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September 27, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

90º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. | Sunset 7:17 p.m.

 

🎃 The frights return tonight
A statue of the headless horseman on a black horse in front of the entrance to a "Legends of Halloween" haunted hayride.
Save this guide so you don’t lose your head on the trails. | Photo by LALtoday
A Halloween-season staple has returned from the dead for its 11th year. We got a first look at what’s new at Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail before it opens tonight over in Plant City, ~20 minutes west of downtown Lakeland.

First, a confession — these City Editors are with the half of you who prefer a pumpkin patch over a haunted house. That being said, we found that there’s something for both thrill seekers and scaredy-cats alike at Sir Henry’s scare park.

The line outside an entrance to a haunted trail with a haunted house facade

Sir Henry’s recommends guests be 12 or older — we’re not kidding when we say it’s scary.

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Photo by LALtoday

The three haunted trails (“Pyrum’s Wrath,” “The Ripper,” and “Agua de Muerte”) are the main attraction here. These outdoor, wooded trails take a few minutes to walk through, and they’re packed with terror along the way. Screams are the soundtrack of the event.

For even more fright, hop on the “Legends of Halloween” haunted hayride. We jumped in line thinking this would be a less scary alternative compared to the trails. Boy, were we wrong. Prepare yourself for a fully immersive experience (we’re talking beside you, over your head, and maybe even on your trailer).

A hand holding a cider float in front of a snack shack called "Spooky Eats"

We loved the cider float, but don’t miss the butterbeer, grilled cheese, corndogs, and snow cones.

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Photo by LALtoday

There’s more to enjoy if you’re not into scares. You’ll find a few shops, a midway with ax throwing + escape games, and a small food court. We recommend grabbing the Sir Henry apple cider float — ice cream works wonders for the throat after screaming as much as we did. Just keep an eye out for scare actors around the main hub.

Want to haunt? Grab your tickets online (they must be purchased in advance). Here’s what each ticket gets you:
  • General Admission | $27+ | One entry through each trail
  • All Access | $42+ | One entry through each trail and one haunted hayride
  • VIP | $57+ | One VIP entry through each trail plus unlimited general admission, and one haunted hayride
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is open on weekends through Saturday, Nov. 2. Happy trails.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, Sept. 27
  • Ladies Night in the Loft | Friday, Sept. 27 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $21 | Grab your girls and reserve your spots to let your creativity flow in the art studio’s private loft.
  • A Tribute To Journey and Heart | Friday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall | $25+ | Don’t stop believin’, start buying your tickets to this tribute by Wild Child.
  • Joinery After Dark | Friday, Sept. 27 | 8-11 p.m. | The Joinery | Free entry | Dance your worries away on the patio with tunes by DJ Barca and other guest DJs.
Saturday, Sept. 28
  • Leading Edge Take Heart 5K | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 7:30-10 a.m. | First Presbyterian Church | $55+ | Run to raise funds for Take Heart’s entrepreneurship + education initiatives in Kenya.
  • Fox Squirrel Corn Maze | Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, Plant City | $12 | Come for the unlimited maze, hayride, and jump pad access, and leave with pumpkins + flowers.
  • Spacious Stillness | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 1-4 p.m. | Satya Life Yoga | $50+ | Learn how to minimize anxiety + stress through this yoga and meditation class focused on breathing techniques.
Sunday, Sept. 29
  • Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Vol. 9 | Sunday, Sept. 29 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free entry | Rock out with live bands, plus vendors and food trucks from across Florida.
  • “Encanto” Sing-A-Long | Sunday, Sept. 29 | 4-6:45 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $5 | We don’t talk about Bruno, but we do talk about this family-friendly musical screening.
With Helene on the move, please note events are subject to be postponed or canceled. Be sure to check in with event hosts and businesses via social media to be aware of any cancellations or event updates.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 before making landfall last night. Polk County Emergency Management is keeping an eye on local flood risks, and it may send a mutual aid team to the Panhandle to help those affected. (WTSP + The Ledger)
Real Estate
  • Prospect Lake Wire will hold an open house tomorrow, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop by Downtown West’s new mixed-use development to tour the space, and take a sneak peek inside.
Try This
  • Charcuterie pairs well with page-turners. With Pressed + Sabrina’s Delicacies’ new Books and Boards event, you can choose a book and get a charcuterie board themed around your pick. Place a pre-order by Saturday, Oct. 19 for pickup on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Award
  • This news deserves a Pub sub. After opening 45 new stores last year and earning $57.1 billion in sales, Publix was chosen as Supermarket News’ 2024 Retailer of the Year. Maybe we’ll celebrate with a local leader’s favorite sandwich.
Number
  • 11,308. That’s how many telehealth visits PCPS students have had since the district introduced the program two years ago. The program costs PCPS around $1.5 million per year and offers students access to free physical + mental health care. (LkldNow)
Health
  • Midtown Dental Associates will hold its 13th annual Free Dental Day on Friday, Nov. 22. To get free treatments like fillings + extractions, be one of the first 150 in line to register at the office on Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 a.m.
Edu
  • Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School is now accepting 10th grade applications for next school year. The school recently earned an “A” grade, in addition to being named the top local public high school in February. Applications are open through March 1.
Outdoors
  • Those “No Soliciting” signs won’t work on a reptile. An alligator was safely removed from a doorstep in the Creeks Crossing neighborhood on Tuesday to be relocated by FWC. Know what to do if you see an alligator later. (Tampa Free Press)
Job
 
Lakeland Christian School
 
Community
 

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We publish hyperlocal content that is neutral and aims to educate + activate the community.  | Graphic by 6AM City
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A hallmark of our brand is that you’ll find no mention of divisive politics — in news coverage or advertisements. This means our clients will never be bumped by political ads.

With the 2024 elections on the horizon, our newsletter will continue to serve as a safe space for community activation and dialogue, not conflict and polarization. Be part of this community.
 
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Answered
 

What are your recycling plans?
A Polk County Waste & Recycling truck drives on a one-lane road surrounded by grass and trees
Learn what’s driving these changes starting Tuesday, Oct. 1. | Photo via Polk County Government
With Polk County ending curbside recycling pickups on Tuesday, Oct. 1, we wanted to know what our readers + followers are planning to do with their recyclables.
  • Around 64% won’t recycle anymore due to the changes, and 9% will take theirs to a drop-off location.
  • Only a handful of people said they would use a private pickup service. (Have one you recommend? Drop us a line.)
  • About 25% say they live inside city limits where recycling won’t change.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Many of our readers have reached out looking for private recycling services, but these are proving hard to find. If you know of one you plan to use, don’t waste your opportunity to share it with others.
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