Lakeland in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Sun 'n Fun Fly-in
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 6, 2025
1. Sun 'n Fun Fly-in Marker, Side One
Side 1
The SUN 'n FUN Fly-In was founded in 1974 by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Lakeland Chapter 454. the Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association. and the Southeast Sport Aviation Council.
On January 24-26. 1975. the group hosted a regional airplane fly-in convention that they called the Mid-Winter SUN 'n FUN. The weekend event saw participation by 498 registered aircraft. representing 63 EAA chapters across 40 states and 3 Canadian provinces.
On December 8. 1975. the founders incorporated as the Southeast EAA Regional Fly-In Inc.. although they remained known as the SUN 'n FUN Fly-In. In 1976. SUN 'n FUN and the City of Lakeland reached an agreement to develop the southwest side of the Lakeland municipal airport for future fly-ins. The first fly-in held at the new site ran from January 17-23. 1977. and was open to the public.
The legacy of SUN 'n FUN is carried on by the Aerospace Center for Excellence and the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo.
Side 2
The officers named on the original Articles of Incorporation were:
Martin Jones (President)
Ray Anderson (Vice President)
James Dantzman (Secretary)
W.D.
this page online
Billy M. Henderson (Fly-in Director)
The Original Board of Directors were:
Bill Ehlen, Ed Escallon, Bob White, M.T. Clark, Grahame Gates,
Bob Hardy, Leonard McGinty, Freddie Quinn, Rocky Sawyer, Steve Woods
A Polk County Heritage Site
Erected 2024 by Aerospace Center for Excellence, Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, The Polk County Historical Commission. (Marker Number PCHC-034.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is January 24, 1975.
Location. 27° 58.942′ N, 82° 1.674′ W. Marker is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. It can be reached from Medulla Road 0.1 miles east of John C. Ray Drive. Located in front of the Florida Air Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4075 Medulla Rd, Lakeland FL 33811, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Convair F2Y F SeaDart (a few steps from this marker); XF2Y Sea Dart (a few steps from this marker); Boeing 307 Stratoliner 1939 (within shouting distance of this marker); Grumman F-14-D Tomcat (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); XFV-1 The Salmon (about 400 feet away); MiG-21 MF 1970 (about
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 6, 2025
2. Sun 'n Fun Fly-in Marker, Side Two
Also see . . . Sun 'n Fun Fly-in. (Submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 6, 2025
3. Sun 'n Fun Fly-in Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
