The Gate Arty Blog - First Friday Archive

First Friday - November 2009

Friday, November 06, 2009 - By Gate Arty

Friday November 6th, 2009 marks Downtown Lakeland's monthly clebration.  November's First Friday themed "Honoring Service" will begin at 6 pm. On the corner of Pine Street & Kentucky  (in front of Brooke Pottery) a string quartet from The Harrison School of Performing Arts will perform.  After this, the color guard & ROTC drill teams from local schools will perform. Schools represented include: Lake Gibson, Lake Region and George Jenkins High Schools.

There will be cloggers & nutcracker dancers along Kentucky Avenue. Senator Paula Dockery will be in Munn Park as well as  WLKF's "MAYHEM IN THE AM" Seth Mela. Come out and enjoy the festivities & support our troops with the veteran-themed event.

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First Friday - August 2009

Friday, August 07, 2009 - By Gate Arty

TODAY, is August’s version of First Friday & this month’s theme is once again, the popular “Dog Days of Summer.” For those of you that resemble your pooches, there is a dog/owner look-a-like contest. This contest will be held at FastFrame on South Kentucky Avenue. There will also be dog obedience skills competitions & training throughout the Downtown area.  

Other First Friday events:

• Local radio personality, Seth Mela from WLKF’s Mayhem in the AM will be in Munn Park.
• The SOFA KINGS will be jamming at the Garden Bistro between 6 pm – 8 pm.
• Classic Car Show on Tennessee Avenue.
• Lofty Ideas will be handing out free bandanas for the canines and samples of Italian ice.
• Arts on the Park will have an art reception between 6 – 9 pm with the theme, “Long Days of Summer.”
• Mitchell’s Coffee House will be featuring the photography of Jose Ramos.

See you there!

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Lake Mirror Fireworks & First Friday - July 2009

Friday, July 03, 2009 - By Gate Arty

This month, our monthly First Friday celebration coincides with “Red, White & Kaboom!” So as usual, go to Munn Park and the adjoining areas for Downtown Lakeland’s First Friday celebration beginning at 4 p.m., but make sure you stay for the fireworks . . . literally. Beginning around 6 p.m. you should make your way down to Lake Mirror & the Promenade. The popular local band, MillHopper will be playing music up until 9 p.m. when the fireworks are scheduled to begin. You can park in the city garages, as they will be open. There will be food & drink vendors during the festivities as well. See you there!

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First Friday - June 2009

Friday, June 05, 2009 - By Gate Arty

The theme for this month’s First Friday event will be very familiar to fans of rock ‘n roll star, Alice Cooper.  June’s First Friday will be titled, “School’s Out for Summer.” If you have children I probably didn’t need to tell you that though, right? As per usual, shops & restaurants open late. Music and entertainment along the streets and a Classic Car Show will be on Tennessee Avenue.

All along Kentucky Avenue you will found countless fun activities for the kids! Bubble-gum blowing contests, hula-hoop contests, water gun games, & an art contest. If the kids still have energy to burn, take them to the bouncy house. There will also be a DJ at Lloyd’s of Lakeland, & face-painting at Lofty Ideas. Traditions Unlimited & Brooke Pottery will also host artistic-related activities. North Kentucky will feature fun geared toward adults. Popular local band, the Sofa Kings will be playing on the patio of the Garden Bistro next to Hollis Gardens on Lake Mirror.

See you there!

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First Friday - May 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009 - By Gate Arty

Friday, May 1st mark’s the First Friday celebration in Downtown Lakeland. This month’s theme is Public Works. This week is National Public Works Week. Munn Park will be filled with displays from the various public works divisions:

· Fleet Management

· Engineering

· Solid Waste

· Parking

· Traffic

· Construction & Maintenance

· Facilities Management

· Lake & Storm Water

There will be displays throughout Munn Park from the various divisions of the Public Works Department.

Now to the fun part . . . on Kentucky Avenue you might feel like you stepped back in a time machine because it will be Retro Night! There will be music courtesy of J. Derb & the 4 Barrel Holleys (6:00-7:00) and The Wedding Party (7:30-8:30). There will be a retro-style fashion show beginning at 7:30.

Look for collection sites throughout the streets of Downtown Lakeland for “Operation Drop Zone.” Think about our troops when you're shopping and buy a few extra things to make their deployment a little less stressful. Items collected will be donated to our troops deployed overseas.

As usual, the streets will be lined with artists, musicians, vendors, & entertainers of all sorts. During First Friday, shops and restaurants stay open late. A classic car show is featured along Tennessee Avenue.

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First Friday - April 2009

Thursday, April 02, 2009 - By Gate Arty

This week marks the monthly First Friday event in historic Downtown Lakeland. This month’s theme is “Bicycle Night.” Enjoy a beautiful bike ride thru the streets of Downtown Lakeland. Many bike clubs & organizations are expected to be present. For the kids, there will be a fun bike parade around picturesque Munn Park beginning at 7 pm. All participants will win a ribbon! Go by Explorations V Children’s Museum first as they will provide decorating stations so the bikes may be properly detailed. FREE bike lights installed & bike helmets fitted while supplies last on the corner of Bay Street & Kentucky Avenue.  As usual, the shops will be open late. Don’t forget to bring your appetite, because there are a multitude of fine restaurants & eateries within walking distance.  Music, arts, & entertainment will fill the street-sides. The popular Classic Car Show can always be found on Tennessee Avenue.  This month’s event is sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation & Polk County Community Traffic Safety Team.

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Exclusive Tour of Lofts on the Park

Thursday, November 06, 2008 - By Gate Arty

In conjunction with the festivities of First Friday, the Group at Keller Williams Realty will be hosting an Open House tour of The Lofts on the Park. Local residents know that this great building is located on Kentucky Avenue adjacent to Munn Park & Lake Mirror. With the resounding turnout last month, there were requests made for an additional Open House tour. Friday November 7 beginning at 5:30 pm is your opportunity if you have always wanted to see the Lofts! Your hosts will be:

Cathy Oliver - 863 286 6732

Christy Gallant - 863 680 9988

Gate Arty - 863 529 3222

Here is a map to the location: MAP

See you there!

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Lakeland Veteran's Day Parade 2008

Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - By Gate Arty

This Saturday (November 8th), following the festivities of First Friday, Downtown Lakeland will have its annual Veteran's Day Parade. The parade will start at 11 a.m. on Lake Beulah Drive at Vetrans Park which is also adjacent to The Lakeland Center. It will conclude at Munn Park.  There will be additonal ceremonies at Munn Park after the conclusion of the parade. Most notably there will be a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall located in Washington D.C. The "Quilt of Tears" will also be on display.

There will be more fun at Munn Park where you can expect to find Jump houses & other activities.The event would not be complete however without food! Along with all the great restaurants in Downtown Lakeland, you will also be able to sample BBQ offered up by AMVETS.

Hope to see you there!

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First Friday - November

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - By Gate Arty

The theme for First Friday this month will be "Honoring Service." A celebration of our honarable veterans.

First Friday will honor veterans on the eve of the Veterans Day parade and celebration in Munn Park on Saturday. As usual, shops & restaurants will stay open late with special discounts in the stores. There will also be music and entertainment along the streets and the always popular Classic Car Show on Tennessee Avenue.

The opening reception of the Polk County High School art exhibition will also kick off this evening. Sponsored by Arts on the Park, the exhibit will run the month of November & is free to the public.

See you there!

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Lofts on the Park Tours on First Friday

Thursday, October 02, 2008 - By Gate Arty

This FIRST FRIDAY October 3rd, Gate Arty & the Group at Keller Williams Realty will host an Open House at The Lofts on the Park on Kentucky Avenue across from Munn Park. Take this opportunity to view this great building in Historic Downtown Lakeland.  Cathy Oliver will be your hostess & if you would like to RSVP, she may be contacted at CathyOliver@gatearty.com or 863.286.6732. Come enjoy all the art, culture, & festivities Downtown Lakeland has to offer. It's truly a great environment to live, work, & play in!

See you there! We'll be there between 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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First Friday - October

Sunday, September 28, 2008 - By Gate Arty

October’s First Friday event in historic Downtown Lakeland occurs 10/03/2008. This month’s theme is “ART WALK.” There will be an art show, “Oncology on Canvas,” featuring artists from all over the world. The featured artists are cancer patients, their families, & health care providers. Attendees can vote for their favorite sculptures along the Lemon Street Promenade, and there will be an opportunity to showcase your own artistic talents on a community canvas along Kentucky Avenue. Don’t miss shows & performances in Munn Park, the classic car show along Tennessee Avenue, and the many shops that stay open late for the event. In conjunction with the event, art galleries in Downtown Lakeland will host art receptions.

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Lakeland Art Festival

Friday, September 05, 2008 - By Gate Arty

If you still have a taste for Downtown Lakeland after the festivities of First Friday, go to the Lakeland Art Festival on September 6th & 7th. J Rowan Galleries will be hosting the event. It will be held on South Kentucky Avenue between Main Street & Lemon Street. Event hours will be 10 am to 5 pm.

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First Friday - September

Thursday, September 04, 2008 - By Gate Arty

This Friday - September 5th marks your monthly First Friday event in Downtown Lakeland. September's theme is "Back to School." Designed as a tribute to educators, there will be special discounts from local stores & restaurants for school employees with their employee ID card. Just a few of the promotions include:

• 10% OFF your dinner bill at Harry's
• 5% OFF permanent discount for school staff at Brooke Pottery
• 10% OFF Framing at FASTFRAME all year long
• $5 OFF your $25 or more purchase at Lloyds of Lakeland plus other discounts up to 50% OFF
• 10% OFF any non-sale items at Nathan's Mens Store & 5% extra OFF on sale items
• 10% OFF your purchase at Traditions Unlimited

Just to name a few!

MidFlorida Credit Union will be sponsoring a drawing for $500 shopping spree. That booth will be located across from Harry's at the corner of Munn Park.

Other fun events include a Guitar Hero station at MidFlorida Credit Union along the sidewalk on the corner of Lemon and Kentucky. See how you compare to other residents! As usual, music & entertainment along the streets, & a Classic Car Show on Tennessee Avenue. Stores & restaurants will stay open late.

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First Friday - August

Saturday, July 19, 2008 - By Gate Arty

Friday August 1st will mark Downtown Lakeland's First Friday event. This month's theme is "Dog Days of Summer." Like in years past, this year's event will also feature many 'dog-centric' activities like obedience training demonstrations, pet portraits, pet & owner look-alike contests, and agility drills by the Lakeland Police Department K-9 unit.  Kids can also expect to see celebrity McGruff the Crime Dog make an appearance.

As usual, Downtown restaurants & retail stores stay open late on First Friday. Many of the restaurants have outdoor seating and, in most cases, dogs are welcome. The SPCA will also be having YAPPY HOUR at Black & Brew. There will be a car show on Tennessee Avenue, along with many local artists, entertainers, & music. Expect to see many other activities during the event as well.

See you there!

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First Friday - May

Monday, April 28, 2008 - By Gate Arty

This Friday, May 2nd, is yet another signature local event. First Friday is a celebration of historic Downtown Lakeland that occurs . . . .you guessed it, the first Friday of every month.  Local artists & musicians are featured along the local streets & storefronts. All shops & restaurants stay open late during the event. The streets are closed to thru-traffic, so get there early! A classic car show is held on Tennessee Avenue. Every month features new & fresh feature events, so be sure to mark every First Friday on your calendar.

Also on the agenda is the Spring Art Festival that will be held in conjunction with the Downtown Farmers Curb Market this Saturday.  The market is located on the corner of Pine Street & Tennessee Avenue.

See you there!

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