The 2026 edition of Sun N Fun literally flew by in what seemed like a day, maybe two. Dubbed “Red, White, Blue at 52”, the 52nd Sun N Fun Fly In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida once again produced a stellar event that is outdoing itself every year. While at the time of typing this article, the event hasn’t released its metrics on how the event went but I know it broke records (I will come back and fill in the details once the 2026 report is out!). Record number of exhibitors and I believe a record number of attendees is what Gene Conrad was eluding to leading up and through the event. It was another hot year with temps in the 90s most days but that didn’t compare to the heat the event brought this year. Here I’ll give a general overview and photos below of how this event is always one that you should have on your radar!

This year, the statics were really the star this year in my opinion. The main star was NASA bringing the Super Guppy for the week. Some of the mainstay statics were unfortunately absent due to operational requirements but they were replaced with some rare pieces. Two different P-3 airframes were on the ground this year was one of my personal favorites to catch. One was the WP-3D Orion from NOAA. Miss Piggy was on display and is one of two airframes they use for hurricane research to make more predictable weather forecasts and tracks for hurricanes. The other was an NP-3C Orion used by VXS-1 “Warlocks”. That squadron is responsible for scientific experiments and technology development for fleetwide operations around the world. Seeing the NP-3C was the final variant of the Orion to catch and I could not of waited any longer as they were retiring one of the two the squadron has in mid-May 2026. Other statics included A-10 Thunderbolt II’s from both KC and Moody. The KC birds were a welcomed surprise as it was announced the Moody boys were gonna be there. The AV-8B Harrier II’s from VMA-223 “Bulldogs” made their final airshow appearance outside MCAS Cherry Point with a four ship arrival. Other military assets included T-38s and T-6s from Vance AFB. Warbirds were a plenty this year. Cavanaugh Flight Museum brought out their TBM, Wildcat and Corsair for a second year. Rod Lewis brought the ever-popular Constellation out for its second appearance at Sun N Fun along with a beautiful Grumman Mallard. The Freedom 250 Team with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at the helm brought 3 F-5 Freedom Fighters for both static display and an aerial display. The real star of the show was the F-104S Starfighter making its first ever appearance for a few hours on Friday. Seeing that being received by the community with such open arms is loving for the Starfighter crew that hasn’t been to a US based show since the Starfighter Team was touring the states.

For the flying display, it had a little bit of everything: civilian, private warbirds and of course the military jets most come to see. The USAF sent both the F-22 Raptor team and the Thunderbirds to support the show. NORAD had two F-16D Falcons from the 148th FW based in Duluth, Minnesota. The Altus team provided a combined KC-135/KC-46/C17 demo on the weekend but were based out of MacDill AFB. On the warbirds side, Jack Aces were once again a highlight with their three P-51 Mustangs. As mentioned before, Cavanaugh had their trio of naval birds fly on several days during the warbirds section. Numerous T-6s, T-28s, and T-34s from different groups opened Tuesday with their arrival show then also flew at different points during the week. The Constellation got a couple chances to fly later in the week as well as the Mallard which was a sweet surprise as I have yet to catch them participate in an airshow and only as static displays. Other warbirds included Scott Yoak and Jim Tobul (Class of 45), Trojan Thunder with their 6 T-28s, and the Titan Aerobatic Team. The main attraction for me was finding out the F-104 was making a brief appearance on Friday with a few approaches on arrival and then given a small time slot during the airshow for its departure and a couple more passes before heading back to Cape Canaveral. The civilian performers included the likes of Red Line with Ken and Austin Rieder, Jim Peitz, Greg Koontz, Michael Goulian, Melissa Burns, Skip Stewart, Kyle Fowler, Red Bull with Luke Aikins and Aaron Fitzgerald, Kyle Franklin, Bob Carlton, Doug Rozendaal, Nathan Hammond and RJ Gritter. Everyone of these performers listed lit up the day and night skies for six straight days!

Around the grounds, the spirit of Sun N Fun was very much alive. You had the static ramp of course but once you venture outside that, you were met with incredible aircraft and equally as important incredible people. Across the grounds, you’d run into something cool and interesting. Like when I came across the massive Antonov AN-2 parked next to some Boeing Stearman in the front section of the vintage area. Two marvels of engineering from days past from two distinctly different parts of the world now sharing space side by side. Venture further into vintage and you find all sorts of stuff bringing you back to a day where air travel was more of a luxury. Just south of vintage turns into a whole new experience at Paradise City. This is home to a 1400 ft grass runway where all of the ultra-light, light sport and other light experiential aircraft stay. I will say, the mood around Paradise City is exactly like the one you’ll find at the ultra-light section at AirVenture. Making your way back north and you come across the Island. The Island is a great hangout spot with live music, food and drinks, and an atmosphere only Sun N Fun can provide. Two other places worth visiting were the museum (as always) and the ever expanding exhibit area. Little side note, it took me the better part on one day to go through all the vendors and exhibitors this year. There is something for everyone!

Sun N Fun 2026 was one for the record books. I feel like a broken record every year I attend saying they can’t outdo themselves from the previous year and I’m proven wrong each year. Amazing statics, wonderful performers, and an atmosphere around the grounds that is like no other. There is a reason I’ve been attending on and off for the past 15 years. Gene Conrad and company have a tall order to fill for 2027 to compete with this year but I feel like they can do it. I can’t wait for my next adventure to the greater Lakeland area and to the 53rd edition of the Sun N Fun Fly In and Expo!