Are you among the throngs that think there should be a Super Hero Holiday? Well, if you are, Explorations V Children’s Museum will help you celebrate in a big way during its first ever Super Hero Sunday on January 22, from 2pm-5pm!

Kids and adults can dress up in their favorite super hero costume and spend the afternoon playing Super Hero games, participating in a Super Hero parade, decoding secret messages, trying out your super powers and more…all included with $7 per person admission price! Children under two and museum members are free.

Not a member? Not a problem…annual family memberships are only $70!

You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!

Explorations V Children’s Museum is located at 109 N Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Additional information can be obtained by calling 863 687 3869 or emailing info@explorationsv.com.

Well, the kids are out of school but we don’t all have the same days off as the kids! What to do? Call Explorations V Children’s Museum, located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland, and sign them up for Holiday Out of School workshops running December 19-23 and Dec 27-30.

They can get holiday creative with decorations, ornaments and gifts, tasty cookies and candies, winter art and science and more! The daily themed camps include hands-on activities, museum exploration, afternoon snacks and outdoor play (weather permitting).

Full day sessions for K-6th grade run from 9am to 5pm and half day sessions run 9am-1pm. Early drop off and late pick up is available for an additional fee.

Museum member pricing is $40 for a full day and $25 for half days. Non-member pricing is available. Not a member…not a problem! Join today for $70 and get 15 months for the price of 12 through December 30, 2011.

For additional information, contact the museum at 863 687 3869 or email us at info@explorationsv.com.

Friday, December 2, 6:00 – 9:00pm

Downtown continues the holiday festivities with a “Cookies and Carols” theme at the December First Friday.  Come down and enjoy holiday music and entertainment, visits with Santa and so much more.

Plus, it’s a great time to work on that holiday shopping list as shops are open late.  Don’t forget to stop and get a little something – or a big something – to eat at one of Downtown’s fabulous restaurants.  Maybe you’ll pick up an idea or two  for your holiday party.

Merchant Specials:

• Lloyd’s of Lakeland - 20% off one item over $20
• Home Essentials - 20% off one regularly priced item
• Traditions Unlimited - $5 off total purchase of $25 or more
• Bay Street Bistro - Free dessert with each purchased entrée
• Mitchell’s Coffee House - Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate. One drawing per hour, 6-9pm.
• Black Swan - Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate
• Brooke Pottery - $5 off purchases of $25 or more
• Arts on the Park - Artists Showcase Holiday Market
• Explorations V Children’s Museum - Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the Museum
• Fresco’s - Gingerbread cookies

Performances by:

• Berkley Charter Elementary
• Blake Academy
• George Jenkins High School
• Kingsford Elementary
• Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
• Longbow Family
• Sikes Elementary
• South McKeel Academy
• Suzuki Strings

In conjunction with the Downtown Lakeland Partnership’s annual Holiday Walkabout on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, Explorations V Children’s Museum will be open evening hours from 6pm to 8pm and will offer free admission with the purchase of a minimum of $5 from the Museum Store.

The museum is also offering a Membership Special wherein all new or renewed membership purchased will receive 15 months of membership privileges for the price of 12.

Regular museum admission is $7 per person.

The museum is located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Additional museum information may be obtained by calling the museum at 863 687 3869 or visiting the web site at www.explorationsv.com.

The City of Lakeland and NFocus will be showing “A Christmas Carol” this Friday, November 18, at dusk on Lake Mirror. This is the last Pics on the Promenade for the Fall. Admission is free, and feel free to bring blankets, chairs, and picnic.

Sponsored by Allen & Company.

Explorations V Children’s Museum will host its annual Pilgrim Day on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 10am to 3pm! Celebrate the life of our early settlers by spinning rope, dipping candles, churning butter and more!

All activities are included with the price of admission, which is $7 per person while supplies last. Senior citizens 65 + and military with ID are $3.50. Children under 2 and museum members are free.

Not a member? That’s easy! Join now through December 30, 2011 for only $70 and get 15 months for the price of 12! You and your kids can enjoy unlimited hands-on, fun-filled learning adventures for 15 months!

Explorations V Children’s Museum is located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Additional information can be obtained by calling 863 687 3869, checking out Explorations V on Facebook or emailing info@explorationsv.com

8 p.m. in Munn Park, Downtown Lakeland. FREE CONCERT*

The ISO is Kicking off the 14th Annual Hispanic Festival of Polk County with this FREE CONCERT featuring an all Hispanic program.  The Hispanic Festival is Saturday 10/22 from 12-8:00 p.m. on Lake Mirror, for more info visit www.clubhisbanodelakeland.com.

Pre-concert entertainment for Friday’s ISO concert provided by Stephen “Hairball” Griffiths starting at 6:30 p.m. at the concert stage.

FUNDRAISER STARTING AT 6:00 P.M.

SILENT AUCTION in the WAKEMAN ROOM (next to Harry’s) from 6-8:30 p.m. –  items include certificates for restaurants and entertainment, vacation condos, artwork, jewelry, etc.  GET A JUMP START ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

PRE-ORDER BOXED DINNERS $15 - perpared by Harry’s, your choice of Jambalaya or Pasta Chicken Louisianne. Includes salad, bread and iced tea or coffee. Order online at www.imperialsymphony.org/dinner or call (863) 688-3743. (Orders must be made in advance, online ordering will end Thursday 10/20 at 5:00 p.m.)

CASH BAR inside the WAKEMAN ROOM courtesy of Tucker’s Southside Package & Lounge

HOME MADE BAKE SALE with lots of tempting treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Outside the Wakeman Room on N. Kentucky Ave.

Proceeds to benefit The Guild, Inc. of the ISO. The Guild is a major sponsor of ”Some Enchanted Evening,” February 14th at 7:30 p.m. in Youkey Theater, The Lakeland Centerfeaturing the winners of our Young Artist Competition. The Guild is a major fundraising and volunteer arm of the ISO.  Funds raised by The Guild help provide scholarships to the winners of our Young Artist Competition.

** Sponsored by The Hilda Sutton and William D. Blanton Foundation, Baron Realty and Watson Clinic, LLP **

THE IMPERIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 617 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES AND A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH IRS CODE 501(c)3 AND CHAPTER 212 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES.   A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.  REGISTRATION: CH26483.

Explorations V Children’s Museum will be closed from August 29 through Sept 5, 2011 in order to tidy up the place after a full-force summer of fun that included S.T.E.A.M Summer Camp, Storybook Camp, birthday parties, hands-on workshops and over 13,000 children and their families experiencing three floors of kid-powered exhibits!

Explorations V, located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland, will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, September 6. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm.

Admission is $7 per person. Senior citizens 65+ are $3.50. Children under two and museum members are free. Annual family memberships begin at $70.

And, don’t forget the biggest birthday party in town, Explorations V’s 20th Birthday X-travaganza, on Saturday, August 27th from 10am to 3pm. Radio Disney AM 1380 (from 10:30-12:30), games, prizes and all kinds of birthday party fun all included with admission. The museum will close at 4pm due to the event.

For details, call the museum at 863 687 3869 or email info@explorationsv.com

(click image for link)

Saturday, October 1, 2011        9:00 – 3:00

South Kentucky Avenue (between Main and Lemon Streets)   Downtown Lakeland

Help uncover Polk County’s undiscovered talent in this festival for lovers of all things “Book”!

Here’s your chance to meet and support local authors, illustrators and publishers (just in time for the holidays!)  in a Downtown showcase. Who knows? You might even be inspired to write that book that you’ve been “meaning to get to” for years.

It’s also a great way for local authors and illustrators to come out and promote/sell their works. Deadline for participation is Friday, Sept. 16th – but, the sooner you sign up, the more pre-event promotion you get! Space is limited.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorsnIllustratorsFestival for more information.

Organized for you by Terisa & Sparky Glover of  The General Store; Ellen Simms of FastFrame, and Teresa V. Martinez, author of  “Success in Exile”.

Sponsored in part by Lakeland Downtown Development Authority