Plus, more rules Lakelanders live by.
 
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Today’s Forecast

89º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. | Sunset 7:24 p.m.

 

Editor’s Note
Tomorrow marks the official first day of fall, meaning we can kiss summer weather goodbye — right? While we’ll have to wait a month or so to really get that autumn feel outside, you can still celebrate the season at the opening weekend of Harvest Holler in Polk City.
 
Top Stories
 
A photo of AdventHealth's Heart of Florida hospital in Davenport. Palm trees are in the foreground of the photo. In the background is a hospital building with the words "AdventHealth" on the side.

A new AdventHealth hospital is coming to south Lakeland | The health provider plans to build a 400-bed hospital and medical complex near the Polk Parkway + Harden Boulevard by 2027.

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Silver Moon Drive-In’s silver screen history | Heading to see “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” from the comfort of your car this weekend? Take a look at the history of the Silver Moon Drive-In, which spans 75+ years.

A hand holding a container of ice cream in front of a Publix Super Markets sign

Celebrate your birthday with Lakeland deals + freebies | Blow out your candles and make a wish — it’s your party and you’ll enjoy these deals if you want to.
 
 
Asked
 

What’s your favorite way to work up a sweat?
A. Running or walking
B. Bicycling
C. Does binge watching true crime count?
 
Events
 
This Weekend
  • Adoptable Cats + Permanent Jewelry | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Andrew’s Coffee | Price of purchase | Cats, coffee, and permanent jewelry — what more could you ask for?
  • 17th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lake Gywn Park, Wahneta | Free entry | Celebrate Hispanic culture with food trucks, creation stations, and informational vendors.
  • Girls in Aviation Day | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence | Free | All are welcome at this event celebrating aviation and aerospace with hands-on activities.
  • Disco Fever | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 8 p.m. | Union Hall | $21+ | You’ll remember the 21st night of September after dancing the night away with Buena Market + LKLD Lindy Hop.
  • Paradise Market | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | Free entry | Peruse goods from local entrepreneurs at this lively indoor market.
  • Dan Pepin w/ Billy’s Roadside Grill | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free entry | This weekend’s Sunday Funday includes the Spanish guitar stylings of Dan Pepin.
  • Swan City Jazz Jamz | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Union Hall | $10 | Make a donation to the Blended Family Foundation to enjoy jazz tunes or join in with other musicians.
Plan Ahead
  • Polk County Vision Workshop | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | Free | Share your feedback to guide Polk County leaders as they create the next Comprehensive Plan.
  • Honky Tonk | Friday, Sept. 27 | 5-10 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free entry | Jump in a line dance, try your skills on the mechanical bull, and enjoy country music all night long.
  • Leading Edge Take Heart 5K | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 7:30-10 a.m. | First Presbyterian Church | $45+ | Run to raise funds for Take Heart’s entrepreneurship + education initiatives in Kenya.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • This week, county commissioners approved the $2.9 billion budget for the next fiscal year. Highlights include a lower property tax rate, 81 net new positions, and increased waste collection + fire rescue fees.
Number
  • $75,000. That’s how much funding Florida Commerce has granted the City of Lakeland to conduct an economic study of Memorial Boulevard. If approved by commissioners, the first phase of the project will be complete at the end of January. (Bay News 9)
Coming Soon
  • Chicken salad lovers, your time has come. Chicken Salad Chick is making plans to come to Lakeland at the site of the former Red Elephant Pizza & Grill on South Florida Avenue. An opening date is TBA. (What Now Tampa)
Open
  • Hong BBQ & Hot Pot is now offering all-you-can-eat fare at the former Shells Seafood location South Florida Avenue. Want to keep up with all the most recent restaurants and bars that are opening or closing in our area? Read more on our website.
Development
  • To help with congestion around a newly approved AdventHealth hospital, the city is planning a new traffic study with FDOT, as well as an extension of Wabash Avenue to Harden Boulevard. With all these developments, read up on the cost of planting some roots in Lakeland. (LkldNow)
Seasonal
  • Does anyone else hear sleigh bells jingling? Float applications for the 43rd Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade are now open through Monday, Sept. 30. This year’s parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 and will feature the theme “Christmas at Swan Lake.”
Wellness
  • Posture check — this is your weekly reminder to straighten your back. If that felt good, imagine how nice a stretch at Yoga Pointe would feel. Find your flow at these Lakeland yoga studios.
 
 
City Guide
 

You won’t find these in a handbook
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The No. 1 rule voted by readers: Don’t feed the swans bread. | Photo via @ashley_kent77
Whether you’re a tried-and-true Swan City citizen, a long-time snowbird, or new to the flock, here are some unofficial rules of engagement that every Lakelander needs to know.

We asked our readers + followers to share Lakeland’s unwritten rules, from common city knowledge to relatable trends and local lingo.
  • “Saturdays are for the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market” — @terrkreamer
  • “When we say “I’m going to walk the lake” 99.9% of the time it is Lake Hollingsworth.” — @sharronk1020
  • “Always be cautious as really any body of water can and probably does have a gator in it.” — @joshbell100
  • “Confirm or dispel any Lakeland legends with help from the team at the Lakeland History Culture Center in Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton. Bonus tip, [there is] no cost to visit.” — Lakeland Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department
 
The Buy
 
A high-quality five-piece knife set that’s on sale for a limited time. Each knife boasts durable Damascus steel and an elegant rosewood handle.
 
 
The Wrap
 
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