Meet community organizations and join free activities at every downtown Lakeland First Friday event. | Photo by LALtoday
You never forget your first... or your second... or your third. By always happening on the same days, these monthly events in historic districts make it easy to keep your calendar stacked.
Last Friday
Finish off August with a trip to McCall Park in downtown Plant City, where you’ll find exhibitors, a kids’ zone, shopping, and food trucks from 5 to 9 p.m. Pro tip: Tonight’s event is superhero-themed, so wear the cape.
First Friday
Head to Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland for a themed vendor market, a car show, food trucks, and family entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. The Sept. 5 First Friday theme is “Septober Fest,” featuring plenty of pretzels + polka.
Over in Winter Haven, you can eat, drink, and shop your way around downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. Find an outdoor market in Central Park, plus specials and al fresco dining at restaurants.
Navika World Kannada Summit | Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | $250 | Celebrate Kannada culture with entertainment, educational conferences, and celebrity appearances.
LKLD Indie Super Bash | Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Union Hall | $10+ | It’s all about indie music and art at this three-day music festival.
Wheel Throwing - 6 Week Pottery Class | Friday, Aug. 29-Friday, Oct. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio | $400 | You’re in for a wheel-y fun series where you’ll learn the foundations of pottery building.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Jimmy Buffett Weekend | Saturday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | Free+ | Fins up for a jam-packed weekend full of family activities, a golf cart parade, a foam party, and toasts to Buffett.
West Coast Swing Workshop | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Just Dance Academy | $15+ | West Coast Swing Champion Danielle Blouin will teach swing skills before open social dancing + a ladies styling workshop.
Meraki Bakehouse Pop-up | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Catapult | Price of purchase | Grab pastries and breakfast items to-go, or eat them on the Catapult patio if you just can’t wait.
Indoor Vendor Fair | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pressed | Price of purchase | Shop this pop-up for permanent jewelry, macarons, goat milk soap, and vintage clothing.
Jon Corneal’s 79th Birthday Show | 4 p.m. | Gram Parsons Derry Down, Winter Haven | $20 | Celebrate the legendary music career of this local artist with a show full of special guests + birthday cake.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Public Skate | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena | $15+ | Beat the heat by ice skating around Lakeland’s only real ice arena.
Nourish helps you develop healthy habits that last — all over telehealth and covered by your insurance. | Photo via Nourish
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay out of pocket to talk to a dietitian through Nourish — an easy-to-use platform that connects you with the right care to support your health goals.
Nourish helps match you with a Registered Dietitian for telehealth appointments, so you can access hyper-personalized, clinical-grade nutrition care that’s right for your health journey.
This is notta drill — a “quirky” art gallery is coming downtown to June Taylor’s former space. Browse high-end and affordable pieces at Notta Gallery’s soft opening on Friday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. before its official opening on Thursday, Sept. 18. (LkldNow)
Health
Need a tissue? Watson Clinic will open Flu Clinics at four of its Lakeland locations on Monday, Sept. 8. Drop by the Main and South campuses Monday-Friday, or visit the Highlands and North Pediatrics clinics on Fridays to get flu shots from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Real Estate
New home construction is on a downswing in much of Florida, with Lakeland seeing a 27.3% decrease since last year. If you’re a fan of the oldies, check out this 100-year-old Spanish Revival home in Beacon Hill. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Number
34.4 million. That’s the record-breaking number of people who visited Florida from April to June. Of those, 91.5% were domestic travelers from other parts of the country. Plan a trip of your own without leaving Lakeland — we know the perfect place to stay. (WFTS)
Lakelanders
It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, and The Ledger highlighted two locals who helped make a difference. For two weeks, Joel Hunter worked with a Louisiana rescue operation that saved ~8,500 animals, and Kirk Fasshauer was part of a mental health counseling unit in Mississippi.
Edu
Bonnet Springs Park is introducing Homeschool Days, monthly events where families can drop in for hands-on, educational activities. Plan a “field trip” to the first one on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to learn about biology at the Boathouse.
Best-selling activewear and everyday apparel up to 60% off? Athleta’s taking an extra 30% off sale items now through Monday, Sept. 1. Shop the sale.*
Asked
Asked
If you were buying a home, which would you choose?
A. Historic home — the more character, the better B. New construction — move-in ready, please C. Fixer-upper — it’s okay if it’s a few years old D. Apartment or condo — I’d love to downsize
The sun is setting on another month, just like it does here over Lake Hollingsworth. | Photo by @d.r.shoots_
Did you know we keep tabs on what you engage with the most to make sure our newsletter is always packed with what you want to see? Look back at what you loved most over this past month.
Top City Guide
What can we say? Our readers are givers. Consider our volunteer guide a gift back to you.
Top Article
You love a throwback — stroll down memory lane with our roundup of summer photos from the Lakeland Public Library’s archives.
Top News Note
More than 100 court checks + civil cash bonds are waiting to be returned to their rightful owners. Check for your name on the list before Monday, Sept. 1.
Top Mansion Monday
All of our jaws dropped at this family compound with four independent residences, a 12,000-sqft main house, a beach-entry pool + a massive mudroom.
Top Asked
Did you get this one right? Readers made their best guesses of which dog breed is Florida’s most popular.
The Buy
Meridian’s original hair trimmer, now 40% off for Labor Day. This unisex shaver was built for beards, chest, legs, and bikini lines, is 100% waterproof, and was top rated by Elle, Esquire, GQ, and Forbes. Psst — Shop tons of great markdowns like this one while Labor Day sales last.
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.
It’s so interesting to see what our readers are clicking on each morning. The runners up for your favorite News Notes were both restaurant announcements — and I’m just as excited about the news of Ellianos Coffee + CAVA coming to Lakeland soon.
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