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.

VISTE Volunteers Needed

Volunteers in Service to the Elderly has this seasonal reminder — it takes an army to deliver 1,800 Thanksgiving dinners.

VISTE is mustering its troops once again. This year’s delivery is on Nov. 21, the day before the holiday. Volunteers can pick up meals beginning at 3 p.m. at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St.

No registration is required.

VISTE also seeks volunteers to bake pumpkin bread, muffins and other goodies to go with the holiday meals. Other volunteer opportunities include decorating placemats, making Thanksgiving cards and crafts, organizing food collections and snapping green beans.

For additional information, visit www.viste.org/thanksgiving or call 863-284-0828.

Light Up Bartow at Magic on Main, November 16

Main Street Bartow turns magical when lights line the street with holiday twinkling at the annual Magic on Main Friday Fest on Nov. 16 from 6-9 p.m.

This evening of fun, entertainment, and great food will be made magical during the Holiday Street Lighting Ceremony at 6:45 p.m., with help from the City of Bartow Electric Dept. and Santa Claus, who is making a special trip to Bartow.

The event includes a blessing of the city and performances by Legacy Dance Studio, Bartow Elementary Academy and Wendy's Dance Company.

Polk County History Center will remain open until 6:45 p.m., offering a chance to see exhibits and the Festival of Wreaths. Santa Claus will visit The Cookie Jar Bakeshop from 7-9 p.m. to hear Christmas wishes. Polk County's Highway 37 South will be the featured live band.

Enjoy meeting family, friends and neighbors as you take in the Open Cruise-in Car Show, dinner in a downtown restaurant or snacks from street vendors, children's activities and more.

Thank you to our Magic on Main sponsors, the State Farm Offices of Leo Longworth and Michell Githens.

Space is still available for kids' activities and other vendors. Call the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508 for information.

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

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, November 17

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.

Frostproof Farmer's Market and Community Fest, November 17

Come and join us at the Farmer's Market and Community Fest every 3rd Saturday of the month, Year Round! from 9am to 3pm at Wall Street Park (100 West Wall Street) in Frostproof.

For more information please call Cindy at 863-274-8433, or visit thunderthumpin.wixsite.com/ttep.

Bartow Farmer's and Community Market, November 21

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!

2nd & 4th Saturday Markets In Downtown Winter Haven, November

Our 2nd and 4th Saturday Markets In Downtown Winter Haven are FREE community events, family and pet friendly. More than 50 local vendors offering: fresh & organic greens, raw local honey, food trucks, kettle corn, antiques, art painting, jewelry, all natural & organic body care products, wooden furniture, balloon artists, facial paintings, local crafts, fair trade, baby dresses, third party networks, non-profit, local businesses, cold treats, jams & jellies, baked goods, cottage products, live music, book signing, and much more!

Saturday, November 10 and 24 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
41 5th St NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Please join us for our annual Polk County Out of the Darkness Walk to Fight Suicide! The walk will take place on Saturday, December 1 at Lake Hollingsworth. Registration begins at 9am and the walk will begin at 10am.

When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

Thanks to Walkers and Donors like you, AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.

For more information and to register, please visit www.afsp.org/lakeland or our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2059032451045374/.

The 38th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland FL will be held on Thursday, December 6th, 2018 at 7:00 pm and we hope that you'll join us for A Storybook Christmas!

Thursday Squared Food Truck Rally, December 13

Join us on the second Thursday of every month for this food truck rally, which features about 20 food trucks. Monthly Food Truck Rally in Munn Park in Downtown Lakeland on the second Thursday of every month. Free Admission and Dog Friendly!

Thursday Squared Food Truck Rally by DLP
Date/Time: December 13, 6 pm to 9 pm
Location: Munn Park
100 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland
Admission: Free

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.