‘Lites', Camera, Action

By Kathy Beazley

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, powered by E3 Aviation Association, soars back into Lakeland, Florida March 28 - April 2. As one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world, SUN ‘n FUN is the first major air show and expo of the year, bringing in more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts to enjoy what has become known as Aviation’s Season Opener and Spring Break for Pilots. Each year during the Expo, SUN ‘n FUN hosts a fundraiser called, THE BASH, with funds going towards a designated project. This year, THE BASH, a party with a purpose, will be held on Thursday, March 30 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are available at flysnf.org.

In 2022, THE BASH raised more than $250,000, which funded the all-new John ‘Lites’ Leenhouts Media Lab, named after the Expo’s recently retired CEO. Leenhouts was at the helm of SUN ‘n FUN for more than a decade and has worked in the industry for 48 years. The John ‘Lites’ Leenhouts Media Lab is a state- of-the-art media lab that aviation enthusiasts will enjoy experiencing. The lab is a full production studio with on-site editing stations. The Expo’s stellar volunteer, Dave Kalahar, led in the design and installation of the John ‘Lites’ Leenhouts Media Lab, which will be unveiled to the public during the upcoming Expo.

This year’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo fundraising goal is to raise $300,000 to develop an aviationthemed playground, which will be attached to the Florida Air Museum. This will inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and feature a unique learn-through-play approach to STEM. The area will also include shade for year-round enjoyment for all ages. The new playground will debut during the 50th anniversary of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in 2024.

From its humble beginnings in 1974, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that markets and supports dozens of year-round events. Proceeds from these events are the primary source of funding for The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education through its various learning centers, outreach programs, scholarships, and summer camps aimed at engaging, educating and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals. In addition to SUN ‘n FUN, ACE is the home of the Florida Air Museum, Florida’s Official Aviation Museum and Education Center, and the Lakeland Aero Club, which is the country’s largest high school flying club.

To learn more about the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo and to purchase tickets to THE BASH fundraiser, visit at flysnf.org. Join the conversation on Facebook (@FlySNF) and follow SUN ‘n FUN on Instagram (@FlySNF), Twitter (@SunnFunFlyIn) and on TikTok (@flysnf).