Mark your calendars for aviation’s season opener! The 42nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo presented by VISIT FLORIDA is April 5-10, 2016 in sunny Lakeland, Florida. This year’s theme is Honoring Our Armed Forces. The Fly-In is SUN ‘n FUN’s largest fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a 25-acre, 11 building campus dedicated to aerospace and STEM education. Approximately 200,000 guests, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and performers are expected to attend. Proceeds from the event support numerous community activities in addition to ACE.
Active military personnel with appropriate ID will receive free admission Tuesday – Thursday, and discounted tickets Friday – Sunday at the gate. Retired military with appropriate ID will receive discounted tickets Tuesday – Sunday at the gate.
The highlight of the week will take place at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 when a Flight to Honor will return along with much fanfare from Washington D.C. carrying WWII and Korean War veterans.
Over 50 airshow performers have been scheduled, including:
- Breitling Jet Team
- U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
- U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet Demo
- USAF F-16 Viper demo
- USMC aerial demo
- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue demos
- U.S. Navy Legacy Flight – back after three years, a dramatic formation flight with modern tactical jet and vintage WWII fighters!
- Daily Vintage Warbird Flying Showcase featuring EAA Warbirds of America
- U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
- And much more!
Event attractions include improved and increased flightline viewing areas, daily autograph session with performers, Thunder Alley Vintage Jet Display, Warbirds in Review showcase series, B-1 Bomber static display, and much more. And, making its first appearance at SUN ‘n FUN will be the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter! A twilight midweek airshow is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. The evening program on Saturday, April 9 will include fireworks with a night air show.
In the Southeast Exhibit Area, guests will find hospitality at the International Visitors Center and Veterans Plaza. On Saturday and Sunday, classic cars and motorcycles will be in the area showcasing collections circa 1974 and older.
The 9/27 Club VIP hospitality with flightline seating is available for purchase again this year.
Attendees are encouraged to use hashtags #SnF16 and #LoveFL on social media while posting about the Fly-In.
Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at www.sun-n-fun.org. Keep up with all the fun on facebook.com/sunnfunflyin and twitter.com/sunnfunflyin.
