The Fancy Flea | Friday, July 18-Saturday, July 19 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $8+ | Shop vintage home and garden goods at this market, voted one of the best in the country — parking is free.
Meddlin’ Kids Presents: Toon Turn Up | 7 p.m. | Union Hall | $15+ | Throw it back to the days of Saturday morning cartoons with nostalgic music, cereal-inspired cocktails, and late-night TV shows.
“Catch Me If You Can” | Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 27 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre | $26+ | Catch LCT’s performances of this high-flying musical comedy “live in living color.”
Saturday, July 19
Summer Naturalists | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Create a species map of BSP’s native wildlife and get to know them through family activities.
Flower Power Garden Fest | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Parkesdale Farm Market, Plant City | Price of purchase | It’s the market’s final day before summer break — celebrate with plant vendors, food trucks, and crafts.
Tiki Takeover | 5:30-9 p.m. | Bowen Yard, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | Cool off with tropical cocktails and menu items before things heat up with a fire dancer performance.
Sunday, July 20
Dixieland Mid-Day Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Union Hall | Price of purchase | Start your week off on the right foot by shopping from local makers + bakers, then head inside for a themed brunch and entertainment.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers | 12 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $11+ | Watch the game in style by joining brunch in the ’34 Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Food Truck Wars | 12-5 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Keel Farms’ Sisimoto food truck will go bumper to bumper with another local truck to see which gets the most orders.
Family Day: Pokémon Go Edition | 3:30 p.m. | Lakeland Square Mall | Free | The Rose Dynasty Foundation hosts this gathering — meet at the food court and walk the mall together hunting for digital creatures.
If you opt into outage alerts, be sure to enter the information associated with your Lakeland Electric account(text REG to 21592 to register for alerts).
One randomly chosen winner will be announced here in our newsletter on Thursday, July 31.
In the meantime, make sure you’re up to date on generator safety:
Never run a generator indoors
Keep your generator dry + never use it in the rain
Only use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated, and properly grounded extension cords
Keep generators at least 20 feet away from your home, garage, or any enclosed spaces
Turn the generator off and let it cool down before adding fuel
The CSX railroad crossing at North Florida Avenue (between Pine Street + Main Street) will close for construction at 4 a.m. tomorrow, July 19. Take a detour down Harden-Sikes Boulevard to the west before it reopens late Tuesday, July 22.
Civic
The city has filed to foreclose on the Hartsell + Montgomery Ward buildings that have sat vacant downtown for years, racking up code violations. If a judge rules in the city’s favor, officials hope that developers will buy and restore the buildings to bring them back into compliance. (LkldNow)
Edu
Get fired up. Southeastern University has been named a 2025-26 College of Distinction based on student engagement, teaching, community vibrancy, and student outcomes. SEU also received special recognition for its business, nursing, and education programs, as well as affordability.
Opening
Here’s some dining news 4U. Pan 4U Latin Bakery & Restaurant will open another location at 7331 US Hwy. 98 N., just north of Duff Road. The new spot — with a full Puerto Rican restaurant and more space — will open on Saturday, July 26 at 8 a.m. (Business Debut)
Plan Ahead
Polk County will host its first major Hispanic leadership conference this fall when the Conferencia de Transformacion Latinoamericana takes place at Southeastern University. Tickets are now available for the event on Saturday, Sept. 6, featuring guest speakers like Martha Santiago, Dr. Angela Falconetti, and Teresa Martínez.
Family
The next school year is right around the corner, and Polk County Public Schools has released pro tips to know before it begins. Don’t forget these dates: K-8, middle, and high school orientation is on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and elementary school orientation is on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Drink
Find summer-ready sips at Tea Largo, where Mango Fest is running through National Mango Day on Tuesday, July 22. Expect a rotation of daily deals + specials featuring the fruit, from mango pineapple bowls to mango dragon lemonade.
Answered
Which local topic are you an expert on? Nearly half of respondents told us they know all about the best food + drink in town. Stay up to date on all the latest openings and announcements with our Restaurant Roundup.
Eat
The 2nd Annual Polk County Burger Week kicks off today. Now through Sunday, July 27, get proof that Central Florida is rooted in flavor with unique burgers all over the region, and toppings from mac and cheese to peanut butter. Dig into the local lineup.*
37,125. That’s how many potential candidates are looking at this right now. Ready to promote your job listing to find your dream hire? It’s absolutely free on our LALtoday Job Board. List it now.
Correction
Anybody have a time machine? Yesterday, we shared the incorrect date for the first Lakeland Vintage Market — mark your calendar for Saturday, July 26 from 12 to 5 p.m. (not June 26). Shout out to our shopping-ready readers who pointed this out.
Category
Watch
👻 Did anyone else feel a chill?
The Southgate sign is a star in its own right, serving as a backdrop for two feature films. | Photo by Joe Castagno
It certainly wasn’t the July weather, so it can only mean one thing: it’s Summerween. For those already looking ahead to autumn and tempted to put up their pumpkin decor prematurely, satisfy your need for scares with these thrillers + chillers filmed in Lakeland.
“Edward Scissorhands”
Eccentric director Tim Burton used Lakeland as a setting for this cult classic. Eagle-eyed viewers can spot the Southgate Shopping Center arch in several scenes.
“China Moon”
Ed Harris leads this crime thriller as a detective — don’t worry, no spoilers here. It was shot on location in both Lakeland and Bartow.
“Endure”
Lakelander Joe O’Brienwrote and directed this thriller in which a detective must track down a missing woman in Central Florida. Judd Nelson filmed scenes on location in and around Lakeland.
“Shakma”
Horror movie fans may have seen this flick featuring a baboon on a rampage. You can see the downtown Marble Arcade in the opening shots.
No more gatekeeping. These are our top five summer essentials we wish we’d purchased sooner:
🩴 A pair of comfy + versatile Crocs sandals. Pro tip: Keep them by the front door for last-minute errands, walking the dog, and more.
🧊This No. 1 best-selling cooler backpack that features a built-in bottle opener and can fit up to 40 cans.
🧺 A waterproof blanket that’s perfect for beach days, family picnics, baby playtime, and more.
☀️ La Roche-Posay’s award-winning tinted sunscreen that’s non-greasy and fast-absorbing.
👗This flowy sundress that’s available in 20+ colors and patterns like blue floral, pink, khaki polka dot, and purple.
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.
Listen up, tiki bar fans — I spotted construction on Main Street this week that looks promising. ICYMI, the city approved a bar in the former dart arena below Lakeland Loft back in 2023, and owner Soloman Wassef had planned to create a patio similar to Black & Brew’s next door. My eyes are peeled for updates.
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