CFAN Calendar of Events 

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May – June 2025

May 9

Hurricane Prep for Central Florida Yards 

Join your UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and Lakeland Water Utilities for a helpful community meeting to help residents prepare their yards and homes for storm season. A great excuse to gather tips and gain awareness of hurricane readiness and visit beautiful Hollis Gardens, 702 East Orange Street in Lakeland. This free event is from 10–11 a.m. and will be helpful to all homeowners. 

May 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 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 (except in August) and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at www.downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org. 

May 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 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 younger are free. For more information, please visit www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/activities/rodeo/. 

May 10, 17, 24, 31

Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay

Every Saturday from 10–11:30 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. 

May 11

Mother’s Day at the Gardens

Bok Tower is welcoming all moms to visit free of charge on Mother’s Day this year! Celebrate your mother, being a mother, or a mother-to-be with beautiful views of the tower and gardens with Carillon Concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Gardens are open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and are located at 1151 Tower Blvd. in Lake Wales.

May 12

Grow Your Own Mushrooms!

From 6–7 p.m., UF/IFAS Extension Polk County will be hosting a hands-on mushroom growing workshop at Swan Brewing! Located at 115 West Pine St. Lakeland, this workshop will instruct participants how to create and take home their very own oyster mushroom garden. Cost is $20, and all ages are welcome. If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or j.schelb@ufl.edu.

May 17 and 31, June 14 and 28

Downtown Lake Wales Farmer’s Market

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, you can contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.

May 17, June 21

Ask A Master Gardener at the Lakeland Farmers’ Curb Market

From 8 a.m.-2 p.m., visit the Polk County Master Gardener Volunteer booth for the latest gardening information and to ask gardening questions.  Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market address: 117 N. Kentucky Ave. in Lakeland.

May 21

Southwest Florida Small Farmers Networking Meeting

Join the Southwest Florida Small Farmer Network for a half-day, peer-to-peer networking workshop, with lunch hosted by UF/IFAS Extension. This network is open to established and beginning farmers in Southwest Florida. Held at Stalk & Vie on 39, 14923 South County Road 39 in Lithia, participants can arrive to register at 8:30 a.m. Then the day begins with a tour of the farm and farm equipment about 9 a.m. and ends after lunch at 1 p.m. Workshop is free but registration is required; visit https://tinyurl.com/3468pbck

May 22

LCLM/LLO/O&T Pesticide Prep Training

Join instructor Luis O. Rodriguez for limited commercial landscape maintenance license, limited lawn and ornamental license, and ornamental and turf license training. $20 entry fee, which includes lunch and an afternoon of training, and 6 CEUs,  and ending the afternoon with testing from 3– 5 p.m. Held at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service, 1702 S. Holland Pkwy. in Bartow. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2rvjsjyh for tickets and registration. 

May 24, June 28

Ask A Master Gardener at the Lake Wales Farmers’ Curb Market

From 9 a.m.-12 p.m., visit the Polk County Master Gardener booth at the Lake Wales Farmers Curb Market for the latest gardening information and to ask gardening questions.

May 27

Pollinator Paradise: The Plants They Can’t Resist

Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County for a morning learning how to create and sustain a beautiful paradise for pollinator insects in your backyard. From 10 –11 a.m., this free event is open to all ages. Located at the Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Drive in Lakeland. If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or j.schelb@ufl.edu. 

May 28

Beekeeping Basics Workshop

Did you know that approximately 85% of all Florida crops are pollinated by honeybees? Have you ever had an interest in becoming a beekeeper? Join UF/IFAS Polk County Extension for a workshop from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., perfect for any beginner beekeeper.  Learn about the laws and regulations of beekeeping, bee biology and live demonstrations. Please wear closed-toe shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and pants for this event. Cost is $20, and lunch is provided. Located at 1702 S. Holland Pkwy Bartow. For more information, please contact the organizer at: 863-519-1049 or lrodriguezrosado@ufl.edu. 

May 29 and 30, June 26 and 27

2025 Wawa Summer Fun Day @ Bok Tower Gardens

The Wawa Summer Fun Days have returned! Back by popular demand, Bok Tower welcomes guests to hike the trails, smell the flowers, and watch the squirrels with the sounds of the carillon tower, free of entry costs, on the last Thursday and Friday of each summer month, May through August, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. For more details and registration (required for free entry) visit: https://tinyurl.com/28tn6kjc

June 3 

Cattle Breeding Season Management Webinar

Learn about the economics of controlled breeding season, genetics in herd bull management, and more. This webinar is presented by UF/IFAS Extension and is from 6–8 p.m. https://jun3cattlebreedingseasonmanagementwebinar.eventbrite.com

June 15

Father’s Day at the Gardens

Bok Tower is welcoming all dads to visit free of charge on Father’s Day this year! Celebrate your father, being a father, or a father-to-be with beautiful views of the tower and gardens with Carillon Concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Gardens are open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and are located at 1151 Tower Blvd. in Lake Wales.