Polk Top 10 - LKLD October 2025

LAKELAND RECORD FAIR, VOLUME VI

Oct. 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Lake Mirror Auditorium. Featuring 25+ vendors with LPs, CDs, cassettes, 7” singles, memorabilia, and MORE! Food and beverages by Concord Coffee, Bandidas Bakehouse, and Lovebird Almost Famous Chicken, and live set by local DJ, Aaron Conely. facebook.com/JesseCarlVinyl

CENTRAL FL FOOD FEST

Oct. 18, 5 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Indulge in food offerings from local restaurants, specialty beverages, live music, and an artisanal maker’s market! Every bite and sip you enjoy helps support the programs, events, and sustainability of Bonnet Springs. Ages 21+ only. centralfloridafoodfest.com

RUN FOR THE BOOLIES

Oct. 4, 6 p.m. at Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland. Run, walk, zombie crawl, or Thriller dance over the finish line and help support the Polk County Bully Project. Bring your dog for the costume contest right before the race! This is a family-fun event. More info on FB @polkcountybullyproject

PACA HALL OF FAME GALA

Oct. 14, 6 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Center. The Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala and Awards Ceremony features live music, an art exhibit, catered dinner, and an awards ceremony highlighted by the induction of the Class of 2025 into the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame. centralfloridatix.com

LOVE QUEST

Oct. 1 – 26 at Theatre Winter Haven. Starring Linda Purl & Patrick Duffy! Two women meet after a bad date goes awry and become friends and allies in this strange new dating world. Each has started with different goals, and they both find something they didn’t expect. theatrewinterhaven.com

RAINBOW ROOTS

Oct. 12, noon – 6 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium in Lakeland. Join the Rose Dynasty Foundation for a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of community, queer history, creativity, and arts! This is a safe and inclusive space that uplifts LGBTQ+ voices through history, art, music, local vendors, and more! rosedynastyfoundationinc.org

JUNIE B.’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, JR

Oct. 10 – 12 at Lakeland Community College. In this musical adaptation, Junie B. shares her hard-earned wisdom on everything you need to know about elementary school as she deals with writer’s block and constantly getting into trouble. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS

Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. at Haus 820. This event aims to raise crucial funds to support the work of Gospel, Inc., which serves the formerly homeless in Lakeland. They need your help to continue the ongoing work and extend the Gospel Village solution to more individuals impacted by homelessness. gospelinc.org

OUR TOWN

Oct. 10 – 19 at the Gem Theatre. Performed by The Missing Piece Theatre. Described as “the greatest American play ever written,” the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and what comes after. centralfloridatix.com

MIDNIGHT AT THE MASQUERADE ROAR

Florida’s fundraiser at Eala’s Speakeasy, beneath Frescos Southern Kitchen. Wear your finest evening wear and Venetian mask. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, gourmet bites, live entertainment, and an interactive murder my