The skies over Lakeland will be busy this week as the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo returns to Lakeland Linder International Airport for its 51st edition with seemingly something for everyone.
The six-day event, which begins Tuesday and runs through Sunday, features a marquee event every evening, highlighted by the return of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team.
And while the Blue Angels — which rotate with the U.S Air Force’s Thunderbirds every other year — grab most of the event’s headlines, Sun ‘N Fun is more than an air show.
“Even if you’re not an aviation enthusiast, there is plenty to see and do,” said Sun ‘N Fun President and CEO Gene Conrad. “It’s good family fun.”
The price: Ticket prices start at $50 per day with members of the military getting in for $45. Youth tickets (ages 13-17) cost $20 per day with children 12 and younger getting in free.
There are also weekly passes available beginning at $180 for adults, $150 for military and $70 for youths.
There is paid parking available, with online purchases for $12 for a single Day and $55 weekly.
Warmed up: A pair of U.S. Air Force F-35 jets were buzzing neighborhoods around South Lakeland Monday afternoon, warming up for their Tuesday performance.
You’ll find the full air show schedule here.
There were more people hammering nails into boards on Monday than pilots putting the hammer down in their jets, but that will quickly change on Tuesday at 1 p.m. The F-35s get a full day of flying performances started, featuring both jet and propeller-powered aircraft.
The day’s flying sets the stage for country music star Tyler Hubbard. The lead singer of the multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line is part of an entertainment lineup that caps off each day’s activities. Admission to the concert is included with a daily ticket or weekly pass.
The evening entertainment schedule is here.
There will be fireworks: Wednesday and Saturday’s schedules culminate with aerobatic flying performances accompanied by fireworks and music.
“If you have seen Disney World fireworks, our fireworks are Disney World times 10 on steroids,” Conrad said.
“Our fireworks are choreographed to music and we have ground-based pyrotechnics. We have the fireworks going off, we have aircraft up in the air with all of this going on, plus drones, and lasers.”
Blue Angels arrive Thursday, perform through the weekend: Like a giant offensive lineman plowing the field of defenders in front of him, Fat Albert, a C-130 Super Hercules, clears the way and lets everyone know that the Blue Angels have arrived.
The 38-foot-tall Albert is 99 feet long and holds all the team’s maintenance and support equipment as well as the personnel that travel with the Blue Angels.
The low roar of Albert’s four propeller-driven engines lift the big guy off the ground for his own short performance. The Blue Angels follow with a dizzying show of barrel rolls, loops and tight formation flying.
The world’s most famous aerial stunt team touches down on Linder’s runway Thursday afternoon, stopping for a quick meet-and-greet with Sun ‘N Fun officials and the media before getting in the air for a day of practice.
While there is no official show scheduled for the day, fans will be able to see plenty as the team of F-18 pilots (seven Navy, one Marine) get a feel for the skies over Lakeland.
The Blue Angels will headline the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows from 4-5 p.m.
Expo and trade show: The Sun ‘N Fun Aerospace Expo is also a convention and trade show, where flying enthusiasts and manufacturers meet. Included on the grounds of the event will be more than 550 exhibitors along with more than 3,000 aircraft that are not part of the air show.
There is a career fair for those looking to get into the industry.
For spectators, there are plenty of food and drink choices, on-site restrooms and water fountains, and areas for younger children that include a daycare and playground.
Nonprofit: “We are a 501(c)(3) and all of the proceeds from this event go back into the community year-round for aviation and educational programming,” Conrad said.
“This isn’t money going elsewhere around the country and around the world. These are programs that we are putting into our families and to our kids here in Lakeland.”
Shawn LaFata is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
