Calendar
CFAN Calendar of Events
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November – December 2024
November 12
Lunch and Learn – Fluttering Beauty: Your Guide to Butterfly Gardening
Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County/Haines City Water Utilities, at the Haines City Public Library, 111 North 6th St., Haines City from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for an informative course on butterfly gardening the Florida-Friendly way. Enjoy learning about the best plants to provide nectar, shelter, and even host plants for caterpillars while enjoying lunch at this free event. For more information and registration, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yhrw4n35.
November 14
Family Fun with Native Wildflower Bombs
Hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at the Lakeland Public Library – Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 North Florida Avenue in Lakeland, this free, family-friendly event will teach you and your family about native Florida wildflowers and go home with your very own seed bomb. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or j.schelb@ufl.edu for more information, and visit https://tinyurl.com/2hdzh65f now to reserve your spot.
November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 14, 21, 28
Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay
Every Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m., Grady Goat Farm hosts a fun and relaxing yoga class featuring their famous goats. Tickets are $39 for each attendee. This delightful event benefits Project G.O.A.T. (Global Offensive Against Trafficking), a charity that works to protect children. Grady Goat Farm is located at 12551 Franklin Rd in Thonotosassa. Learn about this incredible farm and all that they do by visiting their website at www.gradygoat.org
November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 14, 21, 28
Saturday Night Rodeo
This fun, family-friendly rodeo takes place every Saturday through the end of November from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, located at 3200 River Ranch Blvd in River Ranch. Enjoy the antics of cowpokes and bronco busters as they show off their skills trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and more. Kids are invited into the rodeo arena toward the end of the night to participate in a real “calf scramble.” Tickets are $32.05 for adults, $26.70 for children ages 5 – 12, and children ages 4 and under are free.
For more information, please visit www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/activities/rodeo/
November 16, 30 and December 14, 28
Downtown Farmer’s Market in Lake Wales
The Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market is sponsored by Lake Wales Main Street and takes place every second and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 20 N Market St in Lake Wales. This producer-only market specializes in locally grown, pesticide-free produce and plants, baked goods, local honey, Florida grove pepper sauces, cheeses, award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs, homemade jams and jellies, natural pet treats, plus a ton of crafts, clothing, and jewelry. For more information, contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.
November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 14, 21, 28
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market
This vibrant, eclectic market brings the community together every Saturday in Downtown Lakeland with fresh, local produce, live plants, and a variety of hot foods and handcrafted wares. It is located on the 200 block of N Kentucky Ave in Lakeland from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at www.downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org.
November 21
9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Join UF/IFAS Master Gardener Experts to learn nine easy-to-follow principles in your yard that can help protect our natural resources and reduce the amount of water, fertilizer, and pesticides your landscape uses. From 4:45-5:45 p.m. at the Winter Haven Library, 325 Avenue A Northwest, Winter Haven. This is a free event with all ages welcome. Please reserve your spot today: https://tinyurl.com/4wp74j2j
November 22, 30
Living Wreath Workshop @ Bok Tower
A fun new holiday decoration tradition for the family! Come to Bok Tower from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to create your own Living Succulent Wreath, which can be displayed on your door for the holiday season. Choose 15 succulents and follow experts’ instructions to create a beautiful and unique piece of holiday home décor that will last all year long! Price is $60 for members and $75 for non-members. For registration please visit: https://1835.blackbaudhosting.com/1835/Create-Your-Own-Living-Wreath-for-the-Holidays-30Nov2024
November 23 – 24
Plant City Pig Jam
There’s fun for the whole family with live music, kid’s zone, local vendors and sponsors, a bull riding contest, and amazing BBQ at the Randy Larson Softball Fourplex at 1401 Gordon Food Service Drive in Plant City, from 5 – 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. Teams will compete in both professional and amateur divisions, prizes for the top ten teams will be awarded in each of the following categories: BBQ Ribs, BBQ Pork, Beef Brisket, and Chicken. Admission is free, parking is $20. Learn more at www.plantcitypigjam.com.
November 30
Holiday Craft Bazaar
Come visit the family-friendly Small Business Saturday market at Munn Park from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. With more than 50 holiday vendors filling the park, right alongside the Saturday Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market, you can do your part to support small local businesses and get your holiday shopping off your plate early this year!
December 2
UF/IFAS Extension Pesticide Testing
Exams are held from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Please apply and schedule your examination here: https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/ and remember to bring your voucher number for the specific test being taken. For more information, please contact Luis Rodriguez at 863-519-1049 or lrodriguezrosado@ufl.edu.
December 3
Humane Society’s Santa Paws 2024
This is the Humane Society of Polk County’s 10th annual festive fundraiser. It will take place from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at Jensen’s Corner Bar, located at 100 3rd St. SW in Downtown Winter Haven. Come out and enjoy mouthwatering appetizers by Arabella’s, relax with live music by Brass Heart Band, and a Specialty Holiday Cocktail featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Raffles, Silent Auction and Cash Bar, too! Attendees must be at least age 21. Tickets start at $50. For tickets and more information, please visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/spj/event/santapaws2024/
December 7
Birding on the Boardwalk @ Bonnet Springs Park
Visit Bonnet Springs Park for Birding on the Boardwalk, where you can hone your birding and wildlife sighting skills! Located at the Blanton Family Lagoon at Bonnet Springs Park, at 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd. in Lakeland, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Staff and volunteers will have binoculars and birding guides available for guests to use while exploring the amazing variety of plants and animals that can be found at Bonnet Springs Park. For more information, you can call 863-413-0652 or email info@bonnetspringspark.com.
December 13 – 31
Light Up BSP
For two weeks in December, Bonnet Springs Park will transform nightly into a lovely holiday light display. Free entry as always, with activities, festive performances, and holiday lights happening nightly from 6-8:30 p.m. Located at 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd in Lakeland. For more information and details about this and other Bonnet Springs Park events, please visit their website: https://bonnetspringspark.com/light-up-bsp-event-2024/
December 13 – 14 and 20 – 21
Christmas in the Village
This is a drive-through charity event where you can visit an old-fashioned village decorated as a winter wonderland from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club at 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Rd. in Fort Meade. Admission is canned goods, toys, and/or monetary donations. For more information, call 863-285-9121 or go to www.floridaflywheelers.org/events/.
December 14
Ask a Master Gardener @ Lake Wales Farmers Curb Market
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit the Polk County Master Gardener booth at the market for the latest gardening information and get answers to all your Florida gardening questions. Located at 20 N. Market St. in Lake Wales.
