Find a complete listing of May and June events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Book Club at Polk County History Center
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- On Tuesday, May 13, bring a lunch and join the History Center for a group discussion of the Florida classic, A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith.
Granny’s Corner Nature Reading
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join Ms. Charlene at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center for nature readings followed by a hands-on activity and walking.
National Bike to Work Day Celebration
Date: Friday, May 16
Venue: Fort Blount Park, Bartow
- Participate in a Team Challenge, register with Commuter Services, bring your bike or your walking shoes and enjoy a special day just for you.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Date: Friday, May 16 – Sunday, May 18
Venue: Theatre Winter Haven
- Norton Juster’s beloved children’s book is given full musical treatment in this acclaimed stage version of the modern tale of a boy who must save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and reunite the brother Kings who rule over the cities of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis.
19th Annual Reverse Raffle
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Lake Eva Banquet Hall, Haines City
- The Haines City Leisure Services Department will host the 19th annual, Reverse Raffle, a fundraiser held to raise money for the annual Thunder on the Ridge event.
Cycle Mania
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- This free family event will include a fun ride, bike rodeo, interactive games, cool giveaways, helmet fittings, free helmets for the first 75 kids and much more.
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Lake Silver, Winter Haven
- The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (reestablished in 2012 by former theme park employees) performs free monthly shows on Lake Silver in Winter Haven every third Saturday.
Run the Ranch 5K
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Westgate River Ranch Resort, River Ranch
- This course will wind its way through the natural beauty of Westgate River Ranch Resort’s 1,700-acre ranch.
Tiger Trot 5K
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Tigertown, Lakeland
- The flat and fast USATF Certified course will start in the stadium parking lot, weave its way through beautiful Lake Parker Park and end on the warning track near third base.
Community Days
Date: Sunday, May 18
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join Circle B Bar Reserve for these monthly free family-friendly events.
- The theme of May’s Community Day is: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs.
Lunch & Learn Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The museum invites guests to bring lunch and listen to a guest speaker on the third Tuesday monthly.
- May’s speaker is: Lucy Nichols who is a member of the 23rd Infantry.
Tram Nature Tour
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- Take a personalized tour of the Banana Creek Marsh with a volunteer guide who will point out plants, birds and history of the property.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Aaron Corbitt at The Loft Art Gallery – Through May 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
Installations by Dan Gunderson & Barbara Sorensen – Through June 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Chagall for Children – Through July 12 (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
All Decked Out – Through July 20 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Lakeland Flying Tigers – Through August 31 (Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland)
Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly
Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays monthly
3rd Saturday Market Bartow – Third Saturday monthly
Highland City Community Market – Third Saturday monthly
Mulberry Farmers Market – Third Saturday monthly
4th Saturday Market Winter Haven – Fourth Saturday monthly
Saturday Night Rodeo – Saturdays weekly (Westgate River Ranch Resort, River Ranch)
Children’s Programming: – Monday through Friday weekly (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
For this week’s sporting events, check out “What’s Happening in Central Florida Sports” on CatchCentralFlorida.com.