After exchanging gifts at the Favorite Things Party, make sure to grab a pic in front of Sabrina’s iconic flower wall — it’s the perfect spot for a Galentine’s photo shoot. | Photo by @sabrinasdelicacies
Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day are coming up on Thursday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 14. No matter how you’re looking to celebrate, check out our top 10 picks for events to attend.
Galentine’s Day Favorite Things Party
Bring two gifts worth $20 each to exchange at this party hosted by Lakeland Girls Who Walk. RSVP to join the fun on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sabrina’s Delicacies.
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Eala’s Speakeasy
Reserve your spot for this five-course wine pairing dinner at the speakeasy below Frescos on Valentine’s Day from 6 to 10 p.m. Each $150 ticket also includes passed h’ors doeuvres, live music, and a post-dinner social hour.
Kids Night Out
While the parents go out on the town (or stay home in the peace and quiet), children can spend the evening playing + crafting together at Little Lake Play on Valentine’s Day from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
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.
Knit One, Crochet Too | 5-6:55 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library | Free | Sit and stitch a while as you socialize with other crocheters over your current projects.
Zumba with Liv | 7-8 p.m. | Stage Room Lakeland | $5+ | This medium-intensity class is part dance party, part fitness, and all fun.
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.
Live Artfully: A Taste of Lakeland | 5:30 p.m. | Lake Crago Park | $100+ | Sample bites + bevs from some of Lakeland’s top restaurants, including Nineteen61, Bay Street Bistro, and Mojo Federal.
Line Dancing in the Backyard | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free | These boots were made for dancing — two-step over to this winery for lessons under the stars.
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 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park | $40 | Take a scenic run around Lake Hollingsworth to benefit Common Ground Playground.
Polar Plunge | 2-4:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | Free | Take an icy swim at this first-ever event — don’t worry, there will be plenty of hot drinks to warm up with after the plunge.
Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group opened its newest location in south Lakeland yesterday, bringing the group’s total number of offices to 22. The office located in the Imperial Lakes area will offer pediatric and OB/GYN services to start, with primary care getting added in the future.
Festival
Vendors, entertainment, and community service recognition will be the highlights of the L.B. Brown Heritage Festival in Bartow this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9. Stop by the historic L.B. Brown House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate + honor the legacy of the business pioneer. (The Ledger)
State
Florida’s future’s so bright, we need shades. Last week, the Florida Chamber Foundation presented its economic forecast for 2025. Foundation experts shared that they expect growth in population, tourism, and residential real estate demand, with Polk projected to be one of 10 counties where Florida will grow most. (Business Observer)
Asked
Super Bowl LIX is coming up, with the Kansas City Chiefs set to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9. Whether you’re planning to be the host with the most or sit back with the snacks, help us score by letting us in on your Super Bowl plans.
Seasonal
Fancy Farms’ annual U-Pick Strawberry Fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 22. Head to the farm’s Plant City patch just two miles away from the Lakeland market + get your berry on from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — each container will be $3, with all proceeds benefitting 4-H youth programming.
Sports
Forrrrreeeee. The Epson Tour, the LPGA’s Official Qualifying Tour, will tee off its 45th season in Winter Haven on Friday, Feb. 28. Visit Central Florida will also host a series of public events, from youth golf clinics to concerts, throughout the week — stay tuned for the schedule.
Ranked
We’re hearing wedding bells, because both Orlando + Tampa secured spots in the top five best places to get married according to WalletHub. Rankings were determined based on costs, facilities, and activities. If only they knew about the variety of rentable venues here in Swan City.
Plan Ahead
K-pop fans, it’s your time to shine. The Kpop Bazaar will return to Lakeland on Sunday, March 16 at Union Hall from 4 to 8 p.m. The 18+ event will boast a live DJ, food and art vendors, trivia, and a full bar — vendor applications are also open.
Classic cars and award-winning BBQ go together like, well, pulled pork and tangy sauce. Can you tell we have BBQ on our minds? Head to Davenport this weekend for Grills Gone Wild, the second leg of Florida’s Triple Crown BBQ competition. Enjoy food, live music, and a classic car show.*
Health
Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid. Featuring a sleek, discreet German design, it ensures crystal-clear speech + sound with minimal background noise. Try the 45-day, no-risk trial.*
Shop
If your favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday is watching the commercials, we’ve got just the thing for you: commercial bingo cards. Bonus: This is the perfect prize for the winner.*
Category
Real Estate
🏡 Home with a side of history
If walls could talk, this home would have quite the story to tell. | Photo by Brandon Gengler with G2Media, courtesy of The Lay Group at eXp Realty
Calling all local history buffs: this home located in Lakeland’s Beacon Hill Historic District might be just the thing you’re looking for. 2016 Seminole Trail just hit the market, but it’s not just any historic home.
Located on the corner of Beacon Road and Seminole Trail, the land that the home sits on was sold by the US government to Laura T. Wiggins in 1887 — just two years after Lakeland was incorporated — making her one of the first female property owners in the city.
Around 30 years later, Wiggins sold the land and the Queen Anne-style home there today was built in 1926 — albeit with a few less modern comforts, like a wine fridge + updated appliances. Before becoming a traditional residential home, the property served as a guest house for a decade.
Now, nearly 100 years since being built, the four-bed, three-bath, 2,304-sqft home is seeking its next owner.
According to a recent announcement by the FDOT, construction is expected to begin shortly on the I-4 widening project, with congestion relief lanes set to be driveable by the end of the year. Maybe then driving on I-4 will feel less like this.
Answered
Answered
Which Lakeland chef or establishment should be nominated for a James Beard Award?
By no surprise,Nineteen61 and Chef Marcos Fernandez took home the no. 1 spot for our fictional nominations. Readers praised the establishment’s creativity in its menu, its five-star service, and eye-catching presentations. You’re welcome for the tip, James Beard Foundation.
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