The Makings of a Memorable 50th Anniversary Event
Tickets are currently on sale for 2024’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Moreover, buyers availing themselves of advanced online ticket sales will enjoy fifty-percent off event parking.
2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the SUN ‘n FUN fly in. The 09 through 14 April event will strive to honor the pioneers and volunteers by whose industry and expertise the organization has grown from a small local gathering of pilots and aircraft owners to one of the world’s preeminent celebrations of all things aeronautical.
SUN ‘n FUN president and CEO Gene Conrad confided the fly-in’s 50th anniversary iteration will see the entirety of the event’s historic grand-champion and reserve grand-champion aircraft award winners invited back to dazzle as they did in their respective heydays. Additionally, the multi-day happening will see what Mr. Conrad referred to as a “huge warbird presence.”
By way of aerial displays, SUN ‘n FUN 2024 will feature air-show favorites the likes of the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Rob Holland, Patty Wagstaff, Kyle Fowler, and Nathan Hammond, as well as famed military spectacles such as the U.S. Air Force’s celebrated Thunderbirds Air-Demonstration Squadron and F-35A Demo Team, the United States Marine Corps’ F-35B Demo Team, and the U.S. Navy’s famed Blue Angel’s Flight-Demonstration Squadron.
Attendees flying into SUN ‘n FUN may take advantage of a pair of proffered aircraft camping packages, which include three days (Tuesday 09, Wednesday 10, and Thursday 11 April) of event admission and two nights (Tuesday 09 and Wednesday 10 April) of camping. Package One includes a single event admission and runs $190. Package Two includes two event admissions and runs $310. The camping packages are particularly convenient for those planning to arrive in Lakeland early and depart on Thursday, 11 April. Attendees may, however, arrive at the SUN ‘n Fun grounds and camp as early as Saturday, 06 April 2024.
New for SUN ‘n FUN 2024 is the Family Oasis Tent, which will offer parents and children air-conditioned respite from the Florida heat; clean, air-conditioned restrooms; clean water, device recharging stations; adult and children’s seating; and kids’ activities. The Family Oasis Tent is available at no charge to all families attending SUN ‘n FUN.
Parties seeking to enjoy a more highbrow SUN ‘n FUN experience may consider joining the 9/27 Club—an air-conditioned chalet featuring award-winning meals catered by Chef Marcos, a daily happy-hour, Sunday Champagne brunch, access to VIP parking and transportation, and the best airshow viewing area on the grounds.
The chalet will open at 08:00 EDT Tuesday, 09 through Saturday, 13 April, and closes at the end of the evening air-shows. On Sunday, 14 April, the facility opens at 10:00 EDT. Full breakfasts and hot lunches are served daily. Additionally, the 9/27 Club offers: weekly or single-day SUN ‘n FUN admission included with the 9/27 Club Ticket (when pre-purchased on-line); savvy check-in process at the 9/27 Club parking lot or at the entrance to the 9/27 Club Chalet; exclusive air-show viewing area; complimentary water, soft drinks, assorted granola bars, chips, and snacks; complimentary beer & wine (bar hours will be posted); all-day coffee corner; climate-controlled restrooms; device charging stations; transportation to and from the 9/27 Club parking throughout the day (with paid 9/27 Club Parking); and—as no strollers will be permitted inside the chalet—a secured stroller corral parking area.
Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo (stylized SUN 'n FUN) is a Lakeland, Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of aviation education. The organization is best known for its annual fly-in—which pilots and aviation aficionados broadly consider the opening event of the yearly air-show season and early spring’s premier aviation and aerospace hootenanny.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.06.25)
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