Celebrating SUN ‘n FUN’s golden anniversary

The night air shows on Wednesday and Saturday nights put the party in the 50th-year celebration of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.

Founded as a fly-in by a local EAA chapter, SUN ’n FUN has grown over the last five decades into one of the major events of the air show season, but also as a fundraiser for the organization’s education efforts under the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE).

Anchored by the Central Florida Aerospace Academy and the Lakeland Aero Club on Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL) in Lakeland, Florida, ACE provides more than $300,000 each year for students to gain aviation education, training, and certification.

The 50th celebration opened April 9, 2024, with a nod to the past as SUN ’n FUN President Gene Conrad unveiled a historic marker in front of the Florida Air Museum to celebrate the golden anniversary.

During that ceremony, Conrad announced that the volunteer community, which has tirelessly nurtured and shaped the annual fly-in and other events held year-round on the SUN ‘n FUN grounds, reached a milestone of 20,000 volunteers. Their dedication, from the initial set-up to the final clean-up, is the backbone of the organization.

This year, a staggering 2,900 volunteers worked diligently behind the scenes, led by Volunteer Director Angela Mann.

A record-breaking 560 exhibitors arrived for this milestone fly-in.

And, as of midday Saturday, April 14, the volunteers in the Pilot Registration tent processed a new record of 1,300 fly-in registrations.

Aside from a band of storms that shut down the air show on Thursday, the weather was clear and slightly breezy for the week.

In something new, the show hosted an opening night concert on the Warbird Ramp featuring country music stars Sara Evans and Dylan Scott.

But it was the night air shows on Wednesday and Saturday that amazed the crowds.

Dazzling aerobatic performances of Lee Lauderback in Crazy Horse, Manfred Radius in his glider, the Patriot Parachute Demo Team, a funny UFO act, and the Airythmia Paramotor Team entertained the crowds.

The Ghost Squadron debuted the MIG 29 in coordination with an Alpha Jet and an L-39, simulating a dog fight.

Then came the combination of laser lights, fireworks from On Final FX/Starfire, incendiary explosions from the Commemorative Air Force’s Tora Tora Tora air show, and an aircraft with wingtip flares.

Then came the formation flight of 500 drones to create a memorable sensory overload spectacle.

The drones, choreographed by the Great Lakes Drone Company, formed a giant version of the SUN ‘n FUN 50th anniversary logo. Next, they created a giant sign, followed by a 3-D giant robot. Then the robot lifted its head, and its eyes changed color.

Amid the explosions, blaring music, and fireworks, the drones formed into three biplanes that seemed to dive and lift, then came a fighter plane that rolled slowly. The crowd gasped and cheered and lifted their phones to record the memorable performance.

If you missed it, you can see recordings on the SUN ‘n FUN website and dozens of YouTube channels.

Other popular air show performances included the USAF Thunderbirds, Patty Wagstaff, Mike Goulian, the USN F-18 Super Hornet Demo Team, the Titan Aerobatic Team (the former Aeroshell Aerobatic Team) and more.

While the show was all about celebrating SUN ’n FUN’s past, there was even more emphasis put on the future.

Conrad revealed plans for two new 40-square-foot structures for the SUN ‘n FUN campus, as well as an expansion of the Florida Aviation Museum.

SUN ‘n FUN attendees were invited to preview the master site planning and complete a poll about their preferences for issues to address for the future of SUN ‘n FUN.

This year’s show doubled down on its focus on programs for children and teens with the Future ‘n Flight Plaza, which included the debut of the Flight Sim Experience with a variety of flight simulation software, headgear, and even one dogfighting simulation.

The Future ‘n Flight Plaza also added the Kids Club at the Family Oasis tent for children 2 to 10 years old to participate in evening activities from 5 to 10 p.m. at $40 per child. Dinner and snacks were included with the nightly activities, such as paper airplane contests, making glow-in-the-dark bracelets, and watching the movie Planes.

Youth Activities began at the Buehler Restoration Skills Center, where kids between 7 and 17 got a passport to officially log 10 STEM activities and earn a tool kit. Previously held exclusively in the Buehler building, more activities were added this year in the nearby Skylab Innovation Center and the Junior ACEs tent in the Future in Flight Plaza, such as a session in a Redbird flight simulator and exploring coding skills to operate a ball-shaped robot.

Celebrating Debuts

Junkers Aircraft (pronounced Yoon-Kers) premiered its A50 Junior, recreating the unique corrugated exterior of the taildragger designed by Hugo Junker in 1929.

Junkers also sponsored STOL demonstration flights in Paradise City, the light-sport aircraft area of the fly-in.

Piper Aircraft showcased its first production model of its drool-worthy, six-seat M700 Fury, displaying one of the copper and black beauties in the static display area.

Wing Aviation Drone Delivery presented demonstrations of its drone delivery service at The Island, while LIFT Aircraft drew attention with its Hex single-seat electric-powered ultralight/drone. Attendees were allowed to fly the ultralight with a 30-minute training session.

The Hangar, a new area south of the giant vendor hangars, premiered its stage and large backdrop screen for nightly movies and presentations by the Thunderbirds pilots, USAF Lt. Madson Marsh, the 2024 Miss America, Kermit Weeks, Captain Melanie Kluesner and the F-35 Demo Team, the Zombie Vipers, and more.

Many improvements to the SUN ’n FUN campus were made during the year before the show, including an expanded and enhanced WiFi, a popular request from those attending the show in the past.

More ATMs and charging stations were also added on the fly-in campus.

Under new management, the Sunset Grill became the Sarasota Smokehouse, making it one of 32 places selling food from the popular Corn Roast to finer dining from local favorite Frescos Southern Kitchen and Bar.

To put even more fun in SUN ‘n FUN, guests were encouraged to enter the Fly-In Happy Challenge by taking a selfie in each of six giant Adirondack chairs on campus, scanning the QR code on the chair, and posting the photos on Facebook or Instagram. Winners received prizes, including one lucky fan who won a flight with Nathan Hammon in his deHavilland Chipmunk.

Planning has already begun for next year’s show, which is slated for April 1-6, 2025.

On to the next 50 years!

For more information: FlySNF.org