SUN 'n FUN 2016 Kicks Off Tuesday
The 42nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo presented by VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association will take place Tuesday, April 5 – Sunday, April 10, 2016 in Lakeland, Florida. Gates open daily at 8:00 a.m. with workshops and forums for all ages beginning at 8:30 a.m. Spectacular airshows begin daily at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and 1:30 p.m. Friday – Sunday, weather permitting. Attendees will enjoy over 500 exhibitors, a Kids Zone play area, tours, displays, a wide variety of food vendors, car shows, evening entertainment, and much more. Details and directions are available on www.sun-n-fun.org.
“The Fly-In is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said John “Lites” Leenhouts, President/CEO of SUN ‘n FUN. “Proceeds from all events on the SUN ‘n FUN Convention Campus throughout the year support Aerospace Center for Excellence STEM education programs, including over $430,000 annually in scholarships for students pursuing aerospace and aviation careers.”
General admission rates for daily tickets are $37/adult and $15/youth (ages 11-17.) Children 10 and under are free. Weekly admission passes are $150/adult and $60/youth. Parking is cash only at $10/day or $40/week. Florida residents with photo ID can come back free on Sunday, April 10 with each admission ticket purchased on Saturday, April 9.
Honoring Our Armed Forces is the theme for the week and each day will be dedicated to a specific branch of the military. Active military personnel with appropriate ID will receive free admission Tuesday ‒ Thursday and discounted admission Friday – Sunday at the gate. Retired military with appropriate ID will receive discounted admission Tuesday – Sunday at the gate.
A major highlight of the week will take place at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 when a Flight to Honor will arrive, returning WWII and Korean War veterans from a special visit to the memorials in Washington D.C., along with much fanfare. Attendees are encouraged to stay on the grounds after the daily airshow to participate. Local citizens are invited to take advantage of free general parking after 5:00 p.m. (Thursday, April 7 ONLY) and come out to honor these hometown heroes. Food vendors will remain open through the evening.
Airshow performers include:
- F22 Raptor Demo
- F/A-18 Super Hornet
- USCG SAR demo with Dolphin, C-130
- US Army Golden Knights
- USN Legacy Flight
- Red Bull Air Race World Championship Demo (Race course with 80’ pylons)
- Michael Goulian
- Kirby Chambliss
- Patty Wagstaff
- AeroShell Team
- AeroStars
- Lima Lima Flight Team
- EAA Warbirds (30+ minutes per day)
- Breitling Jet Team
A twilight midweek airshow is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. The evening program on Saturday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m. will include fireworks with a night airshow.
Event attractions include improved and increased flightline viewing areas, daily autograph session with airshow performers, Thunder Alley Vintage Jet Display, Victory’s Arsenal showcase series, B-17 Bomber with rides available, and much more. And, making its first appearance at SUN ‘n FUN will be the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter!
In the Southeast Exhibit Area, guests will find hospitality at the International Visitors Center and Veterans Plaza. Brass Era cars will be on display Wednesday, April 6. Corvettes will be on display Thursday, April 7. 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 upgrade is available for purchase again this year. Attendees who take advantage of this option will enjoy direct line-of-sight viewing to incredible feats of aviation during the airshows along with the convenience of an air-conditioned chalet, outdoor patio seating, food, beverages and southern hospitality.
Attendees and fans are encouraged to use hashtags #SnF16 and #LoveFL on social media while posting about the Fly-In and can keep up with all the fun on facebook.com/sunnfunflyin and twitter.com/sunnfunflyin.
Schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found at www.sun-n-fun.org.
Can’t be at SnF in person? Don’t miss out; tune in! SUN ‘n FUN Radio audio streams LIVE on www.LiveATC.net/snf all six days!
You can also catch all of the action by keeping up with our social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Make sure to download our mobile app and follow us on Periscope for LIVE broadcasts throughout the week!
