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Today’s Forecast

79º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 7:51 p.m.

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

 
🛩️ Just plane fun
An LALtoday city editor steps into a passenger plane wearing an LAL hat.
It’s boarding time at SUN ‘n FUN — save these recs for your next visit. | Photo by LALtoday
The LALtoday team took on SUN ‘n FUN for the first time this week, and we came away with pro tips + must-do’s galore. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a seasoned pro, take our advice if you head to the expo this weekend.

First off, this event is huge. We knew there would be thousands of people and planes, but it’s hard to imagine just how large the grounds are. Drop a pin on your GPS app to save your parking location and make sure to wear comfortable shoes. There are also trams available.

A crowd watches an airshow from a grassy seating area as a plane flies over the runway and another taxis.

There’s plenty of space to sit near the flightline on the north side of the campus.

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Photo by LALtoday

If the name didn’t give it away, be aware that most of the event is outdoors. With sun in this weekend’s forecast, be prepared — sunscreen is a must (ask us how we know) and we’d advise bringing a small umbrella for shade as well.

The daily airshows are a big draw. Performers fly from 1 to 5 p.m. each day, and there’s a night show on Saturday, April 12, 7-9 p.m. Reserved seating is available, but the free seating areas offered great views too. Bring a blanket or chair and sit wherever you’d like — we set up under the tail of a plane in Warbird Country to get some shade while watching the shows.

Several adults ride on a trailer pulled by a tractor around the SUN 'n FUN campus.

Hop on the flightline tour for $5 — proceeds benefit Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 797.

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Photo by LALtoday

Airshows aren’t the only activity to enjoy. We checked out the Florida Air Museum, went inside aircraft, flew a simulator at the Future ‘n Flight Plaza, and hopped on a flightline tour near the entrance to Warbird Country for a ride around the grounds.

Hungry? There are plenty of food vendors on site, including local eateries like Frescos + Fat Maggie’s. Don’t forget to bring water to stay hydrated.

If you’re flying in this weekend, save our guide to what you need to know about this event.
 
Asked
 
What’s your favorite thing to do at SUN ‘n FUN?
A. Watch the airshows
B. Check out the exhibits
C. Try the hands-on activities
D. I haven’t been before.
E. Something else
 
 
Events
 
Friday, April 12
  • Dixieland Night Market | Friday, April 12 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Browse art, fashion, food, and jewelry from local makers at this monthly market.
  • Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders | Friday, April 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $8-$11 | Keep an eye out for fly balls during Aviation Night.
  • XFC 50 | Friday, April 12 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $25-$100 | Mixed martial arts return to Lakeland in this exciting multi-match event.
Saturday, April 13
  • Spring into Fun Market | Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Family Reptiles, 4505 Old Rd. 37, Lakeland | Free entry | This market will offer vendors, games, crafts, food trucks, and even dinosaur rides.
  • Caribbean Carnival! | Saturday, April 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Party with live music, local Caribbean food vendors, and a Junkanoo Parade.
  • “Triangle” | Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Harrison School for the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $9-$12 | Harrison theatre students will perform this dramatic play about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911.
Sunday, April 14
  • FSC Cat Club Yard Sale | Sunday, April 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Branscomb Memorial Auditorium, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop to support this club that cares for FSC’s campus cats.
  • Lake Wales Architectural Tour | Sunday, April 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Wales History Museum, 325 S. Scenic Hwy., Lake Wales | $10 | Dress comfortably for this outdoor walking tour of century-old downtown buildings.
  • Lakeland KidFest and Camp Fair | Sunday, April 14 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free | Get to know Lakeland’s resources + summer camps for kids at this family-friendly event — parking is $10.
  • Lakeside Village Second Sunday Market | Sunday, April 14 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy live music while you shop from 80+ local vendors selling artisan crafts and delicious treats.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Eat
  • Get a sneak peek of Bowen Yard, Winter Haven’s forthcoming food hall, with an eight-course preview dinner. Tickets are available for two seatings on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 with food by Maritime, Soce Market, and Ripples Hand Crafted Ice Cream.
Number
  • 60. That’s how many air traffic controllers it takes to keep planes coming + going safely during SUN ‘n FUN. Lakeland Linder brought in controllers from around the country to watch the skies this week. (WFLA)
Arts
  • Nominations are open for the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame and the 2024 Polk Arts & Culture Awards. Categories include the Rising Star Award, Volunteer of the Year, and more. Nominate an individual or organization by Wednesday, May 15.
Plan Ahead
  • The Florida Dental Association will host its Florida Mission of Mercy event in Lakeland this year. Professional dentists will offer free dental care for patients on a first-come, first-served basis at the RP Funding Center Thursday, May 30-Saturday, June 1. No registration is required.
Outdoors
  • Discover Se7en Wetlands’ birds on a guided hike tomorrow from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Register to join the three-mile trek, and bring your binoculars for a closer look at wading birds during peak nesting season.
Older Adults
  • The Rath Senior ConNEXTions Center invites older adults, caregivers, and service providers to a Healthy Aging Summit on Tuesday, April 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The free summit at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland will feature guest speakers + breakout sessions.
Shop
  • The Ole Bartow Farmers Market is set to open this summer on Saturday, June 1 at Fort Blount Park (343 W. Davidson St.), near the courthouse. Bring your tote bags to shop plants and food, enjoy live music, and take snaps in the photo area.
Try This
  • Paint + sip the night away at a workshop hosted by Austin’s Backyard Garden and Art by Karis on Saturday, April 27, 6:30-9 p.m. Salted Haven will bring the mocktails, charcuterie, and desserts — tickets go on sale tomorrow.
Pets
  • SPCA Florida is offering $100 off dog adoption fees through Sunday, April 21. All dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Meet the pups daily at the Adoption Center (5850 Brannen Rd. S.).
Health
  • Your body is made to move — but you shouldn’t have to move too far to find orthopedic care. The Orthopedic team at Lakeland Regional Health offers a wide range of specialties so you can get the care you need, close to home. Learn more + get back to the activities you love.*
 
 
Read
 
Check this, then check out
Readers of all ages can get a library card — just have an adult present for those 15 and younger. | Photo by @wendydl
It’s National Library Week, and Lakeland has three public library locations you can take advantage of all year long.

Any Polk County resident can get a free library card. Just stop into one of these locations with your photo ID + proof of residency:
  • Lakeland Public Library Main Location, 100 Lake Morton Dr.
  • Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave.
  • Kelly Branch Library, 404 Imperial Blvd.
Once you have your card, you can enjoy the library’s many offerings, including books, ebooks, classes, the Lakeland History & Culture Center, activities, and much more — all free of charge.

We’re big library fans at LALtoday. Connor’s favorite perk is the Libby app, where she can check out ebooks to read on her Kindle (she’s currently reading “Killers of the Flower Moon”). Amelia loves that the library gets new releases almost as soon as they come out so she can sustainably support her favorite authors, while also engaging with city resources.
 
The Buy
 
A ClassPass membership, which lets you use multiple local gyms, fitness studios, and spas with just one membership. We like: Getting 14 days free when you sign up — meaning you can finally see if that gym you’ve been eyeing is worth it.
 
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The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Last night I attended the preview of “Tick, Tick... Boom!” at Lakeland Community Theatre, and now I can’t get its songs out of my head. It’s a great weekend to be a theater lover — catch performances at LCT, Florida Southern, and Harrison this weekend.
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