Soaking Up the Local Culture

This Week:
July 16-22

Lakeland Flying Tigers
Dates: Now – September 1
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium
-The Lakeland Flying Tigers have returned to Lakeland for the 2012 season.
-This week’s home games are:
July 19 vs. Miracle, 6:30 PM; $1 Sodas & 2-for-1 Beers
July 20 vs. Miracle, 7:11 PM; 7-11 Fridays, The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo, Metro PCS Family 4-Pack
July 21 vs. Miracle, 6:00 PM; Firework Extravaganza, Christmas in July, Kids Club Day, Team in Training Night
July 22 vs. Miracle, 1:00 PM; Sunday Family Fun Day

Discovery Days
Date: Wednesday, July 18
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-Each Wednesday, children ages 6-12 will discover nature’s joy during a literary escape into the Gardens while Bok Tower features a different book in this playful and informal approach to reading and nature appreciation.
-Reservations are required, and parents are invited to join their children as they participate in each program.
-The July 18 story is The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo by Jean Craighead George

Main Street Bartow’s Friday Fest
Date: Friday, July 20
Venue: Downtown Bartow
-Main Street Bartow’s Friday Fest is a downtown Bartow block party featuring live music, vendor booths, children’s fun activities, great food, beer and other drinks.

Movies in the Park
Date: Friday, July 20
Venue: Lake Eva Park – Haines City
-A free community event at Lake Eva Park.
-Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.
-Pre-event activities start at 7:00 p.m., and the movie will begin at dusk.
-Movies in the park are the First and Third Friday of every month June through August.

Chicago
Dates: Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22
Venue: Lakeland Community Theatre
-Presented by Lakeland Community Theatre, Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
-The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal”.

Hairspray
Dates: Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22
Venue: Theatre Winter Haven
-Theatre Winter Haven presents this summer musical that has been nominated for 13 Tony Awards, 14 Drama Desk Awards and made into an award-winning movie starring John Travolta.
-Hairspray is about a buoyant teenager and “outsider” who dreams to be with the “inside” crowd and believes she’ll get her chance on a TV dance show.

Quicker Than the Eye
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Ritz on Central – Winter Haven
- An evening of wine, dinner and mystery, and a combined cast of characters from the Ritz Theatre and the Ramon Theater in their “Hands Across the Arts” series.

Astronomy Night
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve – Lakeland
-Beginners to seasoned astronomers are welcome to gaze into the Stars and learn about the amazing world of astronomy.
-Begin with an introduction into the night sky at the workshop, and then step outside for the big viewing event.
-Astronomy night will go on rain or shine.

Flicks in the Garden
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
- Family friendly movies on the great lawn at Bok Tower Gardens.
-This month’s showing is Miracle.

Reoccurring Events:

Polk Museum of Art: 3-D –Through August 18 (Polk Museum of Art-Lakeland)

Polk Museum of Art: Outsider vs. Folk –Through September 2 (Polk Museum of Art-Lakeland)

Polk Museum of Art: Invisible Elephant –Through October 13 (Polk Museum of Art-Lakeland)

Explorations V Children’s Museum programming: Magical Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Thrilling Thursday and Fun Friday – weekly Monday through Friday (Explorations V-Lakeland)

Upcoming Events:

Live at the Gardens: Summer Music Series – August 11, September 22 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

“Bark” Tower Gardens’ Dog Days of Summer – September 8 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Central Florida NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Boktoberfest – October 20 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Water, Wings & Wild Things – November 3 (Circle B-Bar Reserve-Lakeland)