Get ready to hit this sports history lesson out of the park. | Screenshot via Google Maps
Lakeland is home to many iconic landmarks, from the Publix Cake Tower to Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. But when it comes to sports history, there’s perhaps no landmark that looms larger than the Joker Marchant Stadium.
Located off of Lakeland Hills Boulevard in north Lakeland, the stadium was built in 1966 on the former site of the Lodwick School of Aeronautics — a World War II flight school — to serve as the new Spring Training home for the Detroit Tigers, who had begun training in Swan City 32 years earlier in 1934.
Initial construction of the 4,900-seat ballpark cost $360,000 — around $3.57 million in 2025. The project was largely driven by former City of Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Marcus “Joker” Marchant, thus explaining the stadium’s unique name. You can find a statue of Marchant and Publix founder George Jenkins shaking hands outside the park.
Things have certainly changed at Joker Marchant Stadium since it came onto the Lakeland sports scene in the 1960s.
Photo by Reader Tom H., submitted for our 2023 Picture of the Year Contest
Since opening in 1966, the stadium has undergone numerous renovations to provide players and fans with modern amenities while paying homage to its past. The stadium most notably underwent a $47 million renovation in 2017 to include new features like a 360-degree walkable concourse, an interactive children’s play area, indoor/outdoor seating, and food + drink options.
Meanwhile, hangars from the Lodwick School have been repurposed for various uses by the team + the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the team’s Single-A affiliate, were named in honor of the stadium’s rich history.
In 2023, the City of Lakeland also approved a $33 million dormitory upgrade for the Tigers after they extended their contract with the city through December 2044, further solidifying the team’s relationship with Lakeland as the longest-standing between an MLB team and its spring host city.
Asked
Asked
Joker Marchant Stadium is the second-oldest ballpark still in use for Spring Training — which park is the oldest?
A. Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota B. LECOM Park in Bradenton C. TD Ballpark in Dunedin D. George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa
Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 p.m. | Joker Marchant Stadium | $17+ | Treat yourself to a ticket to the 34 Club for free food + drinks as the Tigers take on the Blue Jays.
The Generators | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Learn about advancements in AI technology that can help uncover your family history.
Tuesday, March 4
Garden Tasks That Wow | 10-11 a.m. | Lake Crago Recreational Center | Free | Take your garden to the next level this spring with ideas from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County + the City of Lakeland.
Golden Girls Trivia | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | Picture it, Keel Farms, 2025: You’ll be at this winery answering trivia questions about this classic sitcom — don’t forget to celebrate with cheesecake afterward.
Florida Philharmonia Orchestra Presents Master Works | 7:30 p.m. | St. Paul Lutheran Church | Free | Sit back + relax as this orchestra tantalizes your senses with classical works by Edward Elgar, Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and more.
Wednesday, March 5
A Self-Care Equation for Success | 8:30-11 a.m. | The Well | $25 | Entrepreneurs will learn practical strategies to prevent burnout + maintain wellness in this educational workshop.
Thursday, March 6
Night Market | 6-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, Winter Haven | Free+ | Pour your own drinks from the tap wall and shop unique finds from small businesses.
Friday, March 7
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.
Saturday, March 8
The Art of Tablescaping: A Discussion with Lydia Menzies | 9-11:30 a.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | $150 | Dig deep into the art of entertaining in this discussion with an acclaimed tablescape designer, followed by a reception, book signing, and tablescape viewing at the Junior League Building.
Absolute Queen | 7-10 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $31+ | Don’t stop them now — this tribute band will perform the greatest hits of Queen just like in the 1980s, costume changes and all.
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1 billion pounds. That’s how much food Publix has donated to food banks across the south since 2009 — enough to fill 22,223 packed Publix haulers. The milestone comes after the grocer donated a record 115 million pounds of food last year alone. Now that’s a lot of Pub Subs.(LkldNow)
Tech
Spectrum has expanded its Internet, mobile, TV, and voice services to ~4,900 additional Polk County homes + small businesses. The expansion comes as a part of the company’s $7 billion Rural Construction Initiative. Now that’s “life unlimited”.
Family
Get schooled on everything Polk County Public Schools at the district’s family engagement conference this Saturday, March 8, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kathleen High School. Attendees can expect a free day of workshops on district offerings, plus door prizes, free childcare, and complimentary refreshments + lunch.
Number
15,034. That’s how many days paratransit operator Barbara Rogers worked in public service for Citrus Connection — the equivalent of 41 years. After retiring from the transit service last week, Rogers was honored with a specialty bus wrap + a key to the city from Mayor Mutz to celebrate her accomplishments.
Mansion Monday
Overlooking the greens of the Grasslands Golf & Country Club, this 3,977-sqft waterfront home is a true Florida paradise. With spacious indoor + outdoor living areas, plus a separate wing for the primary bedroom, you’ll have your own private oasis — all while being within minutes of Lakeside Village.
Arts
Artists Caroline + Laurie Hart have opened a new art gallery at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale. The HART Gallery is open for guests to browse or purchase tropical-themed artwork, featuring everything from mermaids to manatees. Pro tip: Get hands-on instruction from the Harts at the resort’s next sip and paint class.
Cause
Florida Southern will host “An Evening with the Queens” at the AGB on Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m., featuring a dinner and conversation with the current Miss America and former titleholders. Tickets start at $250 and will benefit scholarships for young women through the Miss Florida Organization.
Kids
Ready, get set, spike. Polk State College will host a youth volleyball clinic on select Sundays in April and May at the Winter Haven Campus. Athletes ages 8-14 can sign up for sessions where they’ll receive individualized instruction before applying their skills in a 6x6 match. Secure your child’s spot.
Feel Good
If we see Polk County local Czar Glanton in the 2036 NFL draft, we won’t be surprised. The 9-year-old Haines City native and his mother received tickets to Super Bowl LIX last month on the “Jennifer Hudson Show” after going viral for executing football drills in their front yard. (Bay News 9)
Health
Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two, making speech clearer and crisper by processing speech and noise separately. No wonder 540,000+ customers love them.*
Number
5. That’s how many minutes it takes to read a 1440 daily newsletter — catching you up on unbiased, fact-based news in politics, business, sports, culture, and more. Subscribe now.*
The Buy
The Buy
Your favorite spring shoe. We know, the magic word: spring. Visualize your next few months and try not to sprint away from winter as you choose the staple shoe best for you:
👟 Nordstrom stocked up on new colors of the beloved Veja Campo sneaker + New Balance’s 327 Sneaker.
👟 The hardware addition makes this new — and 20% off — strappy chunky heel anything but basic.
👟 Pair these under $40 clear slide sandals with virtually any color dress for springtime occasions.
👟 Ease into comfy hours with the Ugg Tasman Slipper’s cousin — the Buree Slipper.
👟 Lululemon’s plush slides are engineered with a grippy non-slip sole.
ICYMI, Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard has reopened under new ownership in north Lakeland’s Market Square Shopping Center. If you’re looking for a sweet treat fix, the biz is currently in soft opening mode + dishing out delectable delights daily from 2 to 8 p.m. I may or may not be planning my next order of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Mudslide concrete as we speak.
