In the winter of 1974, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Florida chapter hosted a convention at Lakeland’s municipal airport between Pipkin and Drane Field roads, with dozens of small aircraft flying in for the event.
Now Lakeland Linder International Airport is preparing to host its 50th Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In from April 9-14. Officials expect to have more than 3,100 registered aircraft, 563 exhibitors and upward of 200,000 visitors at the event — the second-largest airshow in the country each year.
“We have every single type of aircraft that you could imagine at the event, whether it’s vintage aircraft, what we call light plane aircraft, sea planes, aerobatic homebuilt aircraft that people are building in their hangars … that they’re going to fly here to show up to our crowds, and also our warbirds. So a little of something for everybody,” Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo President and CEO Gene Conrad told city commissioners on Monday morning. “Also our military aircraft as well. They always are here in a big, big way. We love our veterans. We love our active duty military and they’ll have quite the contingent here as well this year.”
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
Part of that contingent is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-16 precision flight team that will scream across Lakeland’s skies beginning with its Wednesday arrival. The Thunderbirds will also be part of several airshows.
- Conrad said there are multiple shows a various times for everyone from children to jet enthusiasts.
- The afternoon airshows are Tuesday through Sunday, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
- Sunset Aerial Circus at Paradise City on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- The two evening airshows are Wednesday and Saturday from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Things will kick off Tuesday evening with an opening country music concert on the Warbird Ramp, featuring Dylan Scott, and special guests Sara Evans.
By the next morning, the stage will be gone and the Warbird Ramp will be filled with military aircraft — everything from an A-10 fighter jet to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Visitors can even get an up-close glimpse of a HC-130J Coast Guard plane.
Conrad and Eric Crump, vice president and chief operating officer for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, reminded the commissioners what the event is really all about: raising next generation of aerospace professionals.
“Since 2013, when we started our flight training scholarship program, we’ve invested over $3.7 million in scholarship funds for young people in this community to learn to fly and then to go to college or trade school afterward to pursue a career in aviation,” Crump said.
“We talk often about our mission is to engage, educate and accelerate the next generation of professionals,” Crump added. “Engaging happens first at Sun ‘n Fun. It’s a great way to get people’s attention. The other 51 weeks of the year, we’re busy by educating them, but then because of the funds that we acquire through this awesome event, we’re able to provide the programming and then accelerate these kids into their future. So it is a direct investment back into our community.”
A focus on youth
The Aerospace Center for Excellence has a partnership with Polk County Public Schools through the Central Florida Aerospace Academy — a high school for future pilots, mechanics and engineers. In addition, aerospace-themed summer camps and student outreach programs are presented by ACE staff to more than 30,000 students each year, and educator assistance programs provide STEM-based curriculum and lesson plans for teachers at all grade levels. ACE even has a fully functioning Boeing 727 on the campus that serves as a unique learning laboratory.
There are a number of youth activities scheduled during Sun ‘n Fun at three locations: the Skylab Innovation Center, the Buehler Restoration and Skills Center, and the Junior ACEs Tent located in the Future ‘n Flight Plaza. Youth attendees of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo between the ages of 7 and 17 have complete access to all Junior ACE’s activities, including:
- Sphero Robots –Learn coding skills and inventiveness.
- 3D Printing – Transforms ideas from sketches to tangible objects.
- NOAA Science On a Sphere –Earth Space Science on a global display system that projects visualizations of planetary data on a six food diameter sphere.
- Flight Simulation
- Build an airplane
- Build a radio
- Meet real U.S. Air force officers
There are dozens of events each day, with an online schedule and an app that can help remind you of upcoming demonstrations and exhibits.
Volunteers are crucial
At Monday morning’s City Commission meeting, Conrad said he wanted to thank one group of people in particular: their volunteers.
“There are over 20,000 men on record that have volunteered for our organization over the last 50 years. They are the heart and they are the heartbeat of our organization,” Conrad said. “This year during our event, we’ll have over 2,900 volunteers out there to help us get it done. I only have 40 people on my team. There is no way we can get it done without our volunteers.”
Conrad said they help the logistical ballet with everything from parking to driving the internal tram to coordinating airplane, tent and TV parking to taking care of exhibitors and providing security.
“We would not be where we are today without them, so we’re going to celebrate our volunteers this year,” Conrad said.
If You Go
Daily admission is $45 for adults; $20 for youth ages 11- to 17-years-old; 10 and under are free.
Weekly admission for adults is $170; Youth Weekly 11- to 17-years-old is $70; 10 and 10 and under are free.
Florida Resident Special Rates
Florida adult Saturday and Sunday is $45; Youth 11- to 17-years-old $20; 10 and under are free
Florida adult Sunday only is $30; Youth 11- to 17 years old $10; 10 and under are free.
Aviation association discount codes for daily and weekly tickets need to be obtained from the member club before your purchase.
For an additional $35, photographers can get a ticket to preferred seating on the flightline, with complimentary water and other amenities or an elevated “Photo Preferred” viewing area.
Parking
Parking tickets can be purchased online: $10 for a single day or $60 for the week. Oneline is recommended. The parking fee at the gate is $20 for a single day or $80 for the week, cash only. Perferred parking is $30 for a single day and only available onsite the day of the show.
For those who want a more upscale experience, tickets are available again this year for the 9/27 Club. It features an air-conditioned chalet, award-winning food and drink, VIP amenities and the best airshow viewing area on the grounds.
9/27 single-day admission starts at $185. 9/27 single day, plus parking and shuttle starts at $220. Wednesday and Saturday are sold out.
Camping
Weekly Airplane Camping is $448 for two people
Fly ‘n Early for Saturday, April 6 through Thursday, Apirl 11 is $310 for two people.
RV and tent weekly camping is $448 for two people.
Child care
New this year, Kids Club After-Hours Childcare is available Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. for $40 per child, ages 2- to 10-years-old. Parents can enjoy the SUN ‘n FUN night life while kids play in the air-conditioned Family Oasis tent. Each night is themed with fun play including STEM activities, dinner, and snacks. Carilly: Childcare Made Simple is providing the staffing.
The evening childcare event schedule:
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Open Play, Crafts & Activities
6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. – Dinner
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Snack time and Movie Showing/Open Play
Tuesday — Country hoedown
Wednesday — Kaboom Fireworks!
Thursday — All About Planes with a paper air plane flying contest
Friday — America The Beautiful, honoring the military
Saturday — Glow Party
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