Find the perfect gift to express gratitude and love for the role models in your life. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shopping for a loved one? With Mother’s Day falling on Sunday, May 11, it’s a great time to give to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends. Browse the gifts we think will do the trick:
Custom initial jewelry dish | $16.99 | A sweet, delicate ceramic jewelry tray you can customize with their initial.
Local pick:Celebrate Lakeland tote bag | $36 | Show off your Lakeland love when you’re out and about with this oversized tote bag, perfect for those farmers market produce hauls.
Weighted silk lavender eye pillow | $19.99 | A silk sleep mask and a cooling gel eye mask are included in this spa set named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023.
Golf practice net | $99.99 | Golfers can perfect their swing before stepping out on the course with this golf net great for backyards, basements, or even the living room.
Barefoot Dreams lounge top | $99 | There may be no better gift than something luxuriously soft, cuddly, and cozy — this lounge top fits the bill.
Mom’s story book and Dad’s story book | $24.95 | Prompt them to write down memories, advice, and stories in these guided journals.
Local pick:Permanent jewelry | $20+ | Your love is forever, and now your rings, bracelets, or necklaces can be too. Book an appointment at Tennessee Jane to get linked together — walk-ins are also welcome.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey | $25 | You don’t have to worry about this lipstick flattering them — Black Honey is designed to look incredible (and different) on everyone.
Prepare for the Unexpected Finance Workshop | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Talk money with a pro from Edward Jones, who will share strategies for preparing for financial emergencies.
Andy Shreeve | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Grab a craft pint from the brewery and a pizza slice from Gizzy’s of Nutley while taking in a concert by this local musician.
Trivia Thursdays | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Smith’s American Tavern | Free+ | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia, then celebrate (or console) with butter cake + ice cream.
Friday, May 2
Brimer & Brixa Album Release Concert | 7 p.m. | Gram Parsons Derry Down, Winter Haven | $20 | Local guitarists David Brimer and Marcus Brixa will perform songs from their second studio album, “Sandcastle Sazerac.”
RnB Night | 8 p.m. | Black Swan Venue | $30 | DJ Les and MC RG are back to spin slow jams and today’s top tracks.
Saturday, May 3
Yoga in the Vines | 10 a.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $15 | Nicci from British Yoga Babe will lead you through a class for all levels, and tickets include a free drink voucher.
Mayfaire by-the-Lake is a weekend of fun and fine arts for all ages.
Mayfaire by-the-Lake, one of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida, returns to the shores of Lake Morton on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-11.
Hosted by the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art and presented by Citizens Bank & Trust and The Ruthvens, this local celebration has come a long way since starting as a small craft fair on the Lakeland Public Library Lawn in 1971. The weekend now includes:
150+ artist booths to view + shop, from paintings and sculptures to hand-crafted jewelry
Free hands-on art activities for children of all ages + abilities at the Mayfaire Kids Zone, sponsored by Publix Super Market Charities
“Kids Collect,” a kids-only tent for young art lovers to purchase donated artwork at nominal prices
The two-day event is free + open to the public. Use the visitors’ guide to plan your day, and find out why Sunshine Artist Magazine has ranked Mayfaire among its “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row.
The countdown is on until the fifth Swan City Piano Festival begins with a preview on Thursday, May 29. Admission is free, but reservations open today to guarantee a spot at concerts, master classes, and kids’ events planned from Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8.
Stat
13.7%. That’s how much of Polk County’s population qualified as food insecure, according to the latest statistics from 2022. With needs rising, local organizations like One More Child and Feeding Tampa Bay are stepping in to help. Find a food pantry where you can receive aid or volunteer. (LkldNow)
Active
Run, Lakeland, run. Future cross country superstars can sign up for the Lakeland Runners Club’s Summer Development Program for rising 5th-8th graders. The free program kicks off at Bonnet Springs Park on Thursday, June 12 and runs through October.
Film
Sunday is May the Fourth, an annual celebration for “Star Wars” fans. Watch the original trilogy in order on Sunday at the Polk Theatre, with $5 showings starting at 2, 5, and 8 p.m. Start working on your Chewbacca impression, because costumes are encouraged.
Try This
Forget the ill-fated Fyre Festival, there’s a hot new ticket in town. Bok Tower Gardens will host its own Fire Festival tomorrow, May 2, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a chair to enjoy the musical talents of The Byrne Bros. and fiery acts by The Circus Arts Place performers.
Eat
There’s plenty to celebrate this weekend at Cob & Pen. Stop by on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 for Kentucky Derby and “Star Wars"-themed cocktails (peach mint julep, anyone?). The party keeps rolling into Monday, May 5 with Cinco de Mayo food + drink specials.
Concert
The Marshall Tucker Band will make a stop at the RP Funding Center for its “All Our Friends Tour,” and tickets go on sale today for the big show on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Southern rock band first played the former Lakeland Civic Center 50 years ago in 1975.
Asked
It’s graduation season in Swan City, with thousands of students crossing the stage and moving their tassels soon. Were you a Lakeland graduate back in the day? Send us your photos from your high school or college graduation and we may share them with readers.
Biz
Did you miss the chance to feature your business’s product or service in today’s feature of the 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide? Don’t worry — you can still secure your spot in time for Father’s Day. Bonus: Use code PGG2025 for 20% at checkout.
Stat
$5,000. That’s how much you may have to drop if your dog or cat tears their ACL — a surprisingly common knee injury in pets. To the rescue: pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that cost could be reimbursed.*
Biz
Last chance to invest in the “Uber of mobile phones.”Mode Mobile grew 32,481% from 2019-2022, and just secured their Nasdaq ticker with plans for a potential IPO. The opportunity to invest at $0.26/share closes today.†*
Number
540,000+. That’s how many customers choose this hearing aid when it comes time to make that decision for their loved ones. See why.*
Last week, we shared about the viral Dubai chocolate bars with a pistachio and pastry dough filling, and it turns out readers were hungry for more. Here are three more places to try this trendy treat:
Andrew Logans Confections | The bars here are unique, with butter-toasted phyllo dough and a housemade pistachio paste without artificial colors or preservatives. Andrew Logans makes the bars at Catapult and sells them at Market on Kentucky.
Jerusalem Mediterranean Market | According to follower @christinemilthaler, you can stock up on bars “that are fantastic” at this Edgewood Drive market, along with more international grocery items.
bodega Market | Stop into this downtown general store for plenty of locally made goods, plus pistachio-filled Dubai chocolate, recommended by @elisabet_ c.e.
Swim trunks with pockets. These quick-drying swimsuit trunks have a hidden pocket built into an anti-chafe compression liner — perfect for keeping phones, keys, and cash safe on beach days.
I went to Cob & Pen’s trivia night this week for the first time in a while, and it turned out to be the end of the season when quarterly winners were announced. If you’re looking to become a regular somewhere, head there each Monday at 7:30 p.m. for fun times + happy hour prices.
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