Join us for First Friday: Mardi Gras on February 2 from 6pm to 9pm in Downtown Lakeland. Enjoy food, drinks, beads & more!
Enjoy live music by The Porchdogs in the center of Munn Park!
“The Porchdogs have been playing spicy Louisiana Cajun and zydeco and New
Orleans R&B classics since 1992. The band has had numerous extended and
repeat performances at various Disney venues, at Universal Studios, Busch
Gardens, Cypress Gardens, and Silver Springs; and at many Fairs and festivals,
including 9 years of daily performances at The Florida State Fair and 12 years of
multi-day shows at the Iron Horse Saloon during Bike Week and Biketoberfest.
The Porchdogs are the only act that performed all 15 years at the Fort Lauderdale
Cajun & Zydeco Festival, which during its run was the largest festival of its type
outside of Louisiana.”
See below for a list of food, beverage, and entertainment opportunities.
- Lugo’s Craft Spirits – Delicious rum-based beverages for sale in Munn Park.
- A1 Magic Entertainment LLC and Shimmer ‘n Shine – Free Face painting and balloon sculpting in Munn Park
- Wild Child Sugar Co. – Cotton Candy vendor in Munn Park
- King Cake – Buy King Cake by the slice in Munn Park.
- Pelican Snoballs – Authentic New Orleans snow balls on Main St.
- Balloon Sales – Fun parade merch salesperson roaming around the event
- Don Batata Clown – Roaming clown/juggler
- Beads thrown from the balcony above Harry’s Restaurant at 7pm and 8pm
- Rick Runion – Saxaphone Near Lemon St.
- DJ Chad – Jazz, Blues, and Mardi Gras Style Music near Oak St.
Downtown shops and restaurants will be open late. Don’t miss the Makers Market, featuring local artists and creators, on North Kentucky Avenue, Food Trucks on Pine St., and the Classy Car Show on Tennessee Ave. Streets are closed to vehicles, so come prepared to walk about!
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. 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!
First Friday is supported by our Downtown Champions:
- Just Cares, Inc.
- City of Lakeland
- MOR TV
- Jaguar Land Rover Lakeland
- Crews Bank
- Aerospace Center for Excellence
Please be aware of social media scammers. We will NEVER sell tickets via Facebook or Messenger or solicit vendors via Facebook or Messenger–or in the comments of a post. We will never ask for payment via Facebook or Messenger. All event applications are available via this website, DowntownLKLD.com.
Interested in becoming a First Friday exhibitor? CLICK HERE.
Interested in becoming a Makers Market vendor? CLICK HERE.
Interested in becoming a Food Truck Vendor? CLICK HERE.
Interested in registering for the Classy Car Show? CLICK HERE.