We tried Vampire Penguin’s signature flavor with green tea snow, strawberries, almonds, and condensed milk. | Photo by LALtoday
Then Lakeland’s newest dessert spot has you hard-covered. Vampire Penguin is now serving icy sweets with literary flair in a Victorian-style cafe downtown.
Vampire Penguin is known for its “shaved snow.” It’s hard to describe the texture, which combines the creaminess of ice cream with the lightness of shaved ice. Fans gave it a go in comments on Facebook, and we think “ice cream cotton candy” nailed it.
Leonard told us the butterbeer-flavored Platform 9 3/4 and chocolatey Oliver Twix have been popular choices since the cafe opened in late December.
Photo by LALtoday
Co-owner Natalie Leonard is also a writer, which inspired this location’s library-esque decor and book-themed menu, with flavors ranging from Berity to Edgar Allen Snow. Pro tip: Most flavors are dairy + gluten-free — and you can even create your own.
In addition to decorative books of old, Leonard’s love of literature also led her to offer books by independent authors. Curl up with a new read or catch up with a good friend while indulging in a scoop of snow Monday-Saturday at 216 E. Pine St.
In addition to Saturday’s parade, the City of Lakeland has announced a full slate of Dream Mega Fest events to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Check the schedule for a car show, parade grand marshal gala, and close-out event to celebrate a month of community connection.
Traffic
Heads up, I-4 drivers. The off-ramps at Exit 38 will be closed tonight and tomorrow from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. FDOT will be retiming traffic signals on SR 33, so it recommends getting off at Exit 33 instead. (The Ledger)
Holiday
Wedding bells are in the air for the Polk County Clerk & Comptroller, which will host its 13th annual Valentine’s Day group wedding on Saturday, Feb. 14. Want to be one of 30 couples to say “I do”? Register when applying for a marriage license by Feb. 11.
Edu
Is your student eyeing a magnet school or an IB program? Polk County Public Schools’ 2026-2027 school choice window is now open. Parents can apply through Friday, Feb. 20, when acceptances for most choice programs will be chosen with a lottery system. Study up before applying. (LkldNow)
Closed
Circle back to Circle B Bar Reserve after Thursday, Jan. 15. Unless you’re a Polk County second grader, the park will be closed that day for the Water, Wings and Wild Things Kids Festival. Find another hiking spot in the meantime.
Film
Did you know the lightsaber battles from “Star Wars” are a real thing? Well, sort of. Learn more about the world of competitive lightsaber fighting in “Saber,” a new documentary directed by Matt Wiatt of Lakeland’s Indie Atlantic Films. Watch the trailer before its Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival premiere. (Gizmodo)
Never sacrifice comfort for style again thanks to this elevated casual cardigan. With a lightweight + layerable design, the versatile piece is perfect for year-round wear. Need something a little cozier? We love this wool blend option with gold button detailing.*
Resolution Roundup
📚 Ready to read?
If Vampire Penguin’s literary flavors inspire you, find local books just around the block at Pressed. | Photo by @sarahmaephotography
Turn more pages than just the ones on your calendar this year. If you’re hoping to read more in 2026, let these local authors inspire your next selection.
“Terra: An Elemental Series” by Sofia Simpson | Immerse yourself in this fantasy series about a prophecy to unite the Elementals’ warring clans.
“Tampa Heat” by Thad Diaz | A former Tampa firefighter himself, Diaz now writes about the city’s “gritty underbelly” from the perspective of a hard-boiled detective in the “Cigar City Files” series.
The best app to learn a new language — now 65% off. With Babbel, just 10 minutes a day is enough to start speaking a new language and keep a New Year’s resolution that actually sticks. Fit bite-sized lessons, engaging podcasts, and interactive speaking practice into your morning routine, commute, or coffee break.*
In which category did Lakeland rank the highest in 2025?
Only 46% of readers got this one right: Lakeland ranked No. 3 on Good Migrations’ 2025 list of most-changed US cities.
It was ranked No. 10 for safest places to live, No. 14 for the most affordable small US cities for homebuyers, and No. 16 on a list of the top 20 innovation hubs across the South.
Let’s get this bread. This year, I’ve decided I’m someone who buys fresh bread from a local bakery each week. So far, I’ve really enjoyed the sandwich-ready sourdough from Toast of the Town Bakehouse, especially with a bit of cinnamon pear jam I found at Old South Country Market.
}})
