Read up on where to get new reads during the Lakeland Book Crawl. | Photo by @littlebusbooks
Independent bookstore owners throughout Swan City are joining forces for the next installment in the Lakeland Book Crawl series. This year, the crawl will be abridged into three days: Thursday, April 24-Saturday, April 26. Keep reading to see how you can, well, keep reading.
Inklings Book Shoppe has moved downtown as of 2024.
Photo by LALtoday
Instead of getting discounts at a different bookseller each day of the crawl as in years past, you can find these deals at participating stores from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day:
Little Bus Books | Instead of discounts, 50% of proceeds will go to Literacy Landing at Hope House.
Plan your route using this handy map with each bookshop’s location. Pro tip: Start your shopping spree at Bookends, where you can pick up a Book Crawl Passport and get it stamped at each store you visit.
Find Crash Bookshop at Somos Church to end the crawl with a bang.
The crawl culminates in the grand finale event at Crash Bookshop on Saturday, April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bookworms can mingle with store owners, local authors, and book club hosts over their love of reading.
Remember those passports? Bring yours to the finale — the more stamps you have, the higher your chances of winning prizes, and those who visit all seven stores will get an exclusive completion prize.
Asked
Asked
What other kind of crawl does Lakeland need?
A. Coffee crawl — let’s get jittery B. Bakery crawl — a cruffin hates to see me coming C. Pub(lix) crawl — skip the beer, just give me a sub D. Something else
Make and Take: Terrarium Gardens | 6-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing | $25 | Create a jungle-in-a-jar by choosing plants and adding soil — supplies are provided, but spots are limited.
BINGO Night | 6-8 p.m. | Bowen Yard, Winter Haven | Free+ | Grab tacos, oysters, or ice cream from the food hall before settling in for a game under the stars.
Thursday, April 24
Gallery Concert Series | 7-8 p.m. | Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | $38+ | Music + visual art combine at the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s performances within featured exhibits.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders | 11 a.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $9+ | The ballpark will be filled with Polk County third graders for this morning game — grown-ups can play Pick the Stick to have their own fun.
Friday, April 25
18th Annual Swan Derby | 5:30-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror | Free+ | Don your derby best to support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine with swan boat racing, live music, food trucks, and more.
FDOT is considering a project along County Line Road + US-92 to improve traffic and safety around the CSX railroad. Give your thoughts in the public meeting on Thursday, April 24, 5-7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Lakeland or the virtual webinar on Tuesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. (The Ledger)
Travel
That’s not the only big project seeking your input. Lakeland International Airport will hold a public meeting to discuss its Terminal Area Master Plan tomorrow, April 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. Head to the airport to share your thoughts on the terminal’s future, including passenger facilities and parking.
Mansion Monday
From its terracotta tile roof and arched entryways to its indoor courtyard, this 5-bedroom Spanish Colonial home is calling our name. This nearly 5,000-sqft stunner is dripping with personality — plus, it’s in a prime location right in the center of town. Take a tour.
Number
11,000. That’s how many members have found community in the Lakeland Mom Facebook group. Now, April Mucci — the “Lakeland Mom” herself — has created her own platform. Local Moms + More, an online resource where Polk County mothers, caregivers, and women can connect, is now open to founding members. (LkldNow)
Kids
Summer will be here before you know it, but there are already family events to put on each month of your calendar. Start on a sweet note with the Florida Children’s Museum Watermelon Festival on Saturday, May 3, and plan ahead for Lakeside Village’s Kids Club events happening June-August.
Biz
What’s the most incredible product made here in Lakeland? The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce invites you to submit local nominations to the Florida Chamber’s “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” initiative. Nominate your own biz or another making big moves — we’ll start you off with some ideas.
Community
Join Lakeland Regional Health’s Stroke Care Summit. This two-day event covers the latest in stroke care, prevention, and recovery. The Clinical Summit on May 1 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is for healthcare professionals, and the Community Summit on May 2 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) is open to everyone.*
Edu
Florida Southern College’s Day of Giving kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22. The 36-hour campaign supports initiatives like athletics, restoration of iconic Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and scholarships to make education more accessible.*
A pair of versatile men’s pants that offer a stylish, yet relaxed fit. Whether it’s for work, on the golf course, or a date night, these straight fit pants are crafted with premium, four-way stretch fabric for a refined look that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Speaking of Hakucho, I got a sneak peek of downtown’s newest eatery over the weekend. You can expect a full recap from us soon (plus an official opening date), but I can see this becoming Lakeland’s next hotspot — I see plenty of lacto-fries with anchovy sauce in my future.
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