First Friday

Lakeland Fl – First Friday “Honoring Service” – November 6th, 2009

What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park – First Friday “Honoring Service”?

With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which proved at last month event of “Art Walk”. I’ve never seen that many people downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with the National Anthem that will be performed by the Harrison School for the Arts string quartet in front of Brooke Pottery.

• Color guard demonstration by Lake Gibson High, Lake Region, and George Jenkins High Schools.
• Dance and ROTC performances throughout the evening are scheduled – Kentucky Avenue will close from Lemon Street to Oak.
• Music and Entertainment
• Student art displays along the streets

At 7:00 p.m. between Main and Lemon Street, you’ll be entertained by clogging and nutcracker dances.

• Girl Scouts are sponsoring card making activities to be sent to troops overseas.
• Massages will be offered
• Prizes to win, sign up for drawings and more.
• Lifestyle Fitness Center will also have you entertained

There is so much more from Nonperishable Food Drive organized by Brooke Pottery to benefit the Talbot House to Operation Drop Zone donating items for our active military members deployed overseas. Think about our military veterans when you shop downtown Lakeland!

Also, Senator Paula Dockery, who just announced her run for governor will be there to talk with you.

Stop by at the classic car show!

Being married to a veteran, who served 20 years in the Army and both of my sons (SIL) serving in the military, one as a Marine reservist and the other active duty in the Air Force, this is very dear to my heart. Veterans Day is November 11^th and Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Honoring Service” could not have been timed any better.

First Friday

Lakeland Florida – Local Event – First Friday “Art Walk” October 2nd 2009

It’s “Thriller Night” at this First Friday local event that is actually themed “Art Walk” and held around downtown Lakeland Florida around Munn Park in the streets of Kentucky Ave. As always the Downtown Lakeland Partnership prides itself of hosting and organizing First Friday events such as this one.

Expect the unexpected! Art Galleries throughout downtown Lakeland hosting art exhibits and reception and you are invited. Take a moment out of your busy schedule and see what our local artists have to offer and patron our local merchants. We have true talent here in Lakeland showcasing their art work displayed throughout downtown Lakeland – it’s worth checking it out. It all starts at 6:00 p.m. – restaurants, stores, galleries, and coffee shops are open late. What else can you expect to see?

• Dance performances
• Music & Entertainment on the streets
• Big Tent Sale
• Mitchells Coffee House – art reception and poetry reading
• Senator Paula Dockery will be there to talk with you!
• Performances in the street from Rae’s Retro Mannequin and Modeling.
• Performances stat at 7:00pm in front of J Rowan Galleries with Michael’ Jackson’s “Thriller“, Rocky Horror’s “Time Warp“ – Plus a Michael Jackson Impersonator will be there!
• Garden Bistro – next to Hollis Garden offers a German Buffet at $9.99 – Wiener Schnitzel, red cabbage, hot German potato salad and more. Music will also be provided by The Sofa Kings from 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Brooke Pottery – meet two local birding enthusiasts Rob Mason and Linda Snavley and hear their stories, they may reveal some of their hotspots for bird watching. In addition, they will show off Rob’s outstanding photographs of Florida birds, including Lakeland’s mascot – the swan.

Here are some of my photographs of this wonderful creature – hope you enjoy!

Don’t forget to stop by the classic car show on Tennessee Avenue

First Friday

Lakeland Florida First Friday Celebration “School’s out for the Summer”

Hooray! Friday, June 5th marks the first day of vacation for students in Polk County! What better way to come to downtown Lakeland and join a fun-filled event of  First Friday’s Celebration “School’s out for the Summer” to start your summer off filled with activities around Munn Park.

Parents and kids are you ready to have some fun? The party starts at 6:00 PM and contests in  blowing the largest bubble. I’m sure there are some great hula-hoopers in Lakeland, there will be a contest for a squirt-gun shootout, sidewalk chalk art contest, a contest for summer themed art, which takes place along Kentucky Avenue.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership teaming up with our local downtown merchants, Explorations V Children’s Museum and the Polk Museum of Art, who are making sure, you will have a great start to your summer vacation during the June 5th First Friday “School’s out for the Summer” Celebration.

More activities are planned for the kids such as a bounce house, face painting at Lofty Ideas and a DJ at Lloyd’s of Lakeland on North Kentucky. Traditions Unlimited will feature making paper flowers and Brooke Pottery will host the 2009 Annual Ornament Contest and Kathy Cooper, owner of Gold Leaf Creative Arts, will instruct children creating their special Florida animals made out of clay.

Teens and Adults – are you dressed for summer? The Polk Museum of Art is sponsoring on South Kentucky Avenue a community art project showcasing your idea of “Summer Fun”. A people’s Choice Award for a cool summer look – you live in Florida only a short drive to the beach. Hmm… flip flops, summer shirt and a cool hat made out of straw perhaps – think Key West or Hawaii, you get the point. Try it and have fun!
Prizes will be provided for various activities by the Downtown Lakeland Partnership and Downtown Lakeland merchants.
Garden Bistro, one of my favorite restaurants, will be open for dinner 6 – 8 P.M. It doesn’t get any better than dinner at the Bistro and music by Sofa Kings 7:00 – 11:00 on the Patio. Garden Bistro is next to Hollis Garden on Lake Mirror.

Entertainment along the streets and the car show on Tennessee Avenue next to Munn Park from 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM. Shops and Restaurants are open late!

I love summer – and First Friday in Lakeland is a great way to kick it off!  Remember, if you are thinking about moving, consider Lakeland, Florida!  As your Lakeland real estate professional, I’m here to help you find the home of your dreams!