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A lake at dusk in Lakeland with night lights illuminating and city buildings in the background.
Culture
Lakeland’s hottest trends for summer 2024
“brat summer” is unofficially over, so we’re looking back on what was really hot in Lakeland thanks to Google Trends search results.
September 06, 2024 01:54 PM
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
An aerial shot of Southeastern University's football field and stands. SEU is painted in the center of the field, and the Fire logo is in the endzones.
Sports
Go, fight, win: A rookie’s guide to supporting Lakeland sports teams
Supporting a student athlete in your family or just taking yourself out to the ballgame? We’ll tell you what to wear and who to cheer for.
August 21, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two individuals duel in a cage match at The Florida Man Games
Sports
Embrace your inner “Florida Man” at the second annual Florida Man Games
Learn how you + your team can represent Lakeland at the “wildest live athletic competition on Earth.”
August 12, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
Long jumper Monae' Nichols poses on a boat on the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sports
Dreaming of gold: Olympians with ties to Lakeland competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Swan City is well represented on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — these are some local Olympians to watch.
August 7, 2024
 · 
Staff
The sun setting over a baseball field.
Events
Summer bucket list: Check these off before the end of the season
As summer draws to a close, here are the events we wouldn’t miss around Lakeland.
August 1, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
3x3 basketball player Dylan Travis smiles in front of a USA flag wearing a Team USA basketball jersey.
Sports
7 questions with Dylan Travis, Team USA 3x3 basketball player
Meet an athlete who honed his craft as a student in Lakeland and is now representing the USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
July 26, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of an aerial view of crowds at the Paris 2024 Olympics skateboarding site, Parc Urbain La Concorde
Sports
New sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympics will spotlight several new sports: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. Let’s dive into what you need to know about each event.
July 18, 2024
 · 
Staff
A group of roller derby skaters compete during a game. Two of the players are from Swan City Roller Derby, while the others are wearing white jerseys to represent other teams. There's also two referees in the background.
Sports
Lace up your skates with Swan City Roller Derby
What you need to know about Lakeland’s club roller derby league + how it’s working to change the face of contact sports.
July 11, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
LAL-Polk-museum-of-art-classes-SEPT2022.jpeg
Culture
Be a lifelong learner with these classes for adults
Relive the camp days of your youth by learning something new at one of these local classes or workshops just for grownups.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
pickleball-knee-brace-unsplash-stock.jpg
Sponsored
How to play pickleball if you have knee pain
We’ve got tips on how to play pickleball pain-free — and the lowdown on where to get the only ROSA Knee System robotic-assisted surgery in Polk County.
Sponsored by
The brick and iron entrance to Munn Park frames a group of people walking beneath a tree with a bright pink trunk.
New to Lakeland
Head outside with a guide to Lakeland’s parks
We’re highlighting the top parks that Lakeland has to offer — complete with splash pads, playgrounds, WiFi, walking trails, and even a few dog-friendly spots.
April 19, 2024
 · 
Staff
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Sunrise at Gandy Pool in Lakeland, FL
Travel and Outdoors
Remembering Lakeland’s hottest day on record
Lakeland’s hottest day on record was June 4, 1985 when Swan City hit 105°.
September 3, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
The exterior of a white and black building on North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. A sign reads "The Yard on Mass."
Real Estate
What should come next to the former Yard on Mass space?
The City of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is on the hunt for the next tenant to take over the space on North Massachusetts Avenue.
August 30, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
The exterior entrance of S&L Restaurant in Lakeland. Signs painted on the building read, "Warning! Our burgers are habit forming!"
Food
Eat down the street: Combee Road restaurants
Discover a hidden gem or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time in this series.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a coffee shop is shown. In the foreground, a cup is holding an iced latte.
Business
Drink coffee + support foster care at ECHO Coffee House in Winter Haven
Learn how this coffee shop is helping a Lakeland-based nonprofit in its mission to support children in foster care.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
A sandwich, salad, and iced drink from Black and Brew
Experience
Dinner and a view: Where to dine outdoors in Lakeland
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Lakeland’s many beautiful patios.
August 28, 2024
 · 
London Gibson
A concert taking place at Bonnet Springs Park, seen from the rooftop bar
Culture
Lakelanders share their “random acts of kindness” stories
We already knew that Lakeland was one of the best places to live, but these stories just prove it even more.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
LAL-downtown-winter-haven-ritz-theater
Travel and Outdoors
Take a quick trip to these cities near Lakeland
In need of a one-day getaway? We’re sharing our readers’ favorite things to do, see, and eat in towns within a quick drive of Swan City.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A swan swimming across Lake Morton at sunset
Culture
6 random acts of kindness to brighten up Lakeland’s community
Put a smile on your neighbor’s face with these random acts of kindness.
August 26, 2024
 · 
Kristen Templeton
An interior shot of a wedding in Haus820
Culture
Rentable venues in Lakeland
Check out this list of local spots to host your next party, reunion, or reception.
August 26, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The exterior of the former Sears store entrance. The Sears logo is faded into the building, and a "For Lease" sign is up.
Real Estate
What do you want to see in the former Sears building?
After plans for apartments fell to the back burner, owners are on the hunt for businesses interested in leasing the space.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson