You’ll find one of Florida’s final four drive-in movie theaters here, plus a whole lot of history. | Photo via Discover Dade City
If you’ve been reading LALtoday for a while now, you’re probably a Lakeland pro, but have you explored any of our nearby cities? Drive an hour northwest of Lakeland for a taste of “Old Florida” in Dade City.
Are you a hero or a villain? Create a character and go back in time at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival.
Photo by LALtoday
What to do
While Dade City may seem sleepy, it’s big on exciting events. Head there every weekend through Sunday, March 30 for the Bay Area Renaissance Festival to watch jousting tournaments or try archery (costumes strongly recommended). Then, snag a ticket to Saigon Night Market’s first Spring Floating Lantern Festival happening this Saturday, March 15 to let lanterns fly free.
Nature lovers will enjoy Giraffe Ranch, where you can encounter giraffes, cheetahs, pygmy hippos, and more wild animals. For a more lowkey experience, don’t miss the Dade City Garden Club’s free Monarch Butterfly Festival on Saturday, April 5.
You’ll want to stick around for dinner at Kafe Kokopelli, where the menu changes seasonally and every item is made in-house.
What to eat
Start your day early with a salted honey latte + cinnamon roll from Treehouse Mercantile before shopping the store’s handmade ceramics. For a heartier morning meal, visit Green Door on 8th for Sunday brunch, complete with fried green tomatoes Benedict and mascarpone French toast.
When lunch rolls around, hit up Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant. Don’t let this buffet-style diner fool you — it’s rated the No. 1 restaurant in Dade City on Tripadvisor, where locals rave about its fried chicken and red velvet cake.
Finally, finish your Dade City trip with dinner at Kafe Kokopelli. Located inside a former Model T showroom with an eclectic, vintage ambiance, it’s the perfect place to unwind over a glass of wine + goat cheese cheesecake.
Polk County Roundnet Pickup | 5:30-8 p.m. | Hunt Fountain Park | Free | Gather ‘round to play this outdoor sport with new friends.
Live Trivia with Tower 10 Burgers | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Smash the other trivia teams while eating a craft smash burger from the Tower 10 truck.
Adult Hockey Clinic | 9:45-10:45 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena | $15+ | Sign up to drop in and work on your hockey shooting and passing.
Thursday, March 13
Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Thursday, March 13-Saturday, March 15 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | $8+ | Quilters will find everything they need for their craft with three days of exhibits, cutting-edge classes, and shopping.
“Birth of the Citrus Flavor Industry in Central Florida” | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Florida Polytechnic’s Dr. Robert Kryger will share a presentation on his book as part of the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s Lecture Series.
Friday, March 14
Luck of the Irish Event | 5-8 p.m. | Decades Reclaimed Vintage Depot | Price of purchase | Shop discounted vendor booths, get 10% off a regular-priced item, and get Decades Dollars back to spend another day.
Pour Your Own Epoxy | 6-8 p.m. | Tienda Studio | $139 | A pro will show you how to pour a river of Epoxy in a charcuterie board for your kitchen.
Avelo Airlines announced yesterday that it will start flights from LAL to Long Island, NY on Thursday, June 12 with flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will also begin to Grand Rapids, MI on Friday, June 13 with service on Fridays and Mondays. Tickets are already available.
Ranked
No. 14. That’s where Polk County ranked on SmartAsset’s list of Florida counties with the most gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024. The county’s GDP grew by $4,504 over one year, and the number of businesses grew by 14.1%. Nationally, Polk ranked No. 82.
Traffic
A portion of East Edgewood Drive from South Florida Avenue to Carolina Avenue will be closed for milling tomorrow, March 13, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. After milling is done, the stretch will be repaved from Monday, March 17-Friday, March 21 during daylight hours.
Number
$1.5 million. That’s how much grant funding the City of Winter Haven received from the Florida Department of Commerce, which will cover half the cost to construct a new rail spur between industrial parks. Officials hope the development will draw in key businesses and reduce trucks on roads. (The Ledger)
Film
It’s lights, camera, action at The Brass Tap as it becomes the backdrop for a new movie. Chicago author Rick Cutts is turning his novel “Stratagem” into a film, using Lakeland businesses as sets. Production wraps soon, with the movie set to release this fall. (Spectrum News 13)
Biz
Look out, AGB Museum — Levy’s Imperial Tire & Auto Service is giving you a run for your money. The tire shop is known for its art collections by owner Levy Harrison and his friend, Highwaymen member Robert Butler. It’s free + open to the public to browse the paintings.
Asked
Tampa is celebrating National Music Month by placing pianos around its downtown area that anyone can play. Does Lakeland need a public piano of its own? Let us know where you’d like to see one, whether it’s in a park or a parking garage. (Bay News 9)
Watch
Goonies never say die. The Silver Moon Drive-In is throwing it back to the 1980s with showings of “The Goonies” from Friday, March 14 to Thursday, March 20. Catch it nightly at 8:15 p.m., followed by new release “Mickey 17.”
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Job
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Category
Health
There’s a new team in town
The hospital is currently under construction off of Lakeland Highlands Road. | Rendering provided by Watson Clinic
Orlando Health is partnering up with Watson Clinic for its new hospital. Now known as Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, the collaborative medical facility is set to open in June 2026.
In a press release, Watson Clinic said that experts from both organizations are working together to design the building, select technology, and plan health services. This will be one of Orlando Health’s first forays into Lakeland healthcare, but Watson Clinic has been serving Lakelanders since 1941.
While opening day is still more than a year away, take a look ahead at what’s planned, by the numbers:
300+ inpatient beds
69 emergency and observation beds
8 labor + delivery rooms
25 postpartum obstetric rooms
18 intensive care unit beds
11 operating rooms
The Buy
The Buy
A pair of buttery soft joggers. They’re available in 16 different colors, including posh pastels like pink suede and mint green that are perfect for spring.
Where did your Lakeland lore begin? Think back to a place where you felt like a “true” Lakelander, or the first thing you did when you moved to town. Followers are sounding off with ideas like Mister Fish, the Cobb Theater, and Spec’s Music. Share yours.
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