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🍓 Festival first-timers, we’re here to help
The Petal Co. is ready for strawberry shoppers. | Photo by @the.petalco
With so much to explore at the Florida Strawberry Festival, it can be hard to decide where to shop + what to eat. Support local vendors by hitting these booths and performances from businesses you know, or try something from out of town with top picks from City Editor Connor, our festival expert-in-residence.
Local vendors
Lakeland-based florist The Petal Co. will be the festival’s first and only fresh flower vendor. Find this booth inside the Stadium Exhibit Hall to take home a fresh arrangement, build your own bouquet, or snap a picture at the photo op.
Food truck rally regulars will recognize Seasoned Green, which is the sole vendor serving exclusively vegan + vegetarian bites at the festival this year. Head toward Gate 16 west of the Wish Farms Soundstage to try the new Sesame Sweet Heat Po Boy sandwich.
We’re intrigued just enough to try a scoop of strawberry mac + cheese.
Brody’s Mac and Cheese is a new addition to the festival, but Connor is looking forward to trying its strawberry mac. It was featured on Food Network’s “Carnival Eats,” so it must be good, right? This truck is on Edwards Street near the stadium.
Will you attend the Florida Strawberry Festival this year?
A. Yes, I plan to go as many times as possible. B. Maybe, I’ve been before but it depends. C. No, it’s not my thing. D. I’ve never been, but I plan to visit.
Lakeland Cruisers Cruise Night | 5-8 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | This family-friendly car show has been running for 18+ years — come see what all the fun is about.
“Curtains” | Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Harrison School for the Arts | $16+ | Prepare for a night of laughter as talented high schoolers perform this comedic “whodunit” musical.
Saturday, March 1
Birding on the Boardwalk | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Hone your birding and wildlife skills with a guided walk around Blanton Family Lagoon.
Sip + Shop | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | Sip on farm-fresh beverages while strolling around a market of local vendors.
LKLD Indie Super Bash | Saturday, March 1-Sunday, March 2 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Union Hall | $10+ | Rock out with 41 local bands across two stages at this newly expanded music festival.
Sunday, March 2
Free Tan Event | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Liv Tan | Free | Stop by the salon for spray tans, time in the infrared sauna, and more to get your glow on before spring.
Brunch and Paint | 2-4 p.m. | La Gran Muralla | $35 | Pick up a brush while you put away brunch.
After successfully launching LAL as a base airport at the end of 2024, Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy says new routes could be in the works soon. The company has its sights set on a Michigan route, and more midwest + northeast airports could be of interest as well. (The Ledger)
Development
The Polk County Regional Water Cooperative broke ground on its future water production facility in Lake Wales on Wednesday after completing the site’s injection well. It’s part of a $560 million project to meet Polk’s rising water needs by drawing from the Lower Floridan Aquifer. (The Ledger)
Coming Soon
Take a picture, it’ll last longer — plus, you’ll soon be able to get it developed at the new Lakeland Film Lab. The shop will open next month in the former Downtown Diner location on East Main Street, with mail-in and drop-off options available.
Health
Get a first look at Lakeland Regional Health’s newest Freestanding Emergency Department at an open house on Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., complete with games and giveaways. The facility at the corner of South Florida Avenue + County Road 540A will open for care on Monday, March 10.
Real Estate
The owner of the Traders building on North Florida Avenue is selling it to anonymous buyers who plan to demolish it. Records show that the building is nearly a century old, but with it being located outside of a historic district without national recognition, it won’t be preserved. (LkldNow)
Cause
One More Child is adding one more name to its list of CEOs: Stephen Robert, who has worked with the organization for 15 years. Robert will take over the role of president + CEO from Dr. Jerry Haag, who will now serve as the CEO of One More Child Foundation.
Wellness
Go west, young yogis. This October, Yoga Pointe will host its first Zen in Zion Yoga Retreat in Utah’s Zion National Park. Attendees will join daily practices with panoramic views, hike the Narrows, or go canyoneering. Register by Saturday, March 15 for $200 off.
Network
Interested in joining United Way of Central Florida’s Women United group? The Women United Garden Party on Saturday, March 29 is open to current + prospective members. Connect with other local women and support the Success By 6 program by shopping and enjoying bites in a garden setting.
Pets
Polk County Bully Project will host its second Putts Fore Mutts Golf Tournament at Huntington Hills Golf Club on Friday, April 25. Sign up as a solo player or register your team and raise some green on the greens to benefit the nonprofit’s work to help dogs in need.
Number
30 cents. That’s how much it would set you back to buy a hot dog at a Detroit Tigers game during Spring Training in 1966. Also on the menu 60 years ago: 10-cent cigars, cold milk, and hamburgers — the cheese cost extra back then, too.
Students come from all over to call Florida Southern’s Wright-designed campus home. | Photo by @calgolden
Do you know a high school senior deciding on a college this spring? With five schools, Lakeland is the perfect place to make an education connection (sorry if this song is stuck in your head now).
Here’s what local undergrads major in + where you might find them working after getting their degrees, based on data from LinkedIn. Send this a student’s way to convince them to stay in town.
Florida Southern College | 3,300+ students
This college is known for its Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise. Mocs study subjects like art history, business administration, and applied mathematics + statistics. Likely to work at: Publix Super Markets headquarters
Southeastern University | 11,700+ students
Though well known for its ministry programs, SEU offers courses in a variety of fields, plus a new trades school. Degrees are available in programs like ministerial leadership, education, biochemistry, and project management. Likely to work at: Polk County Public Schools
An at-home golf simulator. Get back in the game before golf season starts with $100 off a Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator, which comes with a sensor that can fit into your own clubs and 38,000+ GPS-mapped golf courses to play. Fun fact: It was successfully funded on Kickstarter.
Have you heard of the Dubai chocolate trend that’s been popping off lately? Rogue Coffee just restocked these bars that are filled with spun pastry dough + fillings like pistachio or peanut butter. Hurry to try them before they sell out — just don’t get there before I do.
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