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Thunderbird is the word
Look for Maj. Burress flying the No. 2 jet at left wing. | Photo by LALtoday
Strap in for one of the most exhilarating performances of SUN ‘n FUN, because the US Air Force Thunderbirds have arrived in Lakeland.
“SUN ‘n FUN is a really special event to our team,” Maj. Josh Burress told us. “Whenever the calendar comes out, it is definitely something that gets highlighted. It’s just something we look forward to.” See more of our chat.
Before landing, the team completed a site survey, during which they identified 40-50 landmarks around the campus to use for navigation. Lt. Col. Alexander Prevendar said they’ll be using a golf course, busy intersections, nearby warehouses, and even notable roofs. If you have a colorful house in south Lakeland, you could be a part of their show.
Catch the Thunderbirds during the Friday, April 17-Sunday, April 19 daytime airshows. They’ll fly between 1 and 5 p.m., and even if you don’t see their jets, you’re sure to hear them.
Mayfaire by-the-Lake returns to the shores of Lake Morton Saturday, May 9-Sunday, May 10. You don’t have to be a fine artist to join the team — the festival is seeking volunteers for roles like artist booth sitters, Mayferry shuttle drivers, and snack delivery.
Open
Bready, set, go. Mama’s Goods Farmstand held a grand opening last week on Cherry Lane in south Lakeland, and it’s now open on Friday + Saturday mornings. Stop by for self-serve sourdough, snickerdoodles, scones, and such while supplies last.
Learn
Feeling inspired by the pilots at SUN ‘n FUN? Take to the sky like we did with flight training by Dobbs Flight Service, and you could be flying in by next year’s expo.
Sports
They shoot, you score. Florida Polytechnic University’s archery team will host its first summer camp Monday, June 15-Friday, June 19. Kids ages 8-17 don’t need experience or their own gear to learn about fundamentals and equipment care.
Travel
In Lakeland, swimming means gators. But over at Discovery Cove in Orlando, you can swim alongside dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish, and meet friendly otters. Bonus: The all-inclusive resort is offering a Mother’s Day special, with 40% off visits booked by Sunday, April 26.
Drink
Keel Farms’ latest release is the blueberry-forward Scrub Jay Sangria, developed in partnership with Conservation Florida. For every bottle sold, $2 will go toward the organization’s wildlife conservation efforts. Try it in the tasting room and order a bottle online.
Answered
3,000+. That’s how many aircraft flew into SUN ‘n FUN last year — around one plane for every six cars parked on the busiest day of the expo. Nearly half of readers earned their wings by guessing this one right.
Home
Want to simplify your energy bill? Lakeland Electric’s Pay As You Go program allows you to prepay for electricity, starting at $25, plus track usage online, in-app, or via alerts. Sign up to ditch deposits, late fees, and reconnect fees.*
Festival
If you’re headed to the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo this week, be sure to stop by the SEU Aviation booth. See how the program can help future aviators make their dreams come true.*
Health
Prioritize your skin health at the Spot It: Skin Cancer Screening Event on May 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This community-focused event offers an opportunity to get checked and stay proactive about early detection — because when it comes to skin cancer, spotting it early can make all the difference. Learn more.*
Category
Editor’s Pick
Even after dozens of visits, I’m always discovering something new — like the fact that the boardwalk takes you all the way around the lagoon. | Photo by LALtoday
Congratulations are in order for Bonnet Springs Park, which was voted the No. 2 Best City Park in the nation in USA Today’s 10Best contest. BSP came in first last year, but second place is nothing to shake a stick at.
Celebrate the honor with a visit to the park this weekend. My favorite thing to do is stroll along the canopy walk, but if I were a kid, you can bet you’d find me climbing all over Mable the Owl.
Pop quiz. What can you wear while 1) driving 2) drinking your morning coffee, or 3) reading this newsletter to look more awake and help under eyes glow? Under eye patches. Be an under eye patch influencer and work these into your morning routine:
👁️ These award-winning under eye patches employ collagen, snail mucin, and hyaluronic acid to get the job done — you should notice an immediate difference in puffiness.
👁️ Go for green tea under eye patches to get the energizing benefits of caffeine directly on your skin — you’ll get 30 in a pack.
👁️ One of the most popular brands is grace & stella. Try a variety pack to learn which key ingredient — whether retinol, caffeine, or firming peptides — makes the biggest difference to your skin.
Yesterday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke to a huge crowd of SUN ‘n FUN fans about upcoming Artemis missions, but some were even more starstruck moonstruck by a special guest: the kid who went viral this month for his excitement that “We’re going back to the freaking moon.”
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