Plus, when debris will be picked up.
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🦇 Lakeland’s most haunted

Exterior view of The Joinery decorated with fake skeletons climbing the walls
No bones about it — these stories will get you in the spirit of Halloween. | Photo by LALtoday
It’s sure to be a frightful day in Lakeland. Get a headstone head start on the festivities with this collection of our best Halloween-themed stories from over the years. Read them by flickering candlelight with a cup of hot cider to keep your blood from running cold.

Meet the three ghosts that haunt the Polk Theatre
This theater built in 1928 has its fair share of hauntings, from an organ that plays itself to voices whispering in the ears of employees. Our team took a tour to experience the ghosts firsthand.

Polk County’s creepiest antique dolls
We won’t lie to you, this story is not for those with a fear of dolls. But if you’re into that kind of thing, we’ve got a map for easy access to these antique toys.

I-4: America’s most haunted highway
Nearly 2,000 accidents — and a whole lot of paranormal activity — have happened in this one stretch of highway that’s built on top of yellow fever victim grave sites, aptly named the “I-4 Dead Zone.”
Sign at Spook Hill in Lake Wales

The automobile boom of the 20th century put Spook Hill on the map.

Photo via Florida Memory

Experience Spook Hill in Lake Wales
Visit this site to see the impossible — cars roll uphill rather than downhill. Is it just an optical illusion, or could it be a paranormal force?

Bartow’s oldest man
Spend Halloween unraveling the mystery of 137-year-old Charlie Smith, thought to be the oldest man in America. Pay your respects at his grave at Woodland Cemetery in Bartow.

Haunted landmarks in Polk County
Have you seen a ghost appear at Florida Southern College or the Old Polk County Courthouse? Learn more about locations around our county inhabited by apparitions.

Have a creepy story of your own? Send it in and we may share it in a future newsletter...if we live to tell the tale.

Asked

What are your Halloween plans, Lakeland?

A. Trick-or-treating for full-size candy bars
B. Finding an adults-only party
C. Spending a quiet night in with my porch light off
D. Eating my fill of sweets
We haunt to know
Lakeland Christian School

Events

Thursday, Oct. 31

  • Halloween Candy + Beer Pairings | 12-11:59 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Price of purchase | Trick or treat yourself with curated candy + craft beer pairings from Brass Tap’s bartenders.
  • 13th Annual Just Cares Fall Festival | 6-9 p.m. | Just Dance | Free+ | Take the whole fam downtown for a night of games, candy, dancing, and inflatables to support Just Cares, Inc.
  • The Roast of Halloween | 8 p.m. | Laugh Out Lounge, Winter Haven | $15+ | “Boom — roasted,” is what you’ll be saying after this themed comedy show for adults 21+.
Friday, Nov. 1

  • Just Between Friends Consignment Shop | Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | Free+ | Shop children’s clothing, toys + items at this 3-day consignment sale — parking is $12.
  • Swan City Improv Comedy Show | Times vary | Rec Room | $10+ | See this comedy troupe’s final performance at Rec Room before moving into a new space.
Saturday, Nov. 2
  • 35th Annual Holiday Craft Fair | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cypress Lakes Village | Free+ | Start your holiday shopping off early with vendors selling homemade crafts + bites.
  • City of Auburndale’s FallFest | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Auburndale | Free+ | Get into the spirit of the season with live music and activities for the whole family.
  • Inklings’ Spoooooky Saturday | 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Inklings Book Shoppe | Free+ | Wear a costume and bring a new customer for freebies + discounts, and meet authors for signings throughout the day.
Sunday, Nov. 3

  • Art Crawl 2024 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Explore the works of 60+ local artists along with food, brews, live performances, and demonstrations.
  • Cupcake Decorating | 3-5 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $40 | The Creative Kitchen will teach you the scrumptious steps to creating artisan cupcakes.
Even more to do
Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic
  • The City of Lakeland expects to complete its first round of hurricane debris collection by mid-December, picking up an estimated 200,000 cubic yards. For those in the county, the end date is a bit earlier — late November. Speed up the process by dividing your debris. (The Ledger)
Outdoors
  • The City of Lakeland is testing adding an additional pump to move water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker more quickly. Levels are decreasing in Lake Parker, allowing the pumps to work at maximum capacity, and streets around the lake remain closed.
Number
  • 5 million. That’s how many meals One More Child has distributed to those in need following the recent hurricanes, in addition to baby care + hygiene items. The nonprofit is still accepting donations for relief efforts, with an urgent need for non-perishable foods. (The Ledger)
Community
  • The deadline to apply for FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof has been extended to Thursday, Nov. 14. Polk residents can apply for free industrial-strength sheeting to protect their homes while awaiting roof repairs.
Edu
  • Florida Southern College will offer new programs in its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences this spring. The first cohort in the Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (say that five times fast) will begin in January.
Wellness
  • Survivors of cancer can enjoy a day of makeovers + support at Breaking the Chains Foundation’s Power Crew stop in Lakeland. Apply to join at Clique Salon and Med Spa on Sunday, Nov. 10. The foundation is also seeking volunteers, from photographers to health and wellness providers.
Seasonal
  • The Polk County History Center’s 14th Annual Festival of Wreaths begins on Friday, Nov. 8, when wreaths decorated by locals will go on display. See one you like? Bid in the silent auction by Thursday, Dec. 12 to take it home for the holidays.
Lakelander
  • Lakeland Regional Health’s VP of Community Health Dr. Daniel Haight is one of 128 leaders chosen as a Fellow by the Infectious Diseases Society of America this year. The honor is given to those who help to educate and protect against infectious diseases around the world.
Featured Deal
Seasonal
  • The real scare this spooky season? Scary-high insurance rates. For service as sweet as candy, and eerie-sistibly affordable rates, call or visit your Local GEICO office on South Florida Avenue.*
Job
  • We’re looking for a rising star media seller to be our Sales Executive in charge of National Brand Partnerships with a primary focus on sports newsletters. Apply to join the 6AM City team.
Tech
  • Don’t let password vulnerabilities put your personal data at risk. Protect your online accounts with Keeper Security. New customers can sign up starting at $1.50 per month.*
Visit Central Florida

Eat

🌙 Trick-or-treat fuel

Stay late at Cob & Pen with a basket of fries. | Photo by @cob_and_pen
We’ve all been there. You’ve already collected your candy or won the costume contest. But it seems like the lights are off and the grills are cold at all your favorite restaurants.

Well, that’s not quite true — because there are definitely joints that cater to nighttime eaters with late-night meals ranging from pizza to burgers to sushi. Save this list of spots open late tonight.

Food & Beer | Open until 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
The name says it all — pop in after a long night for freshly made dishes and ice cold drinks.

Vasco Sixty-One | Open until 1 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 a.m. Sunday
Enjoy tapas + cocktails under the stars at Lakeland’s latest rooftop bar.

Riverside Seafood | Open until 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday
Pick up a platter of fish, shrimp, crab, and more at this low-key spot. Don’t forget the hush puppies.

Cob & Pen | Open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 12 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Satisfy your cravings with crispy Ultimate Fries and your choice of dipping sauces.
Night owls this way

The Buy

A three-pack of NIVEA’s cocoa butter in-shower body lotion — apply, rinse, and go to moisturize dry skin without adding another step to your routine.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Connor

Looking for the best decorations during trick-or-treating? Our Facebook followers called out homes on East Orange Street, Cherokee Trail, and Wyngate Drive, plus the Deer Brooke + Camphor Heights neighborhoods. We were extra impressed by this spider taking over a home inside the Villages at Bridgewater.
A house covered in Halloween decorations, including a huge spider and fake webs.

Photo by follower Abby B.

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