The 2021 aerospace expo kicks off a full roster of air shows.
With procedures in place to address ongoing pandemic concerns, the Sun ân Fun Aerospace Expo has renewed itself for 2021.
Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo
Already, 2021 is fulfilling more promise than last year, when one air show after another failed to launch in face the oncoming waves of the pandemic. But this year proves to be different. With appropriate safety measures in placeâand no small portion of pilots now vaccinatedâair shows and other large-scale events can go forward.
Sun ân Fun Aerospace Expo 2021 kicks off this week and runs from April 13 to 18 in Lakeland, Florida, with a full roster of air show events, forums, and exhibits. The daily air shows begin on Tuesday at 1 pm, with events each afternoon to followâwith night air shows on Wednesday and Saturday. Our favorite performers, such as Greg Koontz, Michael Goulian, the Aerostars, Rob Holland, and Patty Wagstaff, will be thereâalon
Itâs back: Sun ân Fun makes its return to Lakeland
By Elizabeth Fry and FOX 13 News staff
PublishedÂ
Elizabeth Fry reports
LAKELAND, Fla. - After a cancellation last year and a postponement this year, Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo organizers are making up for lost time.
The event finally returns to Lakeland will return and will last for six days. It will feature hundreds of exhibits, dozens of forums and workshops, and air shows by some of the best performers in the business.
Of course, it wouldn t be Sun n Fun without the Blue Angels. They will be celebrating their 75th anniversary with all new F-18 Super Hornets. Guests will also get a chance to see the return of Fat Albert affectionately known as Burt. Fat Albert is an ex-Royal Air Force C-130J.
Bill Scott, Brooksville, 1946 Cessna 120
Bill Scott, of Pilots Country in Brooksville, has been attending the expo for 48 years That s right, longer than the event has been named.
Scott said he remembers the first Sun n Fun, where a substantially smaller crowd gathered around hangars on the north side of the airport to look at planes. You start off coming to look at airplanes some, he said. Then you see people, get to know people and keep coming back to see how everyone is doing.
Scott flew in his 1946 Cessna 120 single-engine light aircraft that was mass-produced immediately following World War II. It s the first time the plane is being displayed after a 13-year restoration.
Your daily guide to Sun n Fun s 2021 Aerospace Expo
LAKELAND Thousands of aviation enthusiasts from across the country are arriving in Lakeland for the 47th annual Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo this week from Monday through Sunday. The event features dozens of industry-related workshops, presentations and at least one airshow daily.
Here s some of the highlights, starting with the airshow lineups as selected by The Ledger. A full daily schedule can be found online at flysnf.org.
Air show lineup, by day
All afternoon airshows start at 1 p.m., with the exception of Thursday when the U.S. Navy s Blue Angels are expected to arrive at noon. Sun n Fun hosts two nighttime airshows starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
A record-breaking crowd bodes well for the Lakeland hospitality industry, which has struggled since the onset of the pandemic brought shutdowns and continued economic hardship. Manuel Meza, general manager for Harry s Seafood Bar & Grille downtown, is certainly looking forward to it. I don t know how it s going to be this year in terms of how many people they have flying in, Meza said. But I would say there s a 15 to 20% increase in sales as opposed to if Sun n Fun wasn t in town on the same date range.
In addition to larger crowds, Meza said Sun n Fun also tends to bring in pretty wealthy people, which tends to have a positive effect on the restaurant s bottom line for the week.