Skyward Festival

Downtown Lakeland’s April First Friday Event is partnering with Sun ‘n Fun to bring a new family event to Downtown: Sun ‘n Fun Skyward Festival.

It’s not always easy to connect Downtown to events elsewhere in the city. Sun ‘n Fun was no exception, ’til now.  Ford Heacock, a Downtown business owner and Sun ‘n Fun board member says, “I’ve always wanted (Sun ‘n Fun) to have a closer connection to the community.”  Though the event brings tens of thousands of visitors, some felt that locals here in town may overlook this gem.

But April’s, Downtown First Friday event will change all that.  “It is a great partnership,” says Julie Townsend, Executive Director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership, the group responsible for First Friday events.  “We are always looking for themes for our First Friday events.  The Skyward Festival is shaping up to be a huge event and will hopefully become the permanent April theme of First Friday.”

“We’ll start with a pre-fly teaser above Main Street,” reveals Heacock.  “Just to get everyone’s attention.”  Kentucky Avenue will be filled with activities from Lemon Street to Bay Street as displays from Sun ‘n Fun mix with activities planned by the merchants and First Friday organizers.  But the excitement does not end there.  “Tethered hot air balloons will dot the northwest shore of Lake Mirror along Massachusetts Avenue. And at dusk the balloons will glow and we’ll have a pyrotechnic air show above,” shares Heacock.

First Fridays always feature a classic car show on Tennessee Avenue and live music.  Added to the live music will be the Air Force Rock Band performing in Munn Parkat 6:30 pm and again at 7:30 pm.

Activities begin at 6pm through 9pm.  Shops and restaurants are open ’til 9pm and later so be sure to come down for a bite to eat and take in some shopping and browsing.  Many streets are closed to accommodate the activities, so plan to park in the ample parking available in the Bay Street lot, the Oak Street lot, the Main Street garage or on-street parking south of Lemon or north of Bay.  Permit only lots are FREE parking for the public after 5pm, so take advantage of the permit only lots throughout Downtown Lakeland.

MEMBER ACTIVITIES:

In celebration of the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day, THE GENERAL STORE will be hosting AVB RECYCLE. In addition to receiving recycling information, visitors can drop off their used inkjet / toner cartridges and all electronics including old cell phones, MP3 players, scanners, printers and laptops (no TVs or desktop monitors, though). After First Friday, these items can still be dropped off at THE GENERAL STORE.

ElderPoint Ministries of Greater Lakeland will be giving away fresh popped popcorn and selling raffle tickets for a hot air balloon ride for two.  Raffle tickets are only $5  so hurry on over to get your raffle tickets, enjoy the popcorn and learn how ElderPoint meets seniors at the point of their needs every day.

Lake Mirror Tower Apartments will offer a candy airplane making activity from 6:30pm to 8:00pm under our Mass. Avenue canopy. Meet our friendly staff, bring your friends and family and learn how to make airplanes from candy.

FastFrame (117 S Kentucky Avenue) is giving away an 11″ x 14″ reproduction print of a vintage postcard showing Lakeland Airfield.  Register to win at the shop.

Lakeland Montessori Middle School will help you get a taste for aviation with their paper airplane extravaganza on South Kentucky.

Speaking of “taste,” we hear Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro on South Kentucky is cookinn up some special treats for the evening.

Look for the Polk Museum of Art and the Florida Air Museum to partner in building and decorating kites at the corner of Pine and Kentucky.  The Central Florida Aviation Academy will have a display just across Pine.

Critter Watcher will be having a drawing for a doggy Easter basket and a kitty Easter basket. Coloring pages will be available for take home or coloring on site from 6-8:30 pm.  There is no cost for either activity.

Look for music by Billy Needs a Beard, Ben Heaps and J. P. Henderson – always a good time.  Especially for the kids, there will be a bounce house by Lakeland Moonwalk at Kentucky and Lemon Street.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership: info@DowntownLakelandFL.com, www.DowntownLakelandFL.com, 863-513-3669

Read More about Sun ‘n Fun.

Thank you to the Skyward Festival sponsors: