The annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-in & Expo is hitting a benchmark April 1-6. Also hitting a milestone this year is SUN ’n FUN Radio.
Twenty years ago, as the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-in & Expo feted its 20th year, a media volunteer launched a new communications service for guests at the fly-in.
The 1995 event saw the debut of SUN ‘n FUN Radio as one person worked in a cramped 5 X 6-foot room in the old Media Center to accomplish all the tasks from preparation to broadcast. SUN ‘n FUN Radio succeeded, grew, moved, grew more and moved again over the years, becoming a stand-alone, volunteer broadcast service and internet streamer heard around the world today.
On its 20th anniversary, SUN ‘n FUN Radio plays a more significant role than ever as volunteers under the tutelage of the originator, Dave Shallbetter, continue to promote the myriad of events, participants, exhibitors and sponsors.
Station facilities have grown, with the radio station in its own offices on Dlub House Row adjacent to the Sunset Grill.
Nearly 40 SUN ‘n FUN Radio volunteers interview, produce and edit broadcasts as their programming is heard across the grounds and around the world thanks to the Internet and live streaming.
As part of the 20-year commemoration, SUN ’n FUN is launching a fundraising effort to improve the radio station’s facilities. Officials note the Interview Deck needs work and expansion, editing facilities are still being updated and a back deck would allow more people to visit the station away from the broadcasting center.
With these needs in play, SUN ‘n FUN Radio set some goals for facilities improvements that will happen with the help of underwriters and sponsors — benefactors who would be publicly credited in many ways through the next year to five years. Read more here about the opportunity to be a part of the SUN ‘n FUN Radio broadcasts as well as having a year round presence in social media and aviation websites.
For more information: Sun-n-Fun.org