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Lakeland Civic Club

9201 Fletcher Trace Parkway

Mission Statement
The object of the Lakeland Civic Club (LCC) shall be to promote unity and harmony, enhance the quality of life, and promote individual, civic, and commercial growth by providing innovative community leadership within the city of Lakeland, Tennessee.

History of Lakeland Civic Club
The Lakeland Civic Club has long been a significantly positive force in the city of Lakeland, Tennessee. The LCC was created by Tom Jenkins and Winslow Ward in November, 1981. They incorporated the LCC and created the by-laws of the club. Seven families shared in the creation of the club in order to build a non-profit, non-political association of neighbors and friends that could promote positive community involvement. Hence, the LCC established its membership with a door-to-door canvass and an "open to all" membership decree. The club began to grow steadily over the entire city beginning with 30 charter members.

The early years witnessed some excellent programs and projects, some of which are still very much alive in Lakeland today. The Lakeland Civic Club Annual Funfest began in the first year of our existence. The LCC Ice Cream Social in late summer is still very popular. Our Lighting of the Greens at Christmas is a special time for all of us. The LCC Election Forum is an opportunity for all citizens to see our candidates stand together and respond to questions that concern the public. The entire city is invited and many people attend.

Many other projects and programs have been invented by the club and passed on to other groups to manage as our city has grown. The LCC Christmas Parade has been given to our city government to manage since our city's expansion required much more official controls. Our LCC Easter Sunrise Service which was born in the backyard of Tom Jenkins in 1978 and became a wonderful community event has been transferred to our local churches. Our Pictures with Santa and Pet Pictures with Santa project which were very popular and a lot of fun have been adopted by Belz Factory Outlet Mall in order to expand it and staff it more extensively during the holidays.

As the 1980's moved into the nineties our club has developed and nurtured the Funfest into an event admired by many people all over the South. Funfest, which began as a 5K run, evolved into a major barbecue cooking contest that is now The Funfest Tennessee State Championship BBQ Cooking Contest. Now in its 18th year Funfest boasts 70+ teams and thousands in attendance for a three day Father's Day Weekend complete with a carnival and midway and the Funfest Car Show. Funfest has become our primary focus and it is our fundraising project that finances all other Lakeland Civic Club goals and objectives.