Polk County Community Calendar

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Welcome to the WBF Community Calendar. This page is designed to post announcements of events around the Polk County area.

The announcements are listed according to the date of the event, current events at the top.

Click here, If your club or organization would like to post an announcement on this page.

BHS High School Alumni Celebration Friday Fest, June 21

Bartow’s June’s Friday Fest will be hosting BHS High School Alumni Celebration on Friday, June 21st, from 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. along East Main Street and Central Avenue in downtown Bartow. This street party is sponsored by Kelly Buick GMC.

This community event will have a Lip Sync competition, street vendors, food, drink, and children’s activities. Our South Central Street will be filled with BHS booths with fundraiser’s, different products for sale, raffles and more. This event’s entertainment will be provided by “SLS Entertainment” playing music from all the different generations. There will also be an open car cruise-in, sponsored by Kelley Buick GMC.

Friday Fest is held on the third Friday of every month and is hosted by Main Street Bartow, Inc., Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, the City of Bartow. For more information, call 863-519-0508.

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, June 22

The Downtown Farmers Curb Market is a key component of a vibrant, diverse and exciting Downtown. It is designed to serve and bring together all segments of our community. It is a positive force in bringing people Downtown to purchase fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items. The 11-month Market (closed in August) is a showcase for the talents and the work of local artisans and local growers. The Downtown Farmers Curb Market is a project of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA).

The 11-month market (closed in August) is a showcase for the talents and the work of local artisans and local growers, can be found at 200 North Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland from 8am to 2pm.

Bartow Farmer's and Community Market, June 26

Everyone is invited to the Main Street Bartow Farmers and Community Market is held every Wednesday at Fort Blount Park, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Bartow, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Vendors include produce, local honey, jams, jellys, brittle, six flavors of jerky, plants, blended teas, handmade candles, skin care products and soaps, specialty cheeses, dips and soup mixes and crafts. The park is also a beautiful spot for a leisurely lunch, and food vendors offer hamburgers, hotdogs, pulled chicken sandwiches, kettle korn, and much more!

Main Street Bartow continues to seek vendors offering top quality fresh products and artisan crafts. The vendor fee for a 10 x 10 space is just $10.00. For a Farmers Market Vendor Form, contact Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.

Make your plans to visit the Main Street Bartow Farmers and Community Market, Wednesday at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Bartow, from 10 to 2!

Bartow High School Reunion, June 29

BHS Class of 1994 invites you to join your fellow classmates as celebrate the past 25 years!

A $10 per person contribution will help cover food costs & decor. We will also have a cash bar. Here is the link to prepay. Please include your name, so we can keep track of the guest list! https://paypal.me/pools/c/8dyhobL0YI

It's our 3rd Annual Celebrate America: Independence Day Party and we can't wait. Join us for live music, backyard games, a giant water slide and more as we celebrate our amazing Country's birthday!

Red, White & Kaboom, July 3

The T. Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on Wednesday, July 3rd from 6 PM - 9:15 PM. Musical guests, The City Saints, will entertain the crowd before a dazzling fireworks display launches at 9 PM.
Parking: All City parking garages will be open for T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom.

Thunder on the Ridge, July 4

Thunder on the Ridge is Haines City’s signature event. Since 1998, residents, and people across the county have joined Haines City to celebrate this Fourth of July tradition. With the title of Polk County’s largest & best firework display, we strive to make this a memorable event. We will have cold beer, food, live entertainment, children’s activities, and much more! Be sure to bring your family out in July for a celebration you don’t want to miss!

To become a vendor or a sponsor of this event please email hcparksandrec@hainescity.com for more information.

Join us Saturday, July 13 for the Main Street Bartow Antique Market from 8am to 2pm on Main Street in downtown Bartow.

Come find just what you've been looking for! The Antique Market features items such as antiques, vintage, collectibles and crafts. Call Tony at 863-533-4383 for anyone that would like to be a vendor, vendor cost is $20.

Downtown Yard Sale, July 20

Bartow’s monthly Downtown Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, July 20, along the 300 block of East Main Street in downtown Bartow. Hours are from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM, with set-up beginning at 7:00 AM. Vendors will be charged a $10.00 fee, and no preregistration is necessary.

For further information call or the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508. The Downtown Yard Sale is held the third Saturday of each month, and is sponsored by Main Street Bartow, Inc., Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, and the City of Bartow.

Main Street Winter Haven, in partnership with our downtown businesses, presents our annual FREE Treasure Hunt Downtown. All you need to do is register for the free map, children under 12 years of age please.

Check in between 11 AM – 12:30 PM inside covered breezeway of the Chamber of Commerce (located at 401 Ave. B NW, Winter Haven FL 3881) and get started with your adventure! Participating downtown businesses will hide a LEGO® Minifigure inside their business. Once you have spotted the LEGO® Minifigure, the business will mark your map. After all stops have been completed, head back to the Chamber breezeway. Turn in your map to be entered into the drawing for one of several prizes, the GRAND PRIZE is FOUR LEGOLAND TICKETS!! You MUST be present to win, and the drawing begins at 1:45PM. If you have any questions please give us a call at 863.295.9422

You must reserve one map per child in advance to participate. All children participating in the event must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

RESERVE YOUR MAP HERE: https://www.mainstreetwh.com/event/treasure-hunt-downtown/

Kathleen High School Reunion, August 10

Kathleen High School, Class of 1974 will be hosting their 45th class reunion on August 10, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Dinner, entertainment, reminiscing and a fun evening planned for all, please plan on joining in. You may register for the event at our class website through our website at http://www.classcreator.com/Lakeland-Florida-Kathleen-Senior-1974/class_index.cfm.

It's time again for the Just Cares' Annual Fall Festival. Remember to save the date, Thursday, October 31st, 2019, which marks our 8th Annual Fall Festival and also the 7 year anniversary of Just Cares Inc.

Just Cares' Fall Festival has become the biggest family-friendly alternative to Halloween event in downtown Lakeland. Come join us for a night of fun for the whole family.

There will be lots of games, bounce houses, activities, music, dancing and a ton of candy.

DATE: Thursday, October 31, 2018
TIME: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
COST: FREE
LOCATION: 124 South Kentucky Avenue; Lakeland, FL 33801
Downtown Lakeland between Main Street and Lemon Street
The Stage is located in front of Just Dance.

Any proceeds, sponsorships, and donations will help Just Cares Inc. which is a 501(c)3 Non-for profit, to provide future programs and events to our community.

Monitor and protect your personal information by registering for Property Alert.

Once you register for the free service, you’ll receive email alerts when documents are filed in our office using your name and/or property information. Find out more at Polk County Property Alert.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers

Meals on Wheels needs drivers to deliver hot meals to seniors throughout Polk County. Kitchen volunteers are also needed to help package the meals.

The Meals on Wheels program delivers hot meals to approximately 315 homebound residents.

Service areas include Winter Haven, Lakeland, Auburndale, Haines City and Davenport. Volunteers may choose to work from one to five days a week. For information call 863-299-1616 or visit www.mealsonwheelspolk.com or facebook.com/mealsonwheelspolk.

VISTE's Volunteers

Volunteers in Service to the Elderly is a community-based non-profit organization that was started Lakeland since 1983.

VISTE’s primary goal is to help frail senior citizens continue living independently and safely in their own home. VISTE is a United Way agency.

VISTE, which is a United Way agency, works with schools, churches, civic groups, local corporations and individuals.

To volunteer, attend one of VISTE’s monthly orientations. A volunteer application can be found at http://viste.org/become-a-viste-volunteer.

For more information, call 863-284-0828 or email info@viste.org.

L.E.A.P - Emergency Notification Program for Residents Age 55 and up

Do you have a loved one, age 55 or older, living independently in Lakeland? Encourage them to sign up for Lakeland’s Elderly Assistance Program (LEAP) to ensure you are notified in case of an emergency that involves first responders. This voluntary program is designed to provide a quick resource to public safety entities so they can easily contact family members in case of an emergency.

How Does the Program Work?

First, complete a registration form. Forms are available online at http://www.lakelandgov.net/lpd/special-svcs/community-services-section/leap-lakeland-elderly-assistance-program or you can call the number below and request a form be mailed to you. Registration will include requests for emergency contact information. A member from the Lakeland Police Department will enter the information into the LEAP database, making the information accessible only to first responders. Once the resident is registered they will receive a small sticker to be placed in a visible location on the front window or door with a unique identification number. The sticker will immediately notify first responders to check the LEAP database for additional information should an emergency situation occur.

If you have additional questions regarding the LEAP program, call 863.834.6912.

SPCA of Lakeland

Each month SPCA Florida provides over 200 pets in the community with supplemental pet food and supplies through its Ani-meals program. Due to increasing community need, SPCA Florida is asking the community for donations of cat food and litter. Donations can be dropped off at 5850 Brannen Road South in Lakeland, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit spcaflorida.org or call (863) 646-SPCA for more information.

The SPCA, Inc. in Lakeland is in desperate need of cat litter. Any type of cat litter is welcome. Donations can be dropped off from 11am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. For more information, call the SPCA at 863-646-7722.

New Hazardous Waste Collection Program Available for Small Businesses

Polk County businesses that produce less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month can properly dispose/recycle it the third Wednesday of each month by appointment-only at the North Central Landfill’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The first collection day will take place February 16.

Quotes will be based on the quantity and types of waste materials to be disposed/recycled. Participants must complete a registration form and inventory sheet and may need an onsite inspection prior to participating. Waste materials being collected include: paint, solvents, waste ink, fluorescent lamps, used oil, antifreeze and other hazardous waste.

For more information, paperwork and appointment schduling, visit www.polk-county.net or Contact Andrea at (863) 284-4319 ext.203, andreastermer@polk-county.net.

The North Central Landfill is located at 5 Environmental Loop South in Winter Haven.

Viewing of Adoptable Pets

The Polk County Sheriff's Office, in an effort to help adopt out as many eligible animals as possible, has added a new feature to their website www.polksheriff.org. The link, located at the bottom of the home page, is titled "Animal Services Section".

The "Pet Harbor" is a brand-new feature offering viewers a searchable database of adoptable pets, in and out of Polk County. Customers can select whether they are looking for a dog or a cat, an age range, a gender and even a size. Photos of the animals are available at the click of a button, and are updated on a routine and timely basis.

The section also has a wealth of information such as laws, rabies, spaying/neutering and is very user-friendly.

American Red Cross

The Polk County Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering Community Disaster Education presentations to the community, free of charge. The Community Disaster Education program teaches people how to prepare themselves, their families and their property for disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes.

For more information about the program, or to schedule a presentation, call the Polk County Chapter at 863-294-5941.

Girl Scouts

Adult volunteers can have just as much fun as the Girl Scouts they serve. Adults can volunteer as troop leaders and advisors so that they work with the same girls all year. Volunteer opportunitites also exist for guest speakers, teachers for specific skills and projects, advisory committee members, and a wide range of other volunteer services to girls and Girl Scouting.

To find out more about becoming a Girl Scout volunteer, contact the Lakeland office at 863.688.7648.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The Polk County Board of County Commissioners' Hazardous Waste Section collects household hazardous waste Monday through Friday 7:45a to 3:45p, and Saturday 8a to 5p at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. The facility is located on SR 540 at the North Central Landfill, four miles east of highway 98.

At the facility, the county accepts household paints. aerosol cans, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, kerosene, diesel fuel, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, cleaners, polishes, paint strippers, paint thinner, fluorescent tubes, mercury containing devices, household and auto batteries.

All household items are accepted during these times except biohazardous materials, i.e. hypodermic needles or lancets. No explosives or radioactive wastes will be accepted at this location. No waster generated by businesses will be accepted for disposal. For more information call the Polk County Household Hazardous Waste Section at 863-499-2771 or 863-499-2689.