Soaking Up the Local Culture

This Week:
July 23-29

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 24 vs. Yankees, 6:30 PM; Baseball Wingo, Silver Sluggers, 2-for-1 Ticket Offer

Historic Lake Mirror Tours
Date: Tuesday, July 24
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
-This is a historic walking tour through Downtown Lakeland that’s scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
-Call the Lake Mirror rental office to reserve a spot. Tours are limited to 25 people.

Birds, Butterflies and Wildflowers Tour
Date: Wednesday, July 25
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve – Lakeland
-Take a personalized tour of the Banana Creek Marsh with a volunteer guide who will point out plants, birds and history of the property.
-Requires sign-up, and Nature Tour sign-ups begin on the first working day of each month.

Discovery Days
Date: Wednesday, July 25
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 25 story is The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnet.

Chicago
Dates: Friday, July 27 – Sunday, July 29
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 27 – Sunday, July 29
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.

Highland City Commuity Market
Date: Saturday, July 28
Venue: First Baptist Church of Highland City
-Your local community market featuring hand-crafted items and fresh produce.
-The market will be open on the fourth Saturday of every month from 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Reoccurring Events:

Saturday Night Rodeo –Every Saturday night (Westgate River Ranch Resort-Lake Wales)

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)

Wings ‘n Things – November 2 (Sun ‘n Fun Florida Air Museum-Lakeland)

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

Red, White & Blue Veteran’s Salute – November 9 (Sun ‘n Fun Florida Air Museum-Lakeland)