The ball takes place outdoors, so dress casual and warm. | Photo via Lakeland Margarita Ball
Helping local kids,sipping tasty cocktails, and enjoying live entertainment with a lakeside view? You can do it all at the Lakeland Margarita Ball. Marg your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 22, when the Lakeland Margarita Society’s annual soiree takes over the Frances Langford Promenade after dark.
No need for new formalwear — this may be a ball, but it’s a casual affair. Admission includes complimentary margaritas, hors d’oeuvres, and music by MPiRE Band, so you can eat, drink, and be merry all night long.
Tickets include margaritas, beer, and small bites — check out last year’s vendors.
Tickets are available online or at Tuckers’ Southside Package & Lounge for $45; those sold at the door will be $80. In addition, guests are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for a child valued at $15 or more.
These gifts, plus proceeds from ticket sales, will be donated to local charities to give kids happy memories this holiday season. Past recipients include the Boys & Girls Club, Peace River Center, and the Salvation Army.
The Detroit Tigers will return to Lakeland in February for another spring training season at Joker Marchant Stadium. Plan ahead for the first home game on Feb. 22, plus an exhibition game against Team Panama on March 4. (Detroit Free Press)
Show
Bad news, band fans. Next week’s US Air Force Jazz Band concert at Florida Southern and the US Army Band concert at the RP Funding Center have been canceled. Pro tip: Find other live music + Veterans Day events in our November Plan Ahead.
Holiday
There’s a new tradition in town. Downtown Lakeland will hold a tree lighting ceremony featuring the first Christmas tree in Munn Park. The countdown starts at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, when the lights will glow for the first time.
Stat
11%. That’s how much of Florida Southern’s student body is in the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (CFEE) Seed-to-Scale program, making it the largest business incubation program in the state. See what students are growing.
Family
Is your family on Santa’s nice list? Sign up for Black & Brew’s photo session, happening Saturday, Nov. 29 at the downtown cafe. Get five minutes with the big guy, a digital photo, crafts, and hot cocoa for four family members. All proceeds go to One More Child.
Biz
Speaking of Christmas, give your tree some Swan City flair with wooden ornaments by Wilson Avenue Studio. Local artist Doris Dionne engraves and paints each one from a studio right here in Lakeland. This year’s new ornament features a swan who’s a real patron of the arts.
Job
Looking for a remote opportunity to lead and inspire a winning team? We’re hiring a Sales Director to fuel our fast-paced sales team, with a competitive salary, premium benefits, unlimited PTO, and real growth opportunities to boot. Apply to join our team.
Plan Ahead
Next weekend is Hack Your Health 2025, one of the largest health and wellness conferences in the world. Join 2,000+ attendees for three days of expert panels, product demonstrations, giveaways, and the latest in biohacking research. Tix + info this way.*
At Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group, women can discover a community dedicated to supporting every stage of life. Learn more about comprehensive OB-GYN and maternity care, advanced care for mothers and babies, and community education classes.*
Category
Holiday
🥧 Make Thanksgiving prep as easy as pie
The Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie from Born and Bread is a classic. | Photo by @bornandbreadbakehouse
Here’s something you can be thankful for: our list of local spots to buy your Thanksgiving pie, plus a few other treats. Just be sure to order ahead.
Born and Bread Bakehouse
Impress your Thanksgiving guests with a classic pumpkin, brown butter apple, pecan, or gluten-free tart cherry pie. Not in the mood for pie? Try a whole burnt basque cheesecake.
Bandidas Bake Shop
Try a twist on a classic with the miso-maple pie. For more desserts on the table, you can also pre-order the Florida chai tres leches cake.
Sugared Swan
If turkey makes you sleepy, perk up your guests with a cold brew pie. Peach cobbler and apple crisp are also on the menu.
Good Thyme For agood time, call in your orders for apple oat, bourbon pecan, or sticky bun sweet potato pie.
A MagSafe charging station with fast-charging technology. We love its foldable, travel-friendly design, allowing us to charge up to three devices at once from anywhere.
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.
I don’t go to Bartow very often, but I was shocked to see that the city already has some holiday lights up on a drive through downtown this week. While it’s a little early for me, just drive down Broadway Avenue if you need some cheer this weekend.
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