Sparky invites you to her house for “Dog Days of Summer” fun!

Join us at The General Store on First Friday, August 6 - from 6:00 – 9:00

as Sparky hosts:

GEODOGS OF SUMMER – a Geocaching Event to raise funds and awareness for Save Our Homeless Pets / Polk Co. Animal Control         geocaching.com  GC2B42X

SAVE OUR HOMELESS PETS – Lisa Moehring will be here to collect items being donated to Polk Co. Animal Control and to help spread the message of Polk’s homeless pets.

We are still accepting donations of cash, food, treats, towels, toys, collars/leashes on their behalf prior to First Friday – drop on by!

Come and sample our latest local offerings:

NATURALLY PAMPERED – handmade soaps and lotions – even foot balm and massage oils – made right here in Lakeland! Come and feel the difference between commercial and handmade bath & body products. Give yourself the gift of pampering! Amanda will be here on First Friday to introduce you to our latest partnership.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS is a true and compelling story of a courageous lady, pursuing her dream, reaching it against unbelievable odds, losing it through crushing injustice and cruel happenstance, and rejoicing that life can still be worthwhile.
Lorraine Lush is the newest local author (and a dynamic public speaker!) to be featured at The General Store – watch for book signing event coming soon! 

YBOR CITY GOLD coffee – freshly roasted and ground in Tampa by the Lamont family. 1# French Roast – $9.99, 1# Hazelnut Cream or Southern Pecan – $10.99. Come out Aug 6, from 6-9  and sample for yourself!

Help support your community – Buy Local! Other Polk County Offerings include: CHALET SUZANNE Soups, The Stayskal Family’s COUNTRY BEES Raw Honey,  Garth Pennington’s HILLBILLY KETSUP BBQ sauce,  and Locally Authored Books: “LAKELAND – PICTURING CHANGE” by Randall, Susan and Sarah MacDonald, “SUCCESS IN EXILE – FIVE DECADES OF CUBAN STORIES” by Teresa V. Martinez, “SHE SAID” by Iris Bloom and “SWANSATION - THE BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE” published by Gus and Lisa Palas.

Watch for new authors and local offerings to be added soon!

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!

As seen in The Ledger, The General Store is currently the only local outlet for the latest publication on Lakeland’s history, Lakeland – Picturing Change  by Lakeland’s own Randall, Susan & Sarah MacDonald!

Get your piece of Lakeland history today!

THE GENERAL STORE

125 South Kentucky Avenue, Downtown Lakeland, FL

Monday-Friday 7:30-6    Saturday 10-5

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100622/NEWS/6225027

We are watching the weather closely. Though some of the outdoor activities may not happen due to the earlier threat of rain, store and restaurants will be open and the PIE BAKE OFF will still take place at 105 N. Kentucky Ave. Next to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill. Drop your pies off there between 5 and 5:30pm or if you need to drop them off early, drop at The General Store – 125 S. Kentucky Ave. You can fill out the form there or download and print from this posting (see below).

See the details about First Friday below and check back for additional updates.

July 2, 2010 – “Sundown Celebration ” – Downtown will celebrate our country’s independence with family picnic style games and activities.

• Corn Hole ( Bean Bag Toss) on Pine Street hosted by Traders Alley @ 210. Challenge your friends and get a group to watch. This should be fun!

CANCELLED Kiddie Train Rides – Loading at The Strand Hair Salon 238 N. Kentucky Ave. Rides are $1 per person.

MOVED INSIDE BROOKE POTTERY • Minute to Win It – You’ve seen the TV show, now get to PLAY! Hosted by Brooke Pottery, join the fun and see if you have what it takes to do these silly and FUN tasks in a minute! 4 games to choose from: Johnny Apple Stack, Breakfast Scramble, Movin’ On Up, and Card Ninja. Adult version and kids version.  Paricipants get a goodie bag and winners get entered in a drawing. Winners pulled every half hour!

MOVED INSIDE BROOKE POTTERY • Go Fish – Brooke Pottery has you fishing for a good time and prizes. This is a children’s activity.

CANCELLED • Jump Ropes and Hop Scotch activities in front of Traditions Unlimited (next to Crispers).  You haven’t played these games in YEARS!

CANCELLED • Dunk Tank – Watson Clinic Foundation hosts. See if you can dunk these downtown fellows you. When you see who they are, you’ll want to dunk them!

CANCELLED • Patriotic Tattoos – Habitat for Humanity’s booth in Munn Park is sporting glow in the dark patriotic tattoos! Free!

• Pin the beard on Uncle Sam! – Lighthouse Ministries’ booth in Munn Park. OUCH!

• All this celebrating got you stressed? Get a massage from Vickers Chiropractic! Check out their booth in Munn Park. AHHHHHH!

• BAKE OFF & Pie eating contest – Ovations and The Lakeland Center team up to tempt you with yummy pies.  You can enter your delightful dish in the contest ENTRY FORM, buy a slice of others’ tasty treat for $1, or enter the pie eating contest (7:30pm).  All of it sounds yummy.

CANCELLED • Hula Hoop with Sapphires Dance Studio in Munn Park. Get those hips movin’!

• Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro host their annual cupcake eating contest. Several age groups and prizes for the winners. Contest is at 6:45 at Frescos: 132 S. Kentucky Ave.

• Look for other fun games and activities through downtown!

• LAST CHANCE TO GEOCACHE! Get your clues from the booth near The General Store and get busy finding all of the locations. Turn your card in July 2 for a chance at Prizes!!

THE GENERAL STORE and SPARKY will be hosting SAVE OUR HOMELESS PETS, the volunteer arm of Polk County Animal Services, on the next two First Fridays – July 2nd and August 6th from 6-9 p.m.

Sparky, herself a success story from Polk County Animal Control, is asking for you to give a paw to her less fortunate canines!
Polk County Animal Services has recently seized more than 300 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 that you no longer use or want, 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

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

December 1, 2009

Holiday Walkabout – Tuesday after Thanksgiving

6:00 PM -9:00 PM

WHERE IS DOWNTOWN LAKELAND?

Entertainment MAP

Printable Version of this information

Entering our third decade, this annual event in Downtown Lakeland celebrates the holidays with shopping, dining, music,  horse-drawn wagon rides and more! Holiday music from many area schools and churches create a festive atmosphere. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a kiddie train ride,  pony rides and lots of holiday shopping complete the picture!

PLEASE NOTE:

LRMC Foundation Lights of Life lighting of the tree ceremony IS NO LONGER HAPPENING DOWNTOWN.  Please contact LRMC Foundation if you have questions about this activity.

Here are the details for the walkabout:

Photos with Santa are located at the Pansler Law Firm on Pine Street. Pictures are $2 per photo.  To keep the line moving we can not allow additional poses and personal photos to be taken.

Pony rides will be located on North Kentucky Ave, next to Lloyds of Lakeland Antiques Mall.  Pony rides are $4 per person. Pay at ride.

Kiddie Train Ride will be located in the Munn Park parking lot,  just north of Munn Park. Train rides are $1 per person per ride. Pay at ride.

Carriage rides, sponsored by Gray Robinson, are free and will circle Munn Park. Loading for rides will be on the corner of Tennessee Ave and Main St. Lifestyle Family Fitness booth will be there to entertain you with holiday music.

Street Closures:

We will begin to cone off parking spaces to clear the streets at 3:30pm on Tuesday, Dec 1. Official time for street closure is 5pm. Here is a link to the street closure map.

Event Activities: Downtown will have 3 “villages”:

Santa’s Village: (The block of Pine Street from S. Florida to Tennessee) Santa photos will be held at Pansler Law firm, our generous sponsor. Photos are a digital print in an event keepsake holder and are $2 each. Patrons will pay at the photo location. Pansler Law firm provides a beautiful setting with elaborate decorations and treats for the guests. Also in Santa’s Village enjoy free Christmas tattoos provided by Heacock Insurance. Meet a Ringling Bros clown, register for free tickets to the Circus and get a clown nose!  Brightway Insurance will have a drawing for a FREE gas card plus holiday cookies and candy canes. Be entertained with holiday tunes from Phil Schnieder Trio before and after Rochelle School of the Arts performs at 7pm.

Who-ville: (The blocks of Kentucky Ave between Pine and Oak) The Grinch will be on hand to take candid photos and shake hands. Get some yummy “who-hash” at Purple Onion restaurant. My Cottage Garden is having a Tea Tasting, including “Who-Tea”.  Home Essentials will have a drawing for a Set of 2 Christmas Serving Plates from Vietri. ($125. value, no purchase necessary) Parresol Jewelers will be working on assembling a clock made out of paper, that will actually, keep time, be rewound, and is operated by weights, will have small and large Grinch heart cookies, Grinch mints, and Grinch masks for children to take home and make.  They are also having a guest craftsman who will be demonstrating hand weaving baskets, vases, etc which will also be for sale. Get yummy apple cider at Barrow & Powers and St. Joseph’s Academy will perform at 6:30. Get candy canes and cupcakes at the Law office of Ramona Blankenship. Stop by the SPCA table to adopt your very own Max, straight from Whoville! We’ll even have some of Max’s feline friends and another canine or two. He’s a friendly guy and will surely steal your heart. If you don’t fall in love with him, your heart may just be looking for one of his best buds. Don’t be a Grinch! Help us help others! From Dec 1 through Dec 4 bring non perishable food items to the GO MINI in the parking lot north of Mitchells Coffee House.  This holiday Food drive is organized by Brooke Pottery.  Holiday music and a balloon artist will entertain you while you drop off your goodies. GOSH Asian Buffet will play “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (original cartoon version at 6, 7, & 8 pm)  Keller Williams Realtors will be giving out free hot chocolate on Pine St. Calvary Church will entertain throughout the evening and Salvation Army bell ringers will perform in front of Brooke Pottery.  Pony rides will be located on North Kentucky Ave, next to Lloyds of Lakeland Antiques Mall.  Pony rides are $4 per person. Pay at ride.

Nutcracker Village: (The block of Kentucky Ave between Main and Lemon) Sugarplum fairies and mice roam the streets with other Nutcracker related activities in stores and restaurants. Kicking off the Nutcracker activities is Broadway Studios “A Christmas Nutcracker Showcase” at 6pm featuring their award willing show team performing ballet, pointe, tap, hip hop and more!  Then stay for more great holiday music from McKeel Elementary.   Frescos Bakery & Bistro will host cupcake decorating.  Plus check out the kid’s activities – Make your own “costume”- mouse ears, sugarplum fairy wings & toy soldier hats (kids will pick one to decorate & wear) . Faces will be painted to match!
Don’t miss Jingle Jam at 7:30 in front of FastFrame.  Kids, get your Jingle Bells from merchants on S. Kentucky and then at 7:30 everyone will gather up and ring the bells and make a huge noise to “ring in the holiday season.” Florida Dance Theatre will do a Nutcracker related performance right after Jingle Jam (about 7:45). Then Lakeland Community Theatre will will have the 6 cast members of The Sanders Family Christmas and do a couple of 10-15 minute performances.  The General Store will have Rick Olivo, a quick sketch artist, to capture you at the Holiday Walkabout. The General Store will be all abustle with traditional Christmas excitement in the air! Gifts for the appetite will be featured, including Chalet Suzanne’s Orange Aspic Cake – sure to be a hit at any gathering and Lakeland’s own Garth will be on-site sampling his “Hillbilly Ketsup” BBQ Sauce and rubs. Don’t forget the Stayskal family’s “Country Bee Honey”, fresh from Lakeland hives to your favorite recipes – or just right from a spoon! Last Call! Guests can bring their cards, letters and gifts for our service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want them to receive their boxes in time for the holidays. For a suggestion of items needed, check out the DLP web site or contact The General Store or FastFrame. Donations can also be made to help offset the shipping – each box costs $11.75. Special give-aways for customers and fun for all! Historic Lakeland will set up for the sale of Christmas ornaments and DVD’s. Home Inventory Specialist is handing out candy canes with the Legend of the Candy Cane and  will be having a drawing for a $25 restaurant gift card.  Mix a little “vintage” into your holiday decor and gift giving this year! Vintage will have unique vintage gifts and decor available for your holiday needs. Free vintage glass Christmas ornament with purchase.

Two ‘Gaines’ elves from Gaines Jewelers will be circulating among the visitors throughout downtown distributing flyers.  The flyer invites the downtown visitors to come to Gaines and register for a drawing on Tennessee Ave. Our door prize we’re giving away that evening is a Miller-Rogaska votive candle holder ($35.00 retail).  In addition we’ll have a sales counter set up outside our front door exhibiting many various Christmas gift items with very reasonable, affordable prices: items like glass-work beads, sterling neckwires, sterling bracelets and great examples of giftware.

MUNN PARK: Munn Park area is Holiday Central. City Christmas lights decorate the park.  JP Henderson with Galaxy of Lights will entertain with  Christmas music  filling the park with holiday cheer and keep the crowd informed about where activities are and when. REFUGE CHURCH will be giving away balloon animals and glow bracelets at the corner of Cedar St. and Kentucky Ave. Explorations V Children’s Museum open 6pm-8pm –FREE Admission Drop in or stay and play! A free holiday activity for kids! Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille will be giving out Christmas Cookies and Candy Canes!

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE:

JP Henderson Galaxy of Lights – Munn Park 6-9pm
Bryan Rivers – In front of Crispers 6-9pm
Phil Schneider Trio – Pine and Tennessee 6-9pm
Lifestyle Family Fitness – Tennessee and Main – Holiday music 6-9pm
Rochelle School of the Arts – 7pm – Tennessee & Pine
St. Josephs Academy – 6:30 – Kentucky & Bay
Berkley Charter School- 6:30 – Main & Tennessee
McKeel Elementary – 6:45 – Kentucky & Lemon
Balloon Artist and Holiday Tunes – Traders Alley and Kentucky 6-9pm
Calvary Church – Kentucky and Oak 6-9pm
Salvation Army Bell Ringers – Kentucky & Pine 6-9pm
Broadway Studios – 6pm – Kentucky & Lemon
Florida Dance Theatre – 7:45 – S. Kentucky
Lakeland Community Theatre – 8pm S. Kentucky

Parking info:

Because of the street closures, parallel parking on the streets and access to the Munn Park lot will not be available. However, there is ample FREE public parking in the following areas:

ALL PERMIT Parking lots are FREE after 5pm and on Weekends. ( Bay Street and the corner of Massachusetts and Cedar are great choices) There is a FREE lot on Oak Street, and parking in the Main Street garage is also FREE after 5pm. You can enter either the permit parking side on Main St. or the Public Parking side on Cedar St.

Chr - Click on this file for the preorder form.

Here are the COOL things you can expect to see at October’s First Friday “Art Walk”:

Starting on the North end of Kentucky Ave the merchants in the 300 block are having a BIG TENT SALE!  Starting at 10am on Friday through 8pm of the First Friday event, check out the great sales.  JP Henderson will be the DJ in front of Lloyds of Lakeland (corner of Bay & Kentucky)  keeping everyone entertained while they shop!  Plenty of parking in the Bay Street parking Lot. Remember: Metered and permit parking are always FREE after 5pm and ALL DAY on the weekends.

Mitchells Coffee House will host an art reception and poetry readings. Poetry Reading 6-8pm:  Bring a listening ear and join the celebration of the spoken word–creative writers sharing their thoughtful reflections.

Between Bay St and Pine St along Kentucky Ave, check out the art exhibits in the street from local artists and Peace River Center.  At the corner of Pine and Kentucky will be dance performance and audience participation from Sapphires Dance Studio.  Be a spectator, be a participant, or be both! They’ll show you some moves and get you dancing!

Cedar Street: PlatformART will be open to the pubic. If you missed the GREAT art event last weekend, here’s your chance to see some really cool artists! Entrance is across from the Main Street lot Cedar Street entrance.

Munn Park will be brimming with DLP members who want to share their businesses with you.  Get a massage, win prizes, sign up for drawings, and more! Plus Lifestyle Family Fitness has the tunes to keep you entertained! PLUS: Senator Paula Dockery will be there to talk with you!  WLKF – MAYHEM IN THE AM’s Seth Mela and the gang will be there!

South Kentucky Ave will have art in the streets plus performances in the street from Rae’s Retro Mannequin and Modeling. Performances stat at 7:00pm in front of J Rowan Galleries with Micheal’ Jackson’s “Thriller“, Rocky Horror’s “Time Warp“.    Plus a Michael Jackson Impersonator will be there!

Blake Academy will be taking over part of South Kentucky Avenue and showing off everything that makes them so special.  Enjoy the jazz band and the pinwheels for peace, the CO2 car races and other technology exhibits.  If you like what you see, Blake will have representatives available to discuss their open enrollment!

Lake Mirror:

Come join us on Lake Mirror on First Friday, October 2 and enjoy a German Buffet for  $9.99 from 6-8pm ( Purple Cabbage, Weiner Schnitzle, Hot German Potato Salad and More!). Music provided by The Sofa Kings from 7:30 – 11pm • Garden Bistro, next to Hollis Garden on Lake Mirror Promenade • Plenty of parking next to Hollis Garden. 686-3332

Parking’s a snap in Downtown Lakeland during First Friday! Did you know that all metered and permit parking is FREE after 5pm and all weekend long?  That means Main Street garage, both the public parking entrance on Cedar and the Man Street permit entrance are open to the public for FREE parking.  Plus, the large permit lot on the corner of Cedar and Massachusetts is available, plus the Bay Street parking lot is available!  On street parking available everywhere except Kentucky between Lemon and Oak.

ALL this and more makes…

Giftware, crystal wine & cocktail glasses, Life is good funwear, Crocs shoes, Antiques & collectibles, stained glass tools & supplies,  jewelry, gold & silver, and lots more!

Bonus shopping time…..Tents up ’til 8pm during First Friday!

Shops to shop!:  Home Essentials, Lloyds of Lakeland Antiques, Parresol Jewelers, My Cottage Garden, and Southern Art Glass.

Coupons for The Purple Onion Deli, and The Antiquarian Restaurant will be given out.  There will be a drawing to win a $100. Gift Certificate from Home Essentials.

Shop and Save on Holiday entertaining needs & gifts!

Call (863) 687-3600 for more information.

Chicken and dumplins, baked apples or toss salad $6.95

Plenty of parking next to Hollis Garden!