Florida Poly and Catapult are ready to get down to business. | Photo by LALtoday
In a ceremony last Friday, Florida Polytechnic University signed on as one of Catapult’s latest strategic community partners.
Through this partnership, Florida Poly students and faculty can utilize Catapult’s 10,000-sqft Makerspace as a venue for research projects, student-led start-ups, and other innovations — something they’re no strangers to. The end goal? To provide a direct pathway for Florida Poly stakeholders to impact Lakeland’s local economic + business landscapes.
Students will also have access to Catapult’s extensive resource library, as well as mentoring from the Experts in Residence to equip them with additional knowledge for success beyond the classroom.
The long-awaited partnership is similar in nature to one that Florida Southern College’s Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship entered into with Catapult in 2024, which has since produced at least student-led 10 start-ups with roots in Lakeland.
Students + faculty aren’t the only ones invited to the Makerspace — Lakelanders can bring their products to life by becoming Catapult members.
Events
Events
Monday, Feb. 3
Open Mic Night | 6-9 p.m. | Gram Parsons Derry Down, Winter Haven | Free | Listen to local musicians as they perform acoustic sets, or sign up to play your own tunes.
Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Ribbon Cutting for Chicken Salad Chick | 9:30 a.m. | Chicken Salad Chick | Free+ | Celebrate the grand opening of this restaurant’s long-awaited Lakeland location — the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year.
Online Author Talk with Sabrina Sholts | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This Smithsonian curator will give an educational presentation on her new book, “The Human Disease.”
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Krazy Kombucha x Cob & Pen Collab | 4-11 p.m. | Cob & Pen | Price of purchase | These local businesses are teaming up to create specialty cocktails made with kombucha.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Plate Painting Class | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $29 | Learn to paint this Valentine’s-themed plate while sipping on a free beverage of your choice from Tea Largo.
Thursday, Feb. 6
Voices of Innovation | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | COhatch | $25 | SCORE of Central Florida invites small business owners to a workshop on storytelling and finding your brand’s voice.
Board Game Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | HP Guild Games | Free | Borrow a game from the game library to play with others, or BYOB — bring your own board (game).
Friday, Feb. 7
Dixieland Relics Grand Reopening | 5-7:30 p.m. | Dixieland Relics | Free+ | Explore this vintage shop’s new additions while sipping on refreshments — register in advance to sign up for the limited seating bourbon tasting.
21st Annual Rotary Twilight 5K 2025 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park | $40 | Take a scenic run around Lake Hollingsworth to benefit Common Ground Playground.
What will have a 150,000-gallon ocean habitat featuring more than 3,000 animals across 150+ species? If you guessed LEGOLAND’s new SEA LIFE Florida attraction, you would be correct.Get a sneak peek inside the aquarium — the first of its kind for Polk County — opening this spring.
Try This
If “the cold never bothered me anyway” is a lyric you relate to, join the first-ever Polar Plunge at the Simpson Park Pool this Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-4:30 p.m. Individuals 12 and older can register to jump in the chilly waters, then stick around for warm drinks + giveaways.
Sports
NBA All-Star Otis Birdsong was honored by Winter Haven High School last week by retiring his No. 3 high school jersey. The 6-ft-4-inch guard helped lead the Blue Devils to their only boys basketball state title in 1973 + is regarded as one of the top players in county history. (The Ledger)
Edu
Polk County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year is going back to school — this time for herself. Florida Southern College granted Cynara Appling a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Education degree in recognition of her exemplary work as a fifth-grade teacher at Lake Wales’ Spook Hill Elementary.
Holiday
Missed the Lunar New Year celebrations at The Joinery this past weekend? Families can still get in on the fun this Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Florida Children’s Museum. Stop by from 1 to 3 p.m. for themed crafts, live performances + food samples, all included with museum admission.
Festival
Opening day of the Florida Strawberry Festival is just 24 days away, and discounted tickets are now available at Publix. Head to your nearest participating store until Sunday, March 9 to pick your tickets from the patch — guests 13+ are discounted to $10 and guests ages 6-12 are $4.
Shop
Lakeside Village’s Second Sunday Market is getting a rebrand. Starting this Sunday, Feb. 9, the market featuring local vendors will now be known as the Lakeside Makers Market + will happen on both the second and fourth Sundays, 12-5 p.m., September through May. Consider our shopping bags ready.
Wellness
Lakeland Regional Health and Bonnet Springs Park are partnering up for a free event focused on women’s heart health. EmpowerHer Heart will take place at the park this Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m., featuring free heart health screenings, educational sessions, dancing, and food. Save a spot.
Seasonal
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your boo or your bestie this Valentine’s Day, this bundle featuring a Bloom Shakalaka bouquet and specialty beverage from Pressed might be just what the love doctor ordered. Pre-order now through Friday, Feb. 7 for pick-up next week.
Eat
Ready, set, grill. The second leg of the Flordia Triple Crown BBQ, competition, Grills Gone Wild, takes place in Davenport Feb. 7-8. Taste even more BBQ while enjoying live music and a classic car show.*
Home
Selling your home? Promote your listing where buyers will see it — right here in this newsletter (in as little as two days).
Category
Try This
🎡 Meet you at the fair
We’re already dizzy with excitement. | Photo by @jkhokhar1
The 2025 Florida State Fair is just around the corner — this Thursday, Feb. 6-Monday, Feb. 17. Prepare to live the annual fair-ytale with this guide, featuring need-to-know parking, dining, and entertainment information.
🚗 Parking + admission
The event takes place at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, ~40 minutes from Lakeland. Parking is always free in the fairgrounds’ three parking lots. Here’s what’s near each lot so you can plan the perfect parking spot.
Lot A-E (Gate 1) |Expo Hall shopping
Lot F-H (Gate 2) | Cracker Country 19th century rural Florida exhibition
Lot I-J (Gate 3) |Florida Learning Garden
You can buy fair tickets (starting at $11 for adults) online or at the gate.
🎤 Live entertainment
With 12 days of fair fun and live shows, there will be no shortage of entertainment. You can find everything from blood-pumping illusion and adrenaline shows to live music, animal exhibitions, and more.
What is your top must-do at the Florida State Fair?
A. I’m here for the rides — thrill seeker, party of one. B. I’m here for the food — my stretchy pants are ready to go. C. I’m here for the entertainment — my agenda is packed. D. Something else
A four-pack of bamboo + glass jars — these 10-ounce containers are perfect for overnight oats, chia seed puddings, dressings, snacks, or anything else you want to prep and store.
When it comes to the Florida State Fair, it’s all about the food for me. I still think about the deep-fried Reese’s peanut butter cup that I had the first time I attended. If you share my sentiments (or have differing opinions), make sure to tell us in our poll above or drop us a line.
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