The flicks will be frightening at this Halloween marathon. | Photo by @good_son95
Load up the car and head to the Silver Moon Drive-In — it’s almost time for its annual Halloween movie marathon. Tickets are available now for the event on Friday, Oct. 11, and you’ll want to grab them before they sell out.
This year’s themes for its two screens are “Monsters” + “Doom and Blum.” When choosing your tickets, you’ll pick one side to view for the evening.
“Monsters” This screen will feature Universal’s classics of the horror genre from the years just before the Silver Moon first opened its gates in 1948.
“Dracula” (1931)
“Frankenstein” (1931)
“The Mummy” (1932)
“Bride of Frankenstein” (1935)
“The Wolf Man” (1941)
“Doom and Blum” Over on this side, you’ll start off with two family-friendly flicks before getting into scarier movies from Blumhouse Productions, which is known for its horror films.
“Casper”
“The House with a Clock in Its Walls”
“M3gan”
“The Black Phone”
“The Purge”
Instead of paying per person like you usually would at the Silver Moon, marathon tickets are $35 per car load (read: pile all your friends in and split the cost). Gates will open at 6:15 p.m. before the showings begin at 7:30 p.m., so expect a very late night if you’re staying for all five movies.
Don’t forget a stop at the snack bar for fresh popcorn, soft drinks, candy, and all your favorite movie munchies until 1 a.m. Pro tip: We also love to bring our own snacks (or even dinner) + blankets to make it cozy.
Lakeland Walk Club | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth | Free | Meet other walkers and mingle as you make your way around the lake’s 3-mile path.
B-I-N-G-O | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Joinery | Free entry | Enjoy specials on craft brews, wine, house spirits, and classic drinks while you compete for five in a row.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
An Evening with Erin A. Craig | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | Books-A-Million | $0+ | Meet this New York Times bestselling author and get a signed copy of her new book, “The Thirteenth Child.”
Thursday, Oct. 3
Genealogy Exploration Class | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 1-3 p.m. | Rath Senior ConNEXTions Center | $60 | Older adults will learn tools and skills for exploring their family roots.
Friday, Oct. 4
First Friday: Cookie Carnival | Friday, Oct. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Get a taste of cookies from local bakers, and sign up to be selected as a judge to choose the best bake.
Caffeine & Gasoline | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free entry | Browse or showcase your exotic, classic, luxury, and hot rod cars, then grab coffee + breakfast.
Wyzant is pay-as-you-go (read: no expensive packages required), offering lessons starting as low as $10. | Photo via Pexels
With October upon us and the school year in full swing, it’s a good time to pause and reflect (ideally with a cozy drink in hand): How is the student in your life doing?
Whether you have a house full of kiddos or are going back to school yourself, Wyzant‘s vetted instructors can help with 300+ topics, from academic core subjects and foreign languages to test prep, musical instruments, and more.
Meet in person with a local tutor, or take lessons virtually. The best part? It’s pay-as-you-go and starts as low as $10/session.
The reconstruction of part of Lakeland Hills Boulevard will begin next Monday, Oct. 7. While FDOT is footing the $27.6 million bill, the City of Lakeland will update the road’s drainage + sewage during the project. (LkldNow)
Community
If you live across the county line in Hillsborough, you may be eligible for assistance from FEMA following Hurricane Helene. Hillsborough is one of 17 counties where residents can apply for uninsured damages or losses, as well as Pasco and Pinellas Counties.
Coming Soon
Japanese desserts are coming our way soon. Kichi Taiyaki will open its second location in the former Twisted Sugar space on South Florida Avenue, next to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. Get a first taste of its boba tea, souffle pancakes, and shaved ice at its original location in Brandon.
Ranked
No. 1. That’s what Florida ranked on a list of the “Best States for Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses,” with nearly 30% of small bizzes in the state being Hispanic-owned. Pro tip: Prospera, found at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, offers resources for Hispanic entrepreneurs. (B2B Reviews)
Sports
Recognize these names? Winter Haven High School will induct its first class of former players + coaches into its Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19. Among the 12 inductees are swimmer Rowdy Gaines, basketball player Tiffany Hayes, and coach Jack Deedrick. (The Ledger)
Edu
Polk State College will break ground on its Haines City-Davenport Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 9, bringing college education closer to home for the 80,000 residents nearby. The school is still seeking $17.5 million in funding to develop the campus. (The Ledger)
Sports
The 2024 IWWF World Barefoot Water Ski Championships begin this weekend, bringing together 100+ skiers from 10 countries. Catch the opening ceremony this Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m. on Winter Haven’s Lake Silver before a week of competition on Championship Lake in Auburndale.
Concert
Southeastern University’s music students are taking their talents to the great outdoors with a concert in Kelly Gardens this Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. The Contemporary Band performance is free + open to the public.
Which card now features 0% APR Into 2026? This card. (ICYMI, experts say balance transfer cards are one of the best-kept secrets for managing credit card debt.)*
“Encanto” characters will pop up all over LAL this fall — even on ice at the RP Funding Center. | Photo provided by Feld Entertainment
You don’t have to go to Orlando to find Disney magic. The cast + crew of Disney on Ice have been rehearsing at the RP Funding Center before they bring the next touring season of “Frozen and Encanto” to life.
We met performer Alessio Medini to find out what it’s like ahead of their performance there this weekend. This show first premiered here in 2022, before Medini joined, so it’s his first time visiting Swan City. We were interested to learn how he got into skating, his advice for audience members who feel inspired to skate, and what he thinks of Lakeland.
Read on for our interview, and catch the show on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. at the RP Funding Center. And say hello if you see these City Editors.
A MagSafe Kate Spade wallet that conveniently attaches to the back of your phone. It boasts Kate Spade’s signature elegant design + can hold up to three cards and cash.
Has anyone ever been selected as a cookie judge for First Friday’s Cookie Carnival? I’ve tried before, but wasn’t one of the lucky few chosen. Try your luck by texting FFCOOKIE to (863) 999-0030, or by being one of the first 50 to walk up on Friday night. It’s hard work, but somebody’s gotta do it.
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