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💘 Valentine’s events you’ll love
The first 200 guests at Cupid’s Night Out can hit the flower bar to build their own bouquets. | Photo by @shoplakesidevillage
Love is in the air, Lakeland. Valentine’s Day is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 14, but we’re also celebrating friendship with Galentine’s Day. No matter who you’re taking out on the town, check out our top 13 picks for a lovely night out.
Galentine’s Floral Workshop
The fun starts tonight at 7 p.m., when the pros at Bloom Shakalaka will teach you and your besties to create beautiful bouquets with a holiday-themed vibe.
Cupid’s Night Out
Romantic music will play as you shop from local vendors at Lakeside Village on Valentine’s Day. Visit photo op stations from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Lawn, and follow it up with dinner at an on-site restaurant. Editor’s pick: Sushi + low lighting at Thai Oishi.
A Four-Course Love Story
Be wined and dined at The Terrace Grille on Valentine’s Day, 4-10 p.m., with a romantic prix fixe experience curated by the chef. Think: caviar, steak, and cheesecake.
Increased demand due to the weekend’s below-freezing weather put a strain on Lakeland Electric’s power supply. The utility asks customers to keep energy conservation in mind this week by lowering thermostats + limiting electricity usage — time to get some use out of your fireplace.(The Ledger)
Award
Lakeland has been named a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The city adds this award to its two previous wins, which recognize Lakeland’s biking infrastructure, policies, and educational programs.
Edu
New at Florida Southern: the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise Hall of Fame. See the first inductees.
Film
The Connected Waters Film Festival takes place next week, with events countywide for filmmakers + fans. Join the first event, a screening of ESPN’s documentary “Twice As Nice: The Legend of Charlie Ward,” at Catapult on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m.
Sports
Grab your pickleball partner for the City of Lakeland’s split-age tournament this Saturday, Feb. 7. Pairs of players ages 50+ and below 50 will battle it out at the Kelly Rec Complex. Pro tip: Softball, kickball, and flag football leagues start up soon.
Try This
Winning entrants in the city’s Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade were announced yesterday. Get Down on It Soul Line Dancing won the award for Best Dance Group — see what this team is about in Tuesday night classes at Simpson Park Community Center.
Lakelander
The 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is happening now in New York, but don’t be surprised if you see 11-year-old Ava Silva there one day. Silva is already working to become a dog handler at Westminster, winning awards alongside her toy fox terrier, Prancer. (The Daily Ridge)
Drink
The key to a great morning? Getting a discount on your favorite pick-me-up. Pour Bear Coffee is now in the Florida Coffee Culture keychain program, which offers drink discounts at dozens of cafes. Buy a keychain at Pour Bear to get 20% off there, plus 10% off at Concord Coffee.
Shop
Meet the intimacy gummy: Camino Wild Cherry, the ultimate edible for date night. Heighten sensory experiences and ignite that special spark with a THC gummy that fits seamlessly into your Valentine’s Day plans — without the hangover or bloat of alcohol. Get 20% off a full-size tin with code 6AM20.†*
Category
Festival
🖌️ Make your mark, muralists
Lakeland’s murals have put the city on the map when it comes to Central Florida’s art scene. | Photo via Gillian Fazio
Is your work wall-worthy? Apply now for the Color Wave Walls mural festival. The first of its kind in Lakeland, this event will invite experienced muralists to create large-scale paintings around the downtown area from Nov. 6 through Nov. 14.
Artist applications just opened, and applicants must have at least three completed murals in their portfolio. If you own a building around downtown, you can also reach out now to offer up a wall for new paint.
As 76% of readers guessed, there was no sign of snow in Swan City this weekend. But don’t let that kill your hopes — Punxsutawney Phil spotted his shadow yesterday, calling for six more weeks of winter.
Sure, you could plan a dinner date at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, one of OpenTable’s “100 Most Romantic Restaurants.” But to really impress your date, snag one of the hottest reservations of the year at Waffle House, which will transform select restaurants into candlelit dinner destinations on Valentine’s Day.
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