April 4, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

76º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. | Sunset 7:47 p.m.

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

✈️ SUN ‘n FUN, you are cleared for takeoff

Fireworks explode in the night sky over several parked fighter jets at the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace expo.

Sparks are sure to fly at the 50th anniversary expo. | Photo by Raimo Roonet

Strap in and prepare for your annual dose of G-force fun. SUN ‘n FUN is back, taking place from Tuesday, April 9-Sunday, April 14 at the Expo Campus (4075 James C. Ray Dr.). Entering its 50th year, the event has grown into one of the largest aviation events ever.

Within the Sunshine State, it reigns as the largest annual convention of any kind, drawing in more than 200,000 visitors. The aviation exhibition showcases hundreds of aircraft, a trade show, 500+ exhibitors, a career fair, and airshows. It also raises funds for programs at the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE).

Six planes fly in a line formation over a control tower at SUN 'n FUN. Each plane has a cloud of vapor trails following it. — SUN ‘n FUN brings together aviation pros and fans alike.
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Photo by @guelito_prspotter

If you’re planning to attend this year’s expo, here’s what you need to know:

Tickets

Both daily and weekly tickets are available, starting at $45 for the day and $170 for the duration of the event. Daily tickets for kids ages 11-17 are $20, and kids 10 and under get in free. Discounts are also available on select days after 5 p.m.

What to do

SUN ‘n FUN offers fun for all members of your family + flight crew. Learn about the history and future of aviation with demonstrations, exhibitors, and displays throughout the expo — even up in the sky above the grounds.

You don’t want to miss day one of the event. Country music artists Dylan Scott and Sara Evans will open the 50th anniversary expo with a concert on Tuesday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

sun-n-fun-fly-in-2017_33152913923_o-XL — Wake up early to see hot air balloon launches around 7 a.m. each day.
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Photo by Catapult

There are plenty of opportunities to see aircraft of all types, whether it’s up close in static displays or in a thrilling airshow. This year’s schedule includes daytime airshows throughout each day, plus nighttime shows on Wednesday, April 10 + Saturday, April 13.

Keep reading for information on parking, kids’ activities, and our top tips for all Lakelanders next week.

More pre-flight information

Asked

How many students engage with ACE per year?

A. 10,000+
B. 17,000+
C. 32,000+
D. 50,000+

Can you ACE this quiz?

Events

Thursday, April 4

After Hours at the Museum | Thursday, April 4 | 4-8 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Walk through the museum after closing time and join a free Curator Tour at 6 p.m.
CPR Training | Thursday, April 4 | 6-10 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $65 | Get certified in Basic Life Support techniques through this class in partnership with the American Heart Association.

Friday, April 5

Open Book | Friday, April 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Pressed Books & Coffee, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Sign up to read an original work or a passage from a favorite book for $5, or join for free as an audience member.
“Witness for the Prosecution” | Friday, April 5-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Buckner Theatre, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | FSC students will bring this suspenseful thriller by Agatha Christie to the stage.

Saturday, April 6

Spring Plant Sale | Saturday, April 6 | 8-11:30 a.m. | City of Lakeland Nursery/Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 US Hwy. 98 S., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop for a wide variety of plants grown by Master Gardener Volunteers.
Mind, Body, Movement: Sculpted Swan Pilates | Saturday, April 6 | 9-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy a mat pilates class from the experts at Sculpted Swan.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

$9.2 million. That’s how much Lakeland Electric will spend on power from the Orlando Utilities Commission from 2025 to 2026. Lakeland Electric has purchased extra electricity since 2021 to meet summer demand after shutting down the Unit 3 power plant. (The Ledger)

Opening

Cafe Zuppina will open its doors at 116 S. Tennessee Ave. today at 4 p.m. with full-service dining and a bar. The Mediterranean restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch + dinner — takeout orders and the Market will be available soon.

Outdoors

After a donation by the Holloway Park Foundation, the City of Lakeland will operate Holloway Park. The change comes with an upfront cost of $82,774 for maintenance equipment. Annual maintenance and portable restroom rentals will cost $12,000 and $20,000, respectively. (LkldNow)

Edu

PCPS is gearing up to celebrate graduates with Commitment Day events at 17 high schools this month. Lakeland schools are seeking donations of school supplies, gift cards, and dorm items to provide to seniors — see the wish lists.

Kids

Enter the World of Reading Festival this Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Barnett Park. This free event by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland will offer family-friendly entertainment, crafts, author meet + greets, and free books for children.

Learn

Southeastern University’s Department of Social Work will hold a free public advocacy event for Indigenous women featuring a guest speaker and expert panel. “Can You See Me?” will take place in the Welcome Center on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-8 p.m.

Arts

Fine art and dance will combine at the Polk Museum of Art’s next Gallery Perspectives event on Friday, April 12 at 12 p.m. Learn about the “Rockwell/Wyeth: Icons of Americana” exhibit with performances from students in Florida Southern College’s Dance Program.

Shop

Bring the LAL spirit into your life with the Lakeland-themed calendars by owner Maegan Carroll-Simmons from Carroll Design Co.

Correction

In yesterday’s newsletter, we mislabeled City Commissioner Bill Read as a county commissioner. Learn more about the Lakeland City Commission + how it works.

History

These skies were made for flying

Ruth Law (right) in model “B” Wright airplane, Daytona Beach | Photo via Florida Memory

Heading to SUN ‘n FUN? Attend the Women ACES Breakfast on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 a.m. The Women ACES program celebrates women in aviation — like these from Florida who made serious air waves.

Ruth Law
Law was the first female pilot to fly a plane in the Sunshine State, flying from Daytona Beach to Jacksonville’s Pablo Beach (now Jacksonville Beach). Just a few years later, she became the first female pilot to perform the “loop-the-loop.”

Jacqueline Cochran
This pilot from DeFuniak Springs was a record-breaking female force + became the first woman to fly quicker than the speed of sound in 1953. She also held the record for the most speed, distance, and altitude at the time.

Patrice Clark-Washington
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, this aviatrix was the first Black female graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and the first Black female Captain for UPS’ airline.

3 more aviatrixes to know

The Buy

A bicycle phone holder that fits on bikes, e-bikes, and exercise bikes. The phone holder mounts right onto handlebars, letting you use navigation apps and keep your phone secure during rides.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Our eyes are on the skies, but we’re also thinking about the streets. Yesterday, we asked you how often you drive through the Dixieland area on South Florida Avenue that’s been affected by the road diet. Nearly 200 readers answered. Here’s how the responses shook out:

53% — A few times per week
25% — Every day
19% — Rarely
3% — Never

ICYMI, read up on the latest updates on the Dixieland road diet.

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