Hi <<First Name>>,
Whew... getting back into a routine this week has been challenging. Are you feeling it too? Are you already thinking about the weekend? I am!

Head to the RP Funding Center on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to catch the Lakeland Magic or Florida Tropics - both play this weekend. Look for details below on discounted tickets for these games.

We've got FOUR new posts to share with you this week!

Plus the tentative 2020-2021 School Calendar is now available, see it on our website.

Have a great weekend,
April Mucci
Owner & Publisher

NEW THIS WEEK

Top 10 Things to Do in January

January kicks off the spring season with many of our favorite annual events! We've got a list of the best things to do this month so you can be sure the “can’t miss” events are on your calendar. Check out our January Top 10 for Lakeland and Polk County.

U-Pick Strawberry Farms in Lakeland, Plant City, & Across Central Florida

A few of our local U-Pick Strawberry farms are open and we've got a list of farms within an hour’s drive of Lakeland & Polk County. Strawberry picking is a great family activity since the berries grow in raised beds on the ground and are easy for kids to reach. No rush though - many farms won't open until March so you've got 2+ months to get your strawberry fix.

It’s BBQ Festival Season in Polk County

BBQ Festivals are fun, family friendly events with good eats, live entertainment, kids activities, and more. Get details on upcoming barbecue competitions including Lakeland PigFest, Smoke on the Water in Winter Haven, and Ribs on the Ridge in Haines City.

Lakeland’s Favorite Spring Events

Here in Lakeland and across Polk County we have fantastic annual events that happen every spring! Get out your calendar and mark down the dates for these local favorites including art festivals, SUN 'n FUN, Swan Derby, Mayfaire, & more.

LAKELAND MAGIC GAMES

Orlando Magic Night – Friday, January 10 – Special guest appearances and in game entertainment from our Orlando Magic family. Purchase your $10 ticket and receive an exclusive Orlando Magic/Lakeland Magic branded item and one complimentary Pepsi product.

Honoring Our Heroes – Saturday, January 11 – The Lakeland Magic and Bartow ford are teaming up to celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country, for Honoring our Heroes Night. All veterans, active military, and their families receive free admission.

Two for Tuesday – Tuesday, January 14 – Two for Tuesday games are the best deal in town! Get two-dollar tickets, beer, soda, and hot dogs.

Youth Basketball Night – Saturday, January 18 – During halftime, local youth basketball teams will face off, providing two games for the price of one plus entertainment highlighting youth basketball across Polk County.

GET TICKETS

↑ Click to see video highlights from last year's School Days Game ↑

School Days Game – Thursday, January 16 - a rare 11am game!
Students from across Polk County will attend this game with a STEM education focus and an opportunity for students to be involved in all activations. Homeschool families and the general public are also welcome to attend.
Learn more at https://lakeland.gleague.nba.com/schooldaygame/

GET TICKETS

PLAN YOUR WEEK

Best Things To Do This Week
Best Things To Do This Weekend
Best Things To Do Next Week
Full Calendar of Events

Explorations V Children’s Museum – Daily activities from 10:30-11am, included with admission

Monday – Book Buddies
Tuesday – Curious Kids
Wednesday – Music Makers
Thursday – Kitchen Kids
Friday – Art Studio
Click here for more information

Family Fundamentals Free Classes

Great Beginnings (under 12 months) - Wednesday @ 9:00am - 9:45am
Once Upon a Time (Age 1) - Wednesday @ 10:00am - 10:45am
Twogether Time (Age 2) - Wednesday @ 11:00am - 11:45am
Let's Move Twogether (Age 2) - Friday @ 10:45am - 11:30am
Family Fundamentals Class for Ages 3-5 -
Monday – Thursday @ 9:30 am - 11:15 am / Friday @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Click here for more information

THURSDAY
Tween Time at the Library (Ages 9 - 13)
January 9, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Foster Care Info Night
January 9, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Heartland for Children
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally
January 9, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Downtown Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

FRIDAY
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Magic Game - Orlando Magic Night
January 10, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | RP Funding Center
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Little Bookworms Storytime (Ages 2-5)
January 10, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am | eLibrary South Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Adventurer's Guild (ages 10-17)
January 10, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Beakers and Books (ages 7-12)
January 10, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Technology Petting Zoo - Winter Haven Library
January 10, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

S'mores & Music in Auburndale
January 10, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Auburndale – Ariana Park / Beach
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

SATURDAY
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Magic Game - Honoring Our Heroes
January 11, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | RP Funding Center
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market
January 11, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm | Downtown Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Sensory Storytime (ages 3-10)
January 11, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Ready to Read
January 11, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library – Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Big Brothers Big Sisters Orientation & Training
January 11, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Big Brothers Big Sisters Polk Office
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Art Lab at Polk Museum of Art
January 11, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Polk Museum of Art
Free – $5 | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Saturday Afternoon Family Movie Matinee - WH Library
January 11, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Movement & Imagination Nature Play at Bok Tower Gardens
January 11, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Bok Tower Gardens
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Lake Alfred Bluegrass & Kickin' Chickin' Wing Competition
January 11, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 8:00 pm | Lake Alfred – Lion’s Park
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

SUNDAY
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Florida Tropics Soccer Game
January 12, 2020 @ 3:05 pm - 5:00 pm | RP Funding Center
$7 | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Lakeland Water Ski Club FREE Ski Show
January 12, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Lake Hollingsworth
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

MONDAY
Writers Block Youth Writing Club (Ages 10 - 17)
January 13, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Paws for Reading
January 13, 2020 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Auburndale Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

TUESDAY
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Magic Game - Two for Tuesday
January 14, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | RP Funding Center
$2 | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Little Sprouts Story Time - Winter Haven Library
January 14, 2020 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Preschool Storytime (ages 4-5)
January 14, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

History Time Tots at the Polk History Center
January 14, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Polk County History Center
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Little Sprouts Story Time - Winter Haven Library
January 14, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Teen Scene at the Library
January 14, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

LEGO Club - Winter Haven Library
January 14, 2020 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

LEGO Club - Larry Jackson Branch Library
January 14, 2020 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library – Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

WEDNESDAY
Little Sprouts Story Time - Winter Haven Library
January 15, 2020 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Toddler Time (Library Storytime Ages 2-3)
January 15, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Storytime (Age 2) at the Auburndale Library
January 15, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:15 am | Auburndale Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Storytime at the Jackson Branch Library (ages 2-5)
January 15, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library – Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Storytime at the Mulberry Library
January 15, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am | Mulberry Public Library
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Wonder Wednesdays (ages 6 - 12)
January 15, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

THURSDAY
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Magic School Days Game
January 16, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | RP Funding Center
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Storytime (Age 3-5) at the Auburndale Library
January 16, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:15 am | Auburndale Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Mother Goose Baby Time (6-18 months)
January 16, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Tween Time at the Library (Ages 9 - 13)
January 16, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

FRIDAY
Little Bookworms Storytime (Ages 2-5)
January 17, 2020 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am | eLibrary South Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Ultimate Improv (Ages 10 - 17)
January 17, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Winter Haven Arbor Day Celebration
January 17, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Winter Haven – Recreational & Cultural Center
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Minecrafters - Winter Haven Library
January 17, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Winter Haven – Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Jazz in the Park
January 17, 2020 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm | Simpson Park Community Center – Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Bartow Friday Fest
January 17, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Bartow – Main Street / Downtown
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

NEXT WEEKEND
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Opera: La Boheme
January 18, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Florida Southern College – Branscomb Auditorium
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Lakeland Magic Game - Youth Basketball Night
January 18, 2020 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | RP Funding Center
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Florida Tropics Soccer Game
January 19, 2020 @ 3:05 pm - 5:00 pm | RP Funding Center
$7 | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Winter Haven Arbor Day Celebration
January 18, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 8:00 am | Winter Haven – Lake Howard Trail
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market
January 18, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm | Downtown Lakeland
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Kindermusik Family Playdates
January 18, 2020 @ 9:30 am - 11:30 am | Kindermusik at Music Connections with Debbie Mondale
$20 | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Paws to Read
January 18, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Lakeland Public Library
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Sensory Friendly Movie at Cobb Theatres
January 18, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 10:00 am | Cobb Lakeside 18 Theatre & IMAX
| More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Winter Haven Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. MLK Parade
January 18, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Winter Haven – Lake Maude Park
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. MLK Parade
January 18, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Children's Gasparilla Parade and Extravaganza
January 18, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 7:30 pm | Bayshore Blvd in Tampa
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

MLK Community Awareness Day
January 18, 2020 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Winter Haven – Recreational & Cultural Center
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

Lakeland Concert Band Winter Concert (FREE)
January 19, 2020 @ 1:45 pm - 3:30 pm | Florida Southern College – Branscomb Auditorium
Free | More information
Add to Calendar - Gmail | iCal

**EVENT CANCELLATIONS - We aren't able to keep up with last-minute changes, however, all events on our calendar include a link to more information or the host's Facebook page where you can check to see if events are impacted by the weather or otherwise canceled.**

LAKELAND MOMS GROUP

Are you interested in being part of a group of Lakeland Moms where you can ask for recommendations and share local info?

Click here to join the Lakeland Moms Group on Facebook! Be sure to read the pinned post so you know what the group is about and what kinds of posts are allowed. No selling or advertising, just local moms chatting and supporting fellow local moms. Invite your friends to join us too.

GET SOCIAL WITH US!