Happy Leap Day, Lakeland. The last time we tacked an extra 24 hours to the end of February was in 2020, which got us thinking: What was happening in Lakeland on the last Leap Day?

We took a look at our February 28, 2020 LALtoday newsletter to see what we were up to this time four years ago.

Events we were attending

Were you at the Makers Market hosted by Buena Nights (now Buena Market) last Leap Day? The event kicked off Women's History Month with an all women-owned restaurant tour collab, 30+ local vendors, and a DJ set by T.Couture.

You may have also visited the 49th Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival, a weekend-long event that started on Leap Day 2020.

News we were watching

Last Leap Day, we dove into the Lakeland Economic Development Council's presentation on its 2020 Priorities and Beyond, which proposed an idea to redevelop property around Lake Mirror.

Lakeland was also anticipating the largest hot air balloon festival in Florida, which took place the weekend of Leap Day.

Businesses we were eyeing

At the time, CrossFit Breaking Barbells was celebrating the opening of its new location.

In nearby Plant City, taproom and used bookstore The Tipsy Bookworm (which closed back in September 2022) was planning to open.

Local staple Black and Brew celebrated its 14th anniversary that Friday, Feb. 28 — which means that, if we're doing our math right, 2024 marks 18 years of delicious coffee, tea, and eats.
In the NL, plan to cut before "businesses we were eyeing," just include the line below, and CTA to the rest.

Stressed about time moving so quickly? Allow us to re-share Mayor Mutz's advice circa 2020 (in response to reactions towards the potential Lake Mirror redevelopment): “You can relax.”