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50th annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo showcases planes with stories to tell

Pilots and volunteers detail the incredible histories of the various vintage planes, allowing aviation's past to inspire future aviators.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Right now, the state's largest annual expo is celebrating 50 years.

The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at the Lakeland Linder International Airport kicked off on Tuesday and is expected to welcome more than 200,000 visitors. 

Those visitors can expect to see more than a thousand planes and more than 500 vendors and exhibits. 

Many of the planes on display have incredible stories to tell. 

Pilot JP Mellor flies one of the vintage planes, an SNB with the Commemorative Air Force, and educates visitors on its history.

 "This airplane was built in 1942 and used to train navigators during World War II," Mellor said. "This type of airplane was used for lots of purposes, including to train pilots, copilots and bombardiers." 

Gary Houghton volunteers on another WWII plane named "Placid Lassie."

"Placid Lassie served during World War II. She towed gliders across the channel on D-day," Houghton said. "And then it came back and towed a third one over, and then it continued dropping supplies and ammunition to the troops and dropping paratroopers throughout the war."

The expo, which covers 2,000 acres, works to educate and inspire its visitors with its array of planes and exhibits. 

Houghton said of Placid Lassie, "It's a living part of our history. Every time I'm on the plane, it's an honor for me." 

Orathai Northern, enrichment director of the expo, said, "These planes have seen war, they've seen so much. So there's a triumphant narrative, I think right here. And I think that is, that is very inspiring for, for all of our guests." 

Northern said there's entertainment at the expo for everyone from the history buffs to the innovation enthusiasts. 

"There's a lot of new features to make sure that everybody is engaged," Northern said. "It's a robust experience for everybody." 

It's a thrilling experience too, especially for one 9-year-old aspiring pilot Greyson Hobbs. 

"Whenever I see those planes, I think, 'Wow!' I really want to do that!" Hobbs said. "I will probably join the Air Force because I'm inspired by these planes and how hard they work, and I'm also really inspired by my uncle who is in the Army." 

The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo runs through April 14. Day passes are $45 for adults, $20 for teens 11 through 17, and free for kids 10 and under. 

Airshows during the day and nighttime have historically been the most popular for visitors. Daily airshows are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There are two separate night airshows on Wednesday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m. 

Special airshow acts include: 

  • U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
  • U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet Demo Team
  • U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team
  • TORA TORA TORA
  • Commemorative Air Force Warbirds
  • Commemorative Air Force Rise Above: Red Tail Squadron and Ghost Squadron Debut

To help kick off day one, there's a special opening night concert on Tuesday by country music stars, Dylan Scott and Sara Evans.

On the ground, you'll be able to get up close to more than 500 acres of aircraft including military planes, vintage planes, seaplanes, lightplanes and rotorcraft. There are also plenty of hands-on activities for the kids. 

The organization's president and CEO, Gene Conrad, said that over 2,000 volunteers worked together to set up and organize the expo this year.

All proceeds from the expo fund the organization's programs and resources, particularly through the Aerospace Center for Excellence. ACE focuses on STEM-related aerospace education through summer camps, scholarships and outreach.

Click here for more information and tickets.

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