January’s First Friday event will take place on January 4, 2019 from 6pm to 9pm in Downtown Lakeland. The theme is Rock the New Year! Local Non-Profits will be “lighting up” Munn Park with information about their organizations, how they give back to the community, and how you can help. Enjoy Lakeland Moonwalk’s Rock Climbing Wall, a DJ playing Classic Rock Music in Munn Park, and a fun event-wide Rock Hunting activity.
Rock Hunting Fun:
Our goal is to turn Downtown Lakeland into one big rock hunt on the night of the event. So we encourage everyone to hide their decorated rocks Downtown for other First Friday visitors to enjoy. Additionally, if you plan ahead, we’ll hide your rocks for you and provide some fun incentives!
- Bring your decorated rocks to the Market Info tent (located on the southwest corner of Pine and Kentucky) at the Downtown Farmers Curb Market on Saturday, December 29 between 8am and 2pm. Not only will we hide your rocks for you on January 4th, you will also receive $2 in Market Bucks to spend like cash with any Market vendor (Bring us as many rocks as you want…but limit $2 in Market Bucks per person).
- Don’t have a rock handy? You can also paint and decorate them at the Market on December 29th for free. We will have supplies at the Market Info tent on the southwest corner of Pine and Kentucky.
- Can’t make it on Saturday, December 29th? You can bring your rocks to the LDDA Office on 117 N. Kentucky Ave. on Wednesday, January 2nd, Thursday, January 3rd, or Friday, January 4th between 10am and 4pm. And we will still give you $2 in Market Bucks to spend at upcoming Farmers Markets in 2019 (Bring us as many rocks as you want…but limit $2 in Market Bucks per person. Market Bucks expire July 31, 2019.).
- We will also be hiding special “giveaway rocks” on behalf of some of our First Friday Exhibitors and Downtown Brick-and-Mortar merchants. If you find a giveaway rock on the night of First Friday, January 4th, you can take them to the merchant or exhibitor listed on the rock for a fun prize worth $5 to $10 (Redeemable from 6pm-9pm on January 4th only unless otherwise specified). Here’s a hint–If you find the LDDA’s special giveaway rock, you can win $10 in Market Bucks!
Downtown shops and restaurants will be open late on First Friday. Don’t miss the Makers Market on North Kentucky Avenue and the Classy Car Show on Tennessee Avenue.
First Friday is a family-friendly event held in the streets of Downtown Lakeland between Lemon Street and Oak Street along Kentucky and Tennessee Avenues. The event features a Classy Car Show on Tennessee Ave and a Makers Market on North Kentucky Ave. Streets are closed to vehicles, so come prepared to walk about! (Interested in becoming a First Friday exhibitor? CLICK HERE)
The Makers Market features local artists, crafters, and other talented folks who make their own goods for sale. Come ready to shop and support local retailers, restaurants and artisans. Listen to performances by local school music groups. Also, check out the Third Rail Second Line Band on North Kentucky Avenue near Oak Street! The band encourages spectator participation, so bring the kiddos with you. (Interested in becoming a Makers Market vendor? CLICK HERE)
On-street parking begins to close in the event area at 3pm to allow us to clear the streets and set up the exhibitors and vendors. Parking in all permitted and metered locations is free after 5pm and all day on the weekends. Event parking is limited, so please carpool with friends and neighbors!
Parking tips:
Downtown offers VALET PARKING! Drop off and pick up at the corner of Lemon and Tennessee (on First Fridays only).
Parking lots available:
- Trinity Presbyterian Parking Lot – corner of Tennessee and Bay
- Oak Street Parking Lot – corner of Oak and Kentucky
- Main Street garage – all day public access from Cedar Street; after 5pm public parking from Main Street
- City Permit Only Lots – all free after 5pm and all day weekends
- Massachusetts between Lime Street and Orange Street
- Tennessee Avenue between Walnut and Lime Street
- Parking lot north of BB&T Bank along the railroad tracks (access off of S. Florida Ave)