Tonight, we’ll also announce the winner of our kid’s art holiday ornament contest at 7 PM. Whose art will be immortalized on this year’s Brooke Pottery ornament? Come find out!

Downtown Lakeland’s October First Friday will also feature an art show!

The DLP is looking for artists, in all mediums, to exhibit their work along Kentucky Avenue in Downtown Lakeland during the October First Friday. This will be a great opportunity to reach the First Friday crowds and perhaps kick off the holiday buying season a little early!

Items exhibited must be made by the artist. If you are interested, please contact us no later than September 15th.

Cheryl Dossey, Fitz Gallery 686-0887 or email registration information to:
cherylfitzgallery@gmail.com

REGISTRATION FORM

The DLP cannot supply any items needed for set-up including tents, tables, chairs, nor extension cords. There will be no charge for setting up. Artists are responsible for all sales transactions and sales tax.

Thriller is back!!

You loved their performance last year! Well this year will be even better! We want the details to be a surprise, but be assured you’ll go GAGA over what they’ve got planned! The show will run twice – once at 7pm and again at 8pm along S. Kentucky Avenue in street.

When: First Friday, September 3rd.

Where: 130 S. Massachusetts Avenue in Downtown Lakeland.

Are you looking for something fun to do this Friday during the First Friday event? Look no further, we have it all…

Lake Mirror Tower Apartments offers lots of exciting FREE activities during the upcoming First Friday on September 3rd. We have something for everyone, let’s have fun with the whole family.

Please check out our newest addition to the building, The Gallery at Lake Mirror. The Gallery offers the following programs this Friday:

• Live watercolor painting by Walt Cannoy.
• Live painting by Richard J. Bond.
• Artisan soaps and knitting by Brandy Burry.
• Meet and greet our youngest photographer and take a look at some of the work she has for sale just for this event.
• $20  8×10 portrait sittings by Kantu Studio. Come see samples of his work at his table and set up your appointment today in his studio located inside the Lake Mirror Tower Apartment building.

But wait, that’s not all…we are hosting a Show, Shop & Go event this afternoon between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. in our lobby off our main entrance on Massachusetts Avenue. We have over 20 vendors attending this Shop and Go event, offering something for everyone. Shop until you drop!  Presented by Jennifer Straight and Sparks Artistry.

Visit our website: www.pinnacleams.com/lakemirrortower or call 863-688-9991 for details.

It’s back to the grind of the school year, but it doesn’t have to be all work and no play.  Downtown merchants and title sponsor MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION want you to have fun with knowledge, so we’re organizing a trivial pursuit scavenger hunt.  Pick up your game cards at any participating merchant and go in search of knowledge. Visit the stores, answer the questions and register for a chance to win prizes for you and your school.  The school with the most registered participants wins the grand prize!

See…the FCAT can be fun! The Downtown FCAT that is…

Get your FCAT game card at participating merchants.  (Lists provided at First Friday.)  Merchants will be waiting for you and will ask you a question from the category they are assigned.  Get the answer right and you’ll get a sticker for your card.  Turn in the cards to the DLP booth or any participating merchant when you’re done and get a chance to win prizes.  Plus we’ll ask you to write on your card the school you represent. The school with the most participants will also win a prize. Individual prizes are gift certificates to retail/restaurants.

Traditions Unlimited will be doing a drawing for a teacher gift pack of supplies.

FastFrame will have a drawing for teachers – Register to Win a Goodie Bag of cool stuff!

Brooke Pottery – Teachers, register to Win a basket of goodies!

Home Essentials – Labor Day Chilling and Grilling Sale! Select Items, buy one get one half off

Arts on the Park -  FREE art reception with music and refreshments. People choice award, everyone get a vote!

The Kiddie Train will be loading at the corner of Pine St. and N. Kentucky Ave. ALL ABOARD!!

Check out our members who are setting up along the streets:

Watson Clinic Foundation will host a Dunk Tank on S. Kentucky Avenue.  Check out who’s in the tank!

Lakeland Moonwalk will have bounce houses on S. Kentucky Ave as well.

Along N. Kentucky Ave…

Lakeland Memorial Gardens will have a fun Ring Toss game.

Critter Watcher will offering activity sheets for children and drawings for Rachel Hale stationery and sundry items.  One flea comb plus flea control tips will be available for those who request one. (one per family, please)

Sapphires Dance Studio will be dancing in the street. Watch or join in!

Evolve Hair Studio celebrates its GRAND OPENING by demonstrating Vivid Haircolor Application and a Rocking Layers Ponytail Haircut, as well as performing free Makeover Consultations with discounts on scheduled appointments, and a raffle for free services!

FAITHRiders from Scott Lake Baptist Church will be giving away candy, tracts, and rubber bracelets.

UUCL will have free cookies to decorate.

Liquid Hair

• Quick styling tips for kid’s unruly morning hair.
• Demos on the kids that stop by the booth. (braiding, styling products, ponytails, pinning up)
• Free nail art on girls nails
• Free hand massages for parents
• Giving out vouchers for “Free Kids Cuts (under 12) with an adult haircut and style” – Must come by booth to pick up voucher and then call to make appt.

Plus many many more!!

Become a VIP!

Downtown Lakeland is launching a VIP 10% OFF card during the September First Friday.  The card is FREE and you can register at the following locations during First Friday.  The cards will be available at these locations until they expire on12/31/2010.  Over 25 Downtown businesses are participating, so be sure to get your card at First Friday so you can take advantage of the savings right away!  The card can be used over and over at the participating businesses. Some restrictions apply. See the list of participating businesses below for the details.

Where to get one: Home Essentials, Fitz Gallery, Brooke Pottery, Traditions Unlimited, Fast Frame

See a list of participating businesses.

VIP cards will require registration. But don’t worry, Downtown Lakeland Partnership does not share your information with anyone, including the businesses on the card.  But we’d like to keep get an idea of where our VIPs are coming from, so we do ask for contact info. We respect your privacy, so don’t expect us to hassle you.

Other COOL activities going on During FIRST FRIDAY! Check out these links!

Pecha Kucha Night

The Gallery at Lake Mirror Tower Apartments

Downtown Lakeland’s October First Friday will also feature an art show!

The DLP is looking for artists, in all mediums, to exhibit their work along Kentucky Avenue in Downtown Lakeland during the October First Friday. This will be a great opportunity to reach the First Friday crowds and perhaps kick off the holiday buying season a little early!

Items exhibited must be made by the artist. If you are interested, please contact us no later than September 15th.

Cheryl Dossey, Fitz Gallery 686-0887 or email registration information to:
cherylfitzgallery@gmail.com

REGISTRATION FORM

The DLP cannot supply any items needed for set-up including tents, tables, chairs, nor extension cords. There will be no charge for setting up. Artists are responsible for all sales transactions and sales tax.

Thriller is back!!

You loved their performance last year! Well this year will be even better! We want the details to be a surprise, but be assured you’ll go GAGA over what they’ve got planned! The show will run twice – once at 7pm and again at 8pm along S. Kentucky Avenue in street.

Release the hounds!

POOCH PARADE INFO

First Friday is once again hosting “Dog Days of Summer” for the August 6th theme.  Even if you don’t have a dog in this hunt, you’ll  have a ball watching the pooches sniff and mingle.  Of course, there will be dog-centric activities and contests.  And, there will be plenty of cool water to keep our furry friends comfortable.

Lakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club will bring out some of the members’ finest dogs to say hello. You can get up close and personal with some breeds you might have seen only on television.
Does a Chinese Crested really have a crest? Does a Sussex spaniel bark with an English accent? Stop by, say hello, and pick up some literature about dogs. Literature will be available about breeds, health and safety information.

Music and Entertainment, plus some of the activities rained out in July like the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Dunk Tank will be there.

PLUS IMPROV IS BACK!! Shorts n Flip Flops….

We are an Improv Comedy group that got our start in Winter Haven at a local pub. We star in an Improv Show much like you may have see on “Who’s Line Is it Anyway”. Every game or skit we do balances on the input we get from the audience and our “Improvational Fortitude”…so come on down and help us make a great show!  Read more about us and view our videos!

Geodog Days of Summer – 6 PM Gizmo & his friends Brandy, Lexie & Sparky are holding a geo-event to help raise funds for Save Our Homeless Pets/Polk County Animal Control.

General Store -  Bandanas with your dog’s paw prints will be available, as well as custom dog tags

Brooke Pottery – Visit to meet one of our glass artists and browse our dog-themed jewelry. Plus enjoy the entertaining tunes of Hank & Paul!

Pooch Parade – (Starting at Lloyd’s of Lakeland on N. Kentucky Ave.) Dress up and join us for this fun activity! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

FastFrame – Dog-themed mats for photos. Just right for a picture of your favorite pooch!

Paint Along Studios has chosen the SPCA to benefit its August “Paint for the Cause”. Only the first 24 people will be able to attend on Friday, August 6 at 6 p.m. at the studio at 123 S. Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland. Cost is $35 per person and all proceeds will be donated to the SPCA.

Lakeland Police K-9 dogs – LCPAAA (Lakeland Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association) are kicking off their fundraising efforts for the LPD K-9 unit will be set up to sell LPD K-9 calendars and promote the upcoming Honoring Heroes BBQ. The 2011 K9 calendars feature photos of all of the current members of the k9 unit and their handlers. Calendars will be on sale for $10.00 and 100% of the proceeds will go to the LPD K9 unit.

Flamingo Home Care – Let Flamingo Homecare help the elderly loved one in your life take care of the furry loved one in theirs. Two friends are better than one!

Fitz Gallery – Get your doggie’s portrait made with our professional photographer.

Paint Along Studios – Dog-themed paint along class. Check out the art you’ll be painting. With the step by step instructions, you can produce this masterpiece!  SPCA will be out front with doggies to adopt!

Live Music – Phil Schneider, Bryan Rivers, JP Henderson

MAYHEM in the AM – Meet Seth Mela and the gang and as they unveil their new LOGO!!

Sapphires Dance Studio will be in the park with music and demonstrations.

Cool Off at The Doggie Bag tent with a Sweet Spot Doggie Ice Cream, and sample free yummy gourmet dog biscuits in Munn Park.

Highland Homes booth – We will have information on how to keep your home safe for your pet and also be giving away purse-sized lint rollers, to keep that pet fur off when you leave the house.

Senior Helpers will be setting up  and will also be signing up folks for the Memory Walk. We will also be promoting our Mommy Reserves service for expectant and new parents!!

Silpada Designs – Independent Representative Tina Witty – offering a $50 gift certificate for Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry to anyone who books a Silpada Boutique Showing (their own Silpada Party).  She will also have several pieces of  beautiful new jewelry from the 2010/2011 catalog that was just released this week.

Lakeland Center is hosting a Facebook Party for its fans at its tent. They will also be promoting their upcoming show – Todd Oliver and The Dogs Gone Wild Tour coming January 9.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland - Visit our booth for fun, kid friendly crafts!

Invisible Fence of Central Florida—Bring your pooch by for a drink or wade in the pool.  Enjoy some playtime with our Jump Ring or Open Tunnel.  Dog owners can learn about how we keep your pet safe at home.

Critter Watcher will be giving out one free flea comb (plus flea control tips) to the first 75 pet owners. One per family please.

Lakeland Fireballs – Come by the tent around the corner of Cedar and Kentucky, to visit the Lakeland Fireballs Gold Wing Motorcycle Chapter, and learn more about motorist and motorcycle awareness.   You can buy a chance for a brand new Gold Wing Motorcycle being given away , and proceeds from this help pay for Florida Rider Education.

Lake Mirror Tower – Visit the Tower lobby for sparksArtistry and others in the Show…Shop…&…Go event from 4pm-9pm.

PARKING’S A SNAP! in DOWNTOWN LAKELAND!

Participants must pre-register by e-mailing the following information to annrye@DowntownLakelandFL.com.  Use the subject line “Pooch Parade Entrant”

Sparky, a success story from Polk Co. Animal Control,

is asking for you to give a paw to less fortunate canines!

Polk County Animal Control has recently seized more than
350 dogs from 2 abusive situations, and is way beyond capacity. 

You can help provide care for these animals!
As always, forever homes and volunteer assistance are needed, also if you have extra towels and blankets,

Polk County Animal Control needs them!
(Please no crocheted blankets, little claws get caught.)

They can use: Sheets, Blankets, Comforters, Bedspreads, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Washcloths, Dish Towels,
and any CLEAN Rags and Linens, too!
They can also use: Dog Food, Feeding Dishes (non-breakable), Toys, Collars, Leashes, Cleaning Supplies, Hand Sanitizer

Financial donations are also being taken to purchase a much needed commercial washer and dryer.

You can drop items off at THE GENERAL STORE now through August 6th (Dog Days of Summer/First Friday).

125 South Kentucky Avenue          688-5900        Monday-Friday: 7:30-6    Saturday: 10-5

http://www.wfla.com/

Well the judges have spoken and the results are in!  Thanks to all who participated. We had over 20 pies enter the Pie Bake Off. We raised almost $400 for Fia’s Fight against ovarian cancer.  We’d love to have someone volunteer to type up the recipes for us to be able to share!  All of the pies were yummy. The judges had a hard time deciding which was the best.  But after all the ballots were cast, we came up with the winners.

A huge thanks to our “celebrity judges” : Ledger food Critic Trent Rowe and his lovely wife Carol, Mayor Gow Fields, Daniel Stetson of Polk Museum of Art, our very own Downtown Officer Staci Scott, Scott Sloman of the Lakeland Center, and Eric Michaels of MAX 98.3.

Judges, Officer Staci Scott and Mayor Gow Fields, took their positions very seriously.

Categories:

Cream: Margaret Funk –
Peanut Butter Pie – 1st place

Nut : Grace Kiddy –
Toffee Pie – 1st Place

Fruit/Berry : Jean Bunch – Apple Crumb Pie – 1st Place

Wildcard : Erica Smith – Better Than Edward Pie – 1st Place

GRAND CHAMPION :
Erica Smith – Better Than Edward Pie