4-minute read
The SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo — one of the largest aviation events in the country — returns to Lakeland Linder International Airport Tuesday, April 14, through Sunday, April 19. This year marks the 52nd annual fly-in.
“This isn’t just a one-week event,” Aerospace Center for Excellence President and CEO Gene Conrad told the City Commission on March 16. “This is the engine that powers everything we do the other 51 weeks of the year.”
Tickets to Sun n’ Fun can be purchased online.
Lakeland’s biggest annual event doesn’t just draw crowds — it helps to fund a year-round pipeline of aviation education and workforce development, translating into both economic impact and long-term community investment.
Economic impact — and beyond
In 2025, over the course of six days, Sun ’n Fun drew:
- 210,000 attendees
- Visitors from more than 80 countries
- Over 3,000 aircraft
- More than 6,000 aircraft operations
- 561 exhibitors and 500+ forums and workshops
The event also brought in 702 media representatives and required a logistical footprint that included more than 600 portable restrooms and 24 shower facilities.
On Saturday alone, more than 18,000 cars were parked on-site.
Conrad emphasized that the broader value comes from how proceeds are reinvested locally.
Revenue from SUN ’n FUN supports the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which operates the Florida Air Museum and a wide range of youth and workforce programs.
“That’s what makes this unique,” Conrad said. “We’re not just hosting an event — we’re reinvesting those proceeds right back into the community.”
A pipeline from ‘cradle to cockpit’
Conrad said programs like those offered by ACE are increasingly important — both locally and nationally — as demand grows for skilled workers in aviation and related industries.
“We’re building that next generation workforce,” he said.
Conrad described a “cradle to cockpit” model — starting with story time programs for children ages 2 to 5, field trips for elementary and middle schoolers, summer camps and a high school aerospace magnet program that includes the Young Aviators Club.
In 2025 alone:
- More than 18,000 youth attended Sun ’n Fun
- 2,501 students participated in field trips during the event
- 105 field trips were hosted throughout the year, reaching nearly 3,900 students
Many of those students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds — about 91.5% — and a majority are students of color, Conrad said.
Hands-on experiences continue through summer camps and into high school programs that connect students directly with aviation careers.
Investing in future pilots
One of the biggest hurdles to entering aviation is cost.
A private pilot’s license typically runs about $12,000, Conrad said — a price that puts it out of reach for many students.
But revenue from SUN ’n FUN is helping close that gap.
Last year, 30 high school students earned their private pilot certificates at no cost through scholarships funded by the event.
“We’re not just inspiring kids,” Conrad said. “We’re helping them get all the way through to a career.”
A year-round destination
All of this activity is centered at Lakeland Linder International Airport, which hosts SUN ’n FUN each spring and serves as a hub for both aviation education and industry.
The Florida Air Museum — located on the airport campus — continues to grow as well. In 2025:
- The museum sold 11,239 tickets
- It had 448 active memberships
- It distributed more than 8,000 free youth tickets
Events like Kids Museum Day brought in 1,500 children in a single day.
Military performances are still on track
Each year, SUN ’n FUN draws major military flight demonstrations, including performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor and the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Rhino Demo Team.
With tensions in the Middle East raising questions about military participation, Conrad said organizers have been asked whether those appearances could be canceled.
“So far, the military teams are still good to go,” he said.
More than an airshow
Conrad framed SUN ’n FUN as part of a larger ecosystem centered at Lakeland Linder — one that blends tourism, education and industry.
“It’s not just about airplanes in the sky,” he said. “It’s about creating opportunities on the ground — for students, for families and for the future workforce.”
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
