City of Lake Wales

Plant and garden lovers unite! The Woman’s Club of Lake Wales is hosting its Second Annual Plant & Garden Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 19th and 20th. Spend the day on the beautiful grounds of the Woman’s Club Historic clubhouse with a scenic view of Crystal Lake. This free event will have over fifty vendor booths offering hundreds of beautiful plants and garden accessories. A wide variety of food choices will be available for purchase. The event will be held rain or shine. The festival is a benefit for funding scholarship programs and community service programs through the GFWC Lake Wales Woman’s Club. Last year, the organization raised over $2,500 awarded to Lake Wales High School graduating seniors pursuing higher education. The Woman’s Club is located at 275 East Park Avenue in downtown Lake Wales. The festival hours are Saturday, Oct. 19th from 9am to 3pm and Sunday, October 20th from 9am to 2pm.

The Northwest Neighborhood Sidewalk Improvement project is in full swing. The sidewalks on Florida Avenue have already been poured. Crews have moved west, pouring concrete and framing parts of F Street and Harding Avenue as well. In 2020, City staff identified a pedestrian safety concern for residents living in the Northwest Neighborhood. Staff submitted for a state grant and was awarded money to make an impact on the infrastructure in the Northwest Neighborhood. Construction plans include rehabilitating preexisting sidewalks as well as adding new sidewalks along established streets without sidewalks. Lake Wales is one of ten Florida communities to receive funding through the Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Community Development Block Grant – CV program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The enhancements will help improve pedestrian safety. It’s action step number 11 in the City’s Lake Wales Connected Plan. For more information visit https://ow.ly/n2FQ50TvLQ4

There’s a new date for the Lake Wales Car Show in the historic downtown district. This free event will now occur on the first Saturday of each month between 4pm and 7pm, starting on Saturday, October 5th. For the last 14 years, the Car Show was held on the fourth Saturday of each month. Get up close and see customized late-model cars and trucks, some dating back to the 1920s. East Stuart Avenue will be blocked from First Street to Scenic Highway. South Market Street will be blocked from East Stuart Avenue to Central Avenue.

The City of Lake Wales hosted a Health Fair for employees. A dozen vendors lined the breezeway at the entrance of City Hall, ready to answer questions. There were prizes and giveaways for all who attended. Most employees took advantage of chair massages and biometric screenings. Also, vaccinations were available from Walgreens. One of the highlights of the Health Fair was the 'Make Your Own" Trail Mix Bar, which was full of healthy nuts and snacks.

Check out the machines used to generate printed collateral, such as newsletters, flyers and brochures. City staff in the Communications & Engagement Department is partnering with C&D Printing & Packaging to reduce printing costs and increase speed-to-market delivery. “It’s great we’re adding a printing vendor to our portfolio which also includes local businesses Native Imagery and Action Signs,” Eric Marshall, Communications & Engagement Director said. The City’s survey results indicate citizens prefer a blend of print and digital media. Industry-wide, there’s a big demand for both types of media in the public and private sectors. “The demand places a strain on delivery timeframes for printed materials, so we need to strategize to meet our deadlines in a cost-effective manner,” Marshall said. C&D Printing & Packaging has been in business for 50 years with a team of specialists with 25 years of collective experience.

As we look forward to this year’s Lake Wales High School Homecoming Parade, here is a look back at parades from the past. School spirit soars during homecoming week and that was true even a half century ago. These parade pictures represent the years 1972 through 1975. Photos courtesy of Fox Rawlings LWHS Class of 1974.

The City’s Lake Wales Economic Development Strategy was awarded the 2024 Aliceann Wohlbruck, National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) award. Recipients of the award are nationally recognized for their efforts in advancing regional planning, economic development and resilience. The award program recognizes achievements in the areas of infrastructure, community engagement, workforce development, emergency preparedness, local business support, human services and much more. The strategy was submitted by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, for its efforts in community outreach and engagement. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/eYb5ciV8

City staff and members of the community gathered to celebrate first-time homeowners Allen Johnson and Carolyn Carrington. The homeowners were awarded $40,000 in down payment assistance through the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Jeff Bagwell, with the Keystone Challenge Fund, also qualified for the Developer Incentive Program through the CRA. As a result, impact fees were waived. Citizens interested in qualifying for the affordable housing down payment assistance program are encouraged to contact CRA Coordinator Cheryl Baksh at (863) 678-4182 ext. 1337. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/eDSzCEa4

Check out the progress being made on Florida Avenue as the NW Neighborhood Sidewalk Improvement project continues. Crews began pouring concrete following the excavation and framing of the sidewalks. Florida Avenue is part of the first phase of the project. Phase one of the project is expected to finish by the end of October. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/g5ae4NGr

The City of Lake Wales proclaimed September 21st as the International Day of Peace. Rotary District Governor Chevon Baccus accepted the proclamation on behalf of the local Rotary Clubs. Area Rotary Clubs are planting Peace Poles to focus their communities on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Recognizing September 21st as International Day of Peace WHEREAS, Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves; and WHEREAS, Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts; and WHEREAS, Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures; and WHEREAS, Worldwide Rotary Clubs are promoting a global initiative to focus their communities on peacebuilding and conflict resolution; and WHEREAS, Peace Poles are intended to inspire unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds; and WHEREAS, there are over 250,000 Peace Poles planted over the world; and WHEREAS, the City of Lake Wales is partnering with local Rotary Clubs and other community groups that want to spread the message of peace, respect, tolerance and friendship; and WHEREAS, the City of Lake Wales encourages citizens to join with the city and organizations to become partners and take responsibility for bringing the community together with peace and kindness for ceremonial Peace Pole plantings and throughout the city. NOW, THEREFORE, the City of Lake Wales wishes to join Rotary and other organizations to proclaim September 21st as INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE And encourage organizations and individuals throughout Lake Wales, and the World, to support these initiatives.