Grab your peanuts + popcorn — we’re taking you out to the ball game. | Photo by @jessicasreyna
It’s that time of year: Spring Training is back in Lakeland.
The Detroit Tigers’ 89th Spring Training season — and 60th consecutive season in Lakeland — kicks off tomorrow at Joker Marchant Stadium. Before you grab your ball caps, here’s everything you need to know to get in on this time-honored tradition.
The schedule
This year, the Detroit Tigers will play 15 games at Publix Field. Fans can grab tickets for individual games, purchase a five-game flex plan, or put down a $100 deposit for spring season tickets. Tap the button below to see the full schedule.
Use this map to make sure you + your crew arrive to the game without getting stuck in construction zones.
Map via City of Lakeland
The parking
If you’re planning to drive to the games, the City of Lakeland recommends departing one hour earlier than you want to arrive due to the ongoing construction on Lakeland Hills Boulevard.
Citrus Connection will also offer its complimentary Tigertown Express service to games once again this year, allowing Lakelanders to grab a ride from four locations around town to Joker Marchant Stadium every ~10-15 minutes.
Bourbon Night | 5:30-8 p.m. | Cob & Pen | $50 | Your ticket includes four bourbon tastings, finger foods, and a donation to Achievement Academy.
Friday Night Live | 6 p.m. | Munn Park | Free+ | Bring your lawn chairs + blankets to take in live music in the park while enjoying dinner and drinks to-go from downtown businesses.
Turn Up and Tone | 7-8 p.m. | Uno Dos Tres Studio | $15 | Blend dance with HIIT, strength training, toning, and active recovery techniques to take your fitness to the next level.
“Tootsie” | Friday, Feb. 21-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre | $30 | Local actors will perform this musical comedy based on the motion picture that starred Dustin Hoffman.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Flipping for Charities | 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence | $5+ | Don’t flip out — local nonprofit leaders will flip flapjacks at Kiwanis’ annual event to raise money for their organizations.
4-H Foundation Strawberry U-Pick | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Fancy Farms, Plant City | $3 | Head to this farm (two miles away from the market) to pick berries in support of Hillsborough County’s 4-H programs.
Plantae-Palooza Garden Festival | 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Hollis Garden | Free+ | Shop a variety of plants from flowers and succulents to exotic and native trees from local + visiting vendors.
Caribbean Carnival! BSP | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free+ | Caribbean Carnival returns with a family-friendly evening including a Black + Caribbean-owned market, food vendors, and kids’ activities.*
Sunday, Feb. 23
Lakeland Record Fair, Volume V | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lake Mirror Auditorium | $5 | Shop for vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes while a DJ spins the tunes.
Purr & Popcorn: Movie Night Series | 6 p.m. | Kitty Cat Lounge | $15 | Bring a blanket and grab free popcorn + a beverage for a showing of “Black Panther” in the cat room.
While Polk County may not have been one of the 14 Florida counties to go under a freeze warning yesterday, Lakelanders can still expect cooler temperatures through tonight. If the cold never bothered you anyway, grab your boots + take a trek on one of Lakeland’s trails. (The Ledger)
Ranked
No. 4. That’s where Siesta Key Beach ranked on TripAdvisor’s list of Best Beaches Worldwide. We love that it’s less than two hours from Lakeland, and travelers praised its relaxing vibes, access to public transportation, and proximity to shops + restaurants. Plan your next trip. (The Ledger)
Edu
Warner University in Lake Wales has appointed Gentry Sutton as its next president. Sutton joined Warner in 2019 + previously served as the Executive Vice President and Vice President of Advancement for the institution. (The Ledger)
Closed
Heads up, art fans. The new Kerr Wing at the AGB will be closed today through Monday for a special event. The rest of the museum will remain open for viewing as usual — we recommend heading to the Student Gallery to see works from Harrison’s graduating visual arts students.
Biz
CYCLEdelic is spinning into a new era. Founder Mary Marsha Brown is stepping out of the saddle and handing the studio’s ownership over to one of its teachers. Visit the biz on Saturday, March 1 for a grand reopening to meet the new owner + snag special class deals.
Family
Uliana Estate will host a Family Day this Sunday, Feb. 23. Stop by from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for carnival rides, food trucks, vendors, and more — entry is free, and all proceeds from vendors + activities will go toward Achievement Academy. Family fun for a cause? Sign us up.
Asked
Calling all outdoors enthusiasts. Reader Gene D. reached out asking for some of the best spots to kayak, specifically seeking rivers + canals. While we have a few spots we like to recommend, we want to hear your thoughts. Have a spot to share? Drop us a line.
Home
Lakeland Electric’s app is your ultimate tool for hassle-free energy management. Download for free to monitor usage, pay bills, and report outages right from your phone.*
Business
Psst, small business owners — whether you’re investing in new equipment, hiring staff, or managing cash flow, Fora Financial has flexible funding options for you. Get funded fast.*
Community
Your LALtoday team here. We care about Lakeland. We also care about the people in it. That’s why every day, we bring you positive, impactful news about our city — skipping the political talk, crime coverage, and biased reporting. Support our approach to local news with a one-time donation.
Category
Plan Ahead
🍀 Forward, March
We can berry wait for these events. | Photo by @ashley_kent77
Lucky you. You just found LALtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place in and around Lakeland each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to in March.
Heritage Day | Saturday, March 1 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Kathleen Area Historical Society Heritage Park | Free+ | Celebrate the rich history of the Kathleen area with live entertainment, pioneer skills demos, cane grinding + syrup making, and a silent auction.
Absolute Queen | Saturday, March 8 | 7-10 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $31+ | Don’t stop them now — this tribute band will perform Queen’s greatest hits just like in the 1980s, costume changes and all.
29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Party | Saturday, March 15 | 10 a.m.-2 a.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub | Free+ | Get ready to shamrock and roll with live music + green beer all day, plus a street party starting at 8 p.m.
Babbel’s expert-designed foreign language lessons, on sale for 60% off for President’s Day. Babbel’s 10-minute daily lessons focus on real-world phrases, practical conversation skills, and cultural tips, so on your next trip abroad, you’ll do more than just point at menus.Shop the limited-time sale and make travel easier, more fun, and way more immersive.*
Speaking of Spring Training, you can show off your Tigers pride at Spring Training by grabbing official hats, jerseys, and more before game day from Fanatics. We’re fans of this custom jersey — think we could get them to put LALtoday on the back?
