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $20 | Improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and posture in this class for all levels.
• Banned Book Party | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Kitty Cat Lounge | $20 | Join a book exchange and enjoy beverages, snacks, and time in the cat room.

• Disney-Themed Music Bingo | Monday, Sept. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ | Free entry | Add some magic to your Monday by listening out for your favorite Disney songs.

• 26,365. That’s how many red-light camera violations the City of Lakeland issued over one year from July 2023 to June 2024. With repeat offenses down by more than 80%, city officials plan to discuss adding more cameras at a workshop on Friday, Nov. 15. (Fox 13 News)

• Well butter our biscuits. Polk County could be the next site of Bojangles, a restaurant franchise known for its Carolina-inspired cuisine. Earlier this year, developers filed a site plan for the restaurant along US 27 in Haines City, but a formal building permit has yet to be requested. (The Ledger)

• 925%. That’s how much of an increase the Tax Collector for Polk County expects to see in driver’s license and ID renewals alone by the end of 2024. Officials are encouraging those who need to renew to skip the lobbies and use alternative options like the online MyDMV portal.

• Sarah McKay, a pioneering Lakeland civic leader and philanthropist, died on Tuesday at the age of 98. A lifelong resident of Swan City, McKay served as the first female head for the boards of Lakeland Regional Health, Florida Southern College, and Polk Museum of Art. (LkldNow)

• Lakeland is getting its moment in the spotlight in the first episode of the newest season of WUCF’s “Florida Road Trip” series. Hosted by award-winning storyteller Scott Fais, the episode dives into the history of local landmarks like Joker Marchant Stadium and the Florida Air Museum.

• The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced “The Stage is Set” as the theme for the 2025 event, set to be held Feb. 27 through March 9. The theme aligns with festival organizers’ plans to bring in a new performance stage, attractions, and vendors — just to name a few.

• Need a new read? Pressed is holding a book swap on Saturday, Oct. 12. Bring your favorite book wrapped up with a short description and exchange it with one from another reader from 9 to 11 a.m. Sounds like the best kind of blind date if you ask us.

• Introducing Jobs, our new virtual bulletin board featuring local job openings in all industries. It’s simple: Post your listing (it’s free for a limited time), and watch those applications roll in.

• Been eyeing Canada, eh? Fall is the perfect time to travel. See these flight deals to Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia + more.*

• Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*

• Yesterday, we shared that three vendors had been announced for Mulberry’s forthcoming food hall, The Depot 303. However, we’ve learned that vendors are still in the works. Don’t worry foodies — we’re reaching out for confirmation and will be sure to share when the full list of eateries is set.

• A private athlete recovery pool
• 5,000-sqft weight room
• Offices for all basketball + lacrosse teams
• Locker room for the women’s lacrosse team
• 40-seat team film room