After a paradeless 2020, the holiday gem of Swan City will kick off for its 40th run (2019 was the 39th year). The parade will leave from the RP Funding Center and travel down Lemon Street toward downtown, turn at Main Street to Cedar Street, wind around Lake Mirror, head up Orange Street + end back at the RP Funding Center after a 1.25-mile course.

Made possible every year in part by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, this year’s theme is “Season of Joy, Together Again for the Holidays,” which is all about reconnecting after the hand that 2020 dealt the world. The parade will feature floats reflective of this theme.

Judges will crown eight lucky participants from this list:

Most outstanding band
Most original float
Best professional float
Best youth or educational float
Best community float
Best business float
Best theme float
Judge’s choice

And, of course, to kick off the holiday season, Santa and Mrs. Claus will wrap up the parade. Aside from getting a live look at the action, the parade will be televised on the City of Lakeland’s Facebook page, as well as Spectrum Channel 643, FiOS Channel 43, or Comcast Channel 5.

EVENTS

Today

General Knowledge Trivia | Wed., Dec. 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Come and enjoy food from Salt & Fire Food Lab + compete in general knowledge trivia with teams of up to 6 people.

Thursday

Let it Throw | Thurs., Dec. 2 | 5-9 p.m. | The Joinery | Free | Play in some fun outdoor games + enjoy deals on drinks.

Friday

Toys for Tots Night at Swan Brewing | Fri., Dec. 3 | 7 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Bring an unwrapped toy to Swan Brewing for Toys for Tots, see Smokepoint live, and enjoy craft beer + food. 🧸

Saturday

Snowfest 21 | Sat., Dec. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror Frances Langford Promenade | Free | Shop from vendors, meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s workshop + enjoy food from local food trucks — bring a canned food donation. ⛄

Sunday

Polk County Out of the Darkness Walk | Sun., Dec. 5 | 1-4 p.m. | Lake Parker Park, 820 E. Robson St. | Free | Help promote mental health awareness in the community at this two-mile walk. 👟

Monday

Glory of Christmas Concert | Mon., Dec. 6 | 7-8:30 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | Free | Come see the 12th annual Glory of Christmas concert featuring the Chancel Choir and FPC Chamber Orchestra. 🎼

Tuesday

Fall Baking | Tues., Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $50 | Learn to make freshly baked fall treats including oatmeal baked apples, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, apple cheesecake, and hot chocolate cake rolls. 🍂

Wednesday

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | Wed., Dec. 8 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $59+ | See the story of Buddy Holly retold in a hit musical on stage + enjoy an optional pre-show dinner at an additional cost. 🎙

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEK HERE

A year and a half later, Eyes on Lakeland (1400 S. Florida Ave.) is a go-to for patients who want personalized care at a value-driven, state of the art clinic. Here are 3 ways they do that:

Focusing on patients 👓

Because they’re locally-owned + family-operated (read: not commercial), patients can expect not just a great eye exam, but genuine connection.

Carrying socially-conscious brands 👓

Frame brands Eco and Modo plant trees + donate frames for every pair sold.

Giving back 👓

Every year, the team volunteers to give free eye exams to kids in need.

Bonus: They just acquired a dry eye relief machine that treats the root cause — no drops required. We’ll give that a 20/20.*

LEARN MORE + BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

NEWS NOTES

Weather

77º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
‘Til next year, tropics. Yesterday, Nov. 30 marked the end of the 2021 Hurricane Season and thankfully, the Sunshine State made it out unscathed. In case you’re new here, the next season won’t kick off until June 1, 2022. 🌧️(ABC Action News)

History

Fans of the nostalgic, brace yourselves. Publix could be discontinuing its iconic vintage scales. The original manufacturer has ceased manufacturing the scales and some newer stores have opened without them. One day, the 81-year tradition located at the front of the store could be no longer. (The Ledger)

Show

A farewell comedy tour, hosted by Bill Engvall will make a stop in Lakeland Friday night at the RP Funding Center to wrap up his 40-year comedy career. Snag a ticket here. (The Ledger)

Holiday

Looking to enjoy some holiday lights? Visit Central Florida released a list of some of the best spots to enjoy the decor including Lakeland’s Munn Park, the Curtis Family Lights, and Night of Lights, to name a few. 🎄 (Visit Central Florida)
Tickets are on sale now for “A Christmas Haunting” — Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail’s holiday event. The limited, ticketed event spans 5 nights starting next weekend (Dec. 10-11). Tickets start at $20 and you can purchase them here.

Cause

Registration is now open for the 18th annual Twilight 5K. The race will be held on Feb. 4 and will loop around Lake Hollingsworth. The Rotary Clubs of Lakeland hosts the 5k every year to benefit Common Ground Playground, a park designed for children with varying abilities.

Drink

Rafa Natural is spreading some holiday cheer with a festive drink recipe Meet:. the Cranberry Mimosa — made with cranberry juice, triple sec, white wine, rosemary + cranberries. The non-alcoholic Holiday Punch is made with apple cider, orange juice, ginger ale + sliced apples, and oranges. 🍹

Lakelander

Lakeland illustrator and designer Bump Galletta completed a project for NOAA Aircraft Operations Center and Hurricane Hunters, capturing in the piece the importance and danger in what they do. Take a closer look at the design on Bump’s Instagram here.

Listen

Local podcast Florida Men on Florida Man released a brand new episode of The Social, featuring a visit to the Rec Room. The hosts try drinks made by mixologist Jordane Moore, to reflect the group's personalities. 🎧

Real Estate

Eyeing a move-in ready home? For a limited time, Southern Homes is offering zero closing costs + $0 down if you use their preferred lender. Browse available homes (both complete homes and homes under construction) and call (888) 899-7434 for more details. 🏡*

📸 @bandidas_lkld

Buckle up, Winter Haven friends, because Bandidas Test Kitchen is headed your way this weekend for the first-ever Winter Haven Pop-Up. Here’s what you can expect:

Bandidas will pop-up Sat., Dec. 4 at the Bandit Market.
The market will be located at The Ritz Theatre from 3-9 p.m.
Bandit Market is a holiday market, hosting local vendors as well as holiday jams by Daniel Pepin.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s pick: Anyone else stumped this year as it relates to holiday shopping? We need gift ideas. As we put together a gift guide this year, we want your input on where to shop and what to buy for the special people in your life. Send us your submissions.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared your favorite conversations from November as we welcome December, here.