Every year, Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo packs the grounds of Lakeland Linder International Airport with thousands of people, more than 500 exhibitors, daily performances and free activities.
From April 1 to 6, the weeklong expo that serves as the primary fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, commonly called ACE, is jam-packed with activities. It can be very easy to feel a bit turned around and wonder what’s going on.
The Ledger has compiled this list of Sun ‘n Fun highlights to help everyone from first-time attendees to seasoned aviation enthusiasts keep track of key events at this year’s expo.
Daily Events
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florida Air Museum open to public.
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Piedmont Aerospace Experience – Boeing 727 tour.
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Flight Line Tours, separate ticket purchase required in Warbird Country/Ramp.
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Career Fair at the Future ‘n Flight Plaza.
- Noon to 1 p.m.: National STOL Daily live interviews in Light Planes/Paradise City.
- 1 to 5 p.m.: Daily afternoon airshow, schedule listed below.
- 4 to 8 p.m.: Corn roast at the West Campground, with live entertainment starting at 6 p.m.
Highlights by Day
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
- 11 a.m. to noon: Meet and greet with airshow performer Airythmia Paramotor demo team at Aerobatic HQ.
- 11 to 11:45 a.m.: Samaritan’s Purse, Responding to Disasters around the World presentation at The Hangar.
- 11 to 11:55 a.m.: “What’s the real cost to own an aircraft?” at CFAA-10
- 6 to 9 p.m.: Opening Day Concert by Tyler Hubbard, featuring Uncle Kracker in Warbird Country/Ramp.
- 6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Powered parachutes and paragliders in Paradise City, weather dependent.
- 7 p.m.: STOL Invitational competition at Light Plane/Paradise City strip.
- 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sunset Aerial Circus airshow at Paradise City.
- 9:15 p.m.: Musical guest Angie K performs at The Island following Opening Concert.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
- 7:30 to 9 a.m.: Women Aces Breakfast featuring multiple speakers at ACE Pavilion, separate ticket require.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “In the Shadows” the story of the A-26 Miss MillionAiress at Victory’s Arsenal Theatre.
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Meet and greet with airshow performer Erik Edgren and T-Clips at Aerobatic HQ.
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Meet and greet with Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner and the F-35A demo team at The Hangar.
- 1 p.m.: “A Day in the Life of a Frontier Pilot” presented by Eric Washburn, CFAA-08
- 4 to 8 p.m.: Corn Road featuring the Rusty Trumpet Band at West Campground
- 7 to 9:15 p.m.: Night Air Show featuring military demonstration, fireworks, drones.
- 9:15 p.m.: Sofa Kings perform immediately following Night Air Show at The Island.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
- 9 to 10 a.m.: Meet and greet with airshow performer Nathan Hammond, Ghostwriter.
- 10 to 11 a.m.: Meet and greet with airshow performer RJ Gritter – Decathlon.
- 10 to 11 a.m.: Commemorative Air Force at the Warbird Ramp.
- 11 a.m. to noon: Meet and greet airshow performer Melissa Burns – Edge 540.
- 11 to 11:45 a.m.: Samaritan’s Purse: Flying the DC-8 at The Hangar.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. : Meet the FAA administrator at the FAA Safety Center.
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Meet and greet airshow performers Ken and Austin Rieder, Van’s RV-8
- Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Meet and greet Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester and the F-16 demo team.
- 6 to 9 p.m.: The Bash Fundraising Event – Ticket purchase required.
- 6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Powered parachutes and paragliders in Light Planes/Paradise City.
- 7 p.m.: STOL Invitational competition in Light Planes/Paradise City.
- 7 to 8:30 p.m: Sunset Aerial Circus airshow at Paradise City.
- 8:30 p.m.: Country Artist Thomas Mac performs at The Island.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: STEM Activities for youth at the SkyLab Innovations Center.
- 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.: U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Youth Outreach presentation at The Hangar.
- 10:45 a.m. to noon: STOL Invitational Pilot meet and greet at Bush Wheel Base Camp.
- 12 to 12:45 p.m.: DreamLaunch Tour: Exploring Unique Career Opportunities in Aviation at The Hangar.
- 4 to 8 p.m.: Academic Drone Soccer World Cup Tournament in the ACE Pavilion.
- 5 to 6 p.m.: Elvis tribute concert at the Jimmy’s World Elvis Jet in Vintage.
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Operation Airdrop recruiting pilots to deliver life-saving supplies in crises at Bush Wheel Base Camp.
- 7 p.m.: STOL Invitational competition at the Light Planes/Paradise City.
- 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sunset Aerial Circus airshow at Paradise City.
- 7:30 to 8 p.m.: U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels crowd interaction and short presentation at The Hangar/
Latest from Lakeland Linder: Avelo will add flights from Lakeland Linder airport to Michigan and Long Island…