And nothing completes a party like ice cream. Fill up a cup, go for a cone, or shake things up with a milkshake this weekend at local ice cream parlors.
Lakeland Ice Cream Company
Red, white, and blue ice cream will be available at all of this shop’s locations, from north and south Lakeland to Auburndale and Polk City.
When it comes to ice cream, we say go big or go home.
Photo by LALtoday
Mayday Ice Cream
If you can’t decide, order a flight of your favorite six ice cream flavors (we always get the Parent Trap, Aviator, and Cloud 9).
Bright Ice
It’s the perfect time to taste test the two new seasonal flavors: peach crisp + strawberry pretzel pie.
Warm, frozen, sweet, doughy — the croque glace has it all.
Photo by LALtoday
Mootown Scoops
Order chocolatey Gator Trail ice cream in a croque glace — aka ice cream pressed in a warm brioche bun.
Mimi’s Italian Ice
Both locations are closed today, so stop in tomorrow for the dairy-free, gluten-free flavors of the day.
Independence Day Celebration | 2:30-10 p.m. | Mosaic Park, Bartow | Free+ | Celebrate with an afternoon picnic, local country music performers, family activities, and a veteran’s salute before the 9:10 p.m. fireworks extravaganza.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Dunedin Blue Jays | 5 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $12+ | Stay after the game to celebrate Independence Day with a stunning fireworks show over the field.
Sangria Night | 5-10 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Flavor and fun await at this event featuring Latin music, sangria flights, and dancing.
4th Of July Karaoke | 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Sing your anthems loud and proud + enjoy $4 drink specials at the bar.
City of Auburndale Fireworks | 9 p.m. | Lake Ariana, Auburndale | Free | Bring a chair to watch fireworks over the lake — remember, areas around the boat ramp are closed for construction.
Saturday, July 5
Summer Naturalists | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Branch out and investigate tree rings and seed diversity in the Nature Center.
Docent-Led Tour | 1-2 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | Register for an informative guided tour of the museum’s featured exhibition with a passionate docent.
Red, White & No Boom | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Price of purchase | Keep it fireworks-free at this dog-friendly happy hour featuring a new drink release from High Noon.
Sunday, July 6
Dixieland Mid-Day Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Start your week off on the right foot by shopping from local makers + bakers, then heading inside for a themed brunch and entertainment.
Pottery Class: Artsy Animals | Sunday, July 6, Sunday, July 20 | 2-4 p.m. | Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio | $100 | Use a mold to create a dog, cat, frog, and more out of clay in a two-part class.
Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 249 years since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Round up the kids, friends, or just yourself and head to these local celebrations.
Development
The City of Lake Wales is seeking a new developer to restore its Walesbilt Hotel to its former glory. The downtown hotel, built in 1926 with Mediterranean influences, has been empty for decades. If you’re the one for the job, respond to the Request for Qualifications by Friday, July 18. (The Ledger)
Shop
In honor of Independence Day, there is no First Friday event downtown tonight, but you can still support your favorite local vendors by shopping at the Downtown Farmers Curb Market tomorrow, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Pro tip: It’s the last month to shop before the market takes its August hiatus.
Award
Palace Southside received the Marchio Ospitalità Italiana seal from the Federation of Italian Chambers of Commerce. The restaurant earned the recognition by meeting “strict standards of quality, authenticity, and excellence.” Celebrate this weekend with chicken parmigiana + tiramisu.
Eat
If you prefer your pastries patriotic, you’re in luck. Born & Bread Bakehouse is open today from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. so you can start your holiday with a treat — we recommend the American Dream bostock topped with strawberries + blueberries.
Mailbag
When you subscribed, you may have received an email asking for your favorite nearby restaurant — and yes, we’ve been reading every response. Reader Paul H. said this: ”Hi, myfavorite local restaurant is Good Thyme. Can’t get enough of their chicken sandwich.”
Drink
Fill your mug-gle with a new drink from Haven Coffee Roaster’s Harry Potter-themed menu. Beverages like the Butterbeer latte and Gryffindor punch are only available for a limited time, so take the Hogwarts Express over to the Winter Haven cafe to try them all.
Before there was Red, White & Kaboom, there was Lakeland’s Grand Picnic. Check out this ad from 1902 where “the people of Tampa” were invited to celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks show over Lake Morton. Don’t worry about any swans — this was well before they had found their home there.
Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Between ice cream, hot dogs, and patriotic pastries, did we hit all the bases for classic Fourth of July foods today? I hope you have a great time celebrating today — unless you voted that a hot dog is a sandwich.
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