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 turned around and wonder what’s happening.
The Ledger has compiled this list of Sun ‘n Fun highlights to help first-time attendees and 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
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
- 7:15 a.m.: Mass Hot Air Balloon Launch.
- 11 a.m. to noon: Meet and greet with airshow performer Greg Koontz – Decathlon.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: History and Legacy of the Doolittle Raiders in Warbird Country’s Victory Arsenal Theatre.
- 1 to 5 p.m.: STEM activities for youth at the Skylab Innovations Center.
- 6 p.m.: Aircraft judging wards handed out.
- 6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Powered parachutes and paragliders in Paradise City.
- 7 to 9:15 p.m.: Nighttime Airshow Spectacular with military demos, fireworks and drones.
- 9:15 p.m.: Three Thieves perform at The Island stage immediately following night airshow.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: STEM activities for youth at the SkyLab Innovation Center.
- 8 p.m.: Movie at the Island featuring “Top Gun.”
Daily Airshow Lineup
Sun ‘n Fun’s daily airshow starts at 1 p.m. and runs until about 5 p.m., possibly longer depending on potential delays and length of performances. The lineup varies daily with U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels practicing Thursday and performing on Friday and Saturday.
The Nighttime Airshow Spectacular begins Wednesday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
Performers are listed in the order of appearance, each starts as soon as the prior performance has safely concluded.
Tuesday afternoon: U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team, U.S. Air Force F-16C demo team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Air Force glider team demo, Titan aerobatic team, Jack Aces, Rob Holland, Kyle Franklin, Nathan Hammond, Redline Airshows, Bob Carlton, Kyle Fowler, Doug Rozendaal, Erik Edgren, Greg Koontz, Chuters parachute demo team and Warbirds show.
Wednesday afternoon: U.S. Air Force glider team demo, Jack Aces, Class of `45, Jeff Shetterly, Larry Kelley, Commemorative Air Force, Rob Holland, Michael Goulian, Kevin Coleman, Kyle Franklin, RJ Gritter, Doug Rozendaal, Jim Peitz, Pivotal Aircraft, Chuters parachute demo team and Warbirds.
Wednesday night: U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team, U.S. Air Force F-16C demo team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, Titan aerobatic team, Red Bull Air Force, Nathan Hammond, Redline Airshows, Bob Carlton, Kyle Fowler, Erik Edgren, Airythmia, Great Lakes Drone Company.
Thursday afternoon: U.S. Navy Blue Angel’s arrival and practice, U.S. Navy E/A-18G demo team arrival and U.S. Navy F-35C demo team arrival.
Friday afternoon: U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team, U.S. Air Force F-16C demo team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Navy E/A-18G demo team, U.S. Navy F-35C demo team, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, Titan Aerobatic Team, Michael Goulian, Skip Stewart, Melissa Burns, Kevin Coleman, Red Bull Air Force, Redline Airshows, Chuters parachute demo team, Warbirds.
Saturday afternoon: U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team, U.S. Air Force F-16C demo team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight,Jack Aces, Class of `45, Michael Goulian, Skip Stewart, Melissa Burns, Kevin Coleman, Kyle Franklin, RJ Gritter, Doug Rozendaal, Jim Pietz, Pivotal Aircraft, Chuters parachute demo team.
Saturday night: U.S. Navy E/A-18G demo team, U.S. Navy F-35C demo team, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, Titan Aerobatic Team, Red Bull Air Force, Nathan Hammond, Redline Airshows, Bob Carlton, Kyle Fowler, Erik Edgren, Airythmia, Great Lake Drone Company.
Sunday afternoon: U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team, U.S. Air Force F-16C demo team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Navy E/A-18G demo team, U.S. Navy F-35C demo team, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, Class of ’45, Jeff Shetterly, Larry Kelly, Skip Stewart, Melissa Burns, RJ Gritter, Jim Peitz and Chuters parachute demo team.
What does a ticket cost?
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate. Weekly admission starts at $180 for adults, age 18 and older; $70 for youth, ages 13 to 17; and $150 for active or retired military, or with membership to an approved aviation association. A single-day ticket costs: $50 for adults, age 18 and older; $20 for youth, ages 13 to 17; and $45 if active or retired military, or having membership in an aviation association. Children age 12 and under are freeFlorida residents and locals can purchase weekend admission on Saturday and Sunday for the same price as a single-day ticket.
Parking: Buy ahead online to save money
Parking isn’t free at Sun ‘n Fun. Buying your parking pass online can save time and money. Single-day parking pass costs $12 online, $20 at the gate. The parking lot opens each at 7 a.m. with admission to the expo starting at 8 a.m.
Have questions about attending Sun ‘n Fun not answered here? Check the event’s FAQ page at https://flysnf.org/attend/faq .