Happy weekend, Winter Haven! In today’s happening-today edition: Spirit squad national title, bigger Brick or Treat, and free ski show + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Winter Haven protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Top honors at nationals: Winter Haven’s Spirit Squad from Haven Worship Center won the 2026 National Junior Bible Quiz Festival in Springfield, Virginia, finishing 7-2 in finals as a new individual JBQ challenge debuted -- see how they won.
More fall fun ahead: Winter Haven's Legoland Florida will launch an earlier, bigger Brick or Treat with 18 dates. Character meet-and-greets, The Great Monster Chase 4D, and Monster Skytacular drone show, included with admission -- get the full details.
Infrastructure upgrade ahead: Winter Haven plans a $2.04 million Roosevelt Drive extension to Register Road, adding sidewalks and rain gardens. Pending final approvals, Ajax Paving could start construction later this month -- check the road plans.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Camp close to home: When you want a low-stress change of scenery without leaving town, Cypress Campground & RV Park brings the goods with a clubhouse and heated pool, mini-golf, bocce, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. Perfect spot this week to host RV friends or sneak in a family camp night, no long drive required.
Dial in your swing: Skip the guesswork and see your numbers, Dundee Road Golf Range has covered Toptracer bays that make practice feel like a game, plus a simple shop for regrips and tweaks. Handy when the clubs are dusty, and they even loan you a stick if you forgot yours.
Seafood fix, sorted: Weeknight craving calling? Harry's Old Place is lakeside on Lake Ned with Florida seafood vibes, a big fresh-fish selection, and the kind of locals-only energy that’s kept it humming since 1992. Grab a friend, swap fish tales, and make it your midweek win.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🥕 Winter Haven Farmers Market Summer @ Magnolia Ave, Winter Haven, FL, United States, Florida 33880 | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Saturday’s farmers market is peak Winter Haven, best enjoyed before the pavement starts sizzling. Farmers, food trucks, fresh produce, handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers turn out, then pack up early for summer. Shorter hours, same quality, blessed shade.
🛍 Winter Haven Saturday Markets @ Central Park | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a Saturday wander through a free market of 100-plus local vendors, live music, and food trucks scenting the block. Expect arts, crafts, authors, and half of Winter Haven, plus enough browsing to count as cardio, therapy, and dinner planning, all at once.
✊ 2026 Juneteenth Celebration @ Winter Haven Recreational And Cultural Center | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to skip yard work, the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration is it. Live music, local eats, family fun, and history lessons without the pop quiz, all at the new Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center, await.
🦸 Magic - Marvel Super Heroes Prerelease @ Doombrowski Games & Comics | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – Sealed Magic meets Marvel flair, with 45 minutes to brew your deck and three 55 minute best-of-three Swiss rounds to test it. Win a match, get a booster, whiff completely, still get one. $50 to play, like poker night, but with capes.
🎿 Free Ski Show @ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – Nothing says old Florida like a free Cypress Gardens water ski show, complete with spray, pyramids, and a little cheese. Bring a chair or blanket, let the dog supervise, and let concessions handle dinner, because lawn seating pairs nicely with fried things and bragging rights.
🕯 Pour Decisions: Ladies Night @ FLAME candlestudios | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Think you can pour with the best of them? Grab your gals for a sexy, sassy, classy night of cocktails and luxe candlemaking at Winter Haven’s award-winning creative lounge, FLAME candlestudios. Craft a premium candle, sip something lovely, and call it self-care that actually lasts.
🎸 Tanners Lakeside Live Music @ Tanners Lakeside | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Lakeside evenings call for live music and something cold, so Tanners Lakeside is hosting the debut of John Hindman & The Mustang Mafia. Expect tight tunes, great food, and water views, with zero actual mustangs or mobsters. Locals night, Winter Haven style. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Winter Haven report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 38%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. West southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 98. West northwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 39%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West northwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis 3,002-square-foot Dundee estate spreads across 1.7 private, oak-shaded acres behind a secure block wall and three automatic gates. The main home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a chef’s kitchen, and a luxe primary suite, while the detached 4-car garage, 220V workshop, office, showroom, and enclosed pool compound steal the spotlight.
Take a peek inside → |
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