SUNn ‘n FUN Fly-In, (a.k.a “Spring Break for Pilots”) is staged on an 850-acre footprint of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport campus and features a variety of attractions  to engage aviation enthusiasts of all ages; from student pilots, active “veteran” pilots and . This year, the Fly-In & Expo will attract an estimated 170,000 visitors from North America and more than 80 other countries, making it the busiest airport in the world during this 6-day event!

Visitors will have the opportunity to see a variety of aviation exhibits from aircraft from all over the world, ranging from “homebuilds” to military aircraft, exhibitors and daily airshows! In addition to the aircraft, SUN ‘n FUN activities also include guest speakers, presentations and educational experinces. On Tuesday, April 13, the evening program series will feature “Women of the Air” and Wednesday’s evening program will be the first-hand account of the “Miracle on the Hudson” landing from US Airways First Officer Jeff Skiles. As an added bonus, you can have the opportunity to have lunch with Jeff Skiles at the Fantasy of Flight Splash-In. The barbeque luncheon requires a separate reservation of $20 plus tax per person so you better call now to make your reservations! Call 863-984-3500.

On Saturday, April 17,  is the early-morning “dawn patrol” launch of the festive Hot Air Balloon “Hare and Hound” Race. Weather permitting, more than 25 balloonists are scheduled to ignite their burners, lift off above the shimmering morning landscape of Lakeland and create an exciting, colorful start to the day’s activities.

While you are out enjoying SUN ‘n FUN, don’t forget the annual Splash-In Event and Mustangs and Mustangs event at the Fantasy of Flight! Fantasy of Flight is thrilled to be hosting the Splash-In on sparkling Lake Agnes on Thursday, April 15 as part of the 36th Annual Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In.  Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of the competition. The Mustangs and Mustangs event is an annual event where Fantasy of Flight and the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County team up for to feature both beautifully restored P-51 Mustang war birds from World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles.  Fantasy of Flight’s P-51D and P-51C Mustangs are a dramatic backdrop for hundreds of classic and modern Fords and Mustangs.

For more details on the full schedule of events and activities visit these pages: Fly-In event activities, SUN ‘n FUN and FAA Forums, SUN ʼn FUN workshops, Florida Air Museum speaker schedules and youth activities, SUN ʼn FUN daily air shows.

For years, Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, FL, has brought these inspirational stories to life in their Women Airforce Service Pilots (W.A.S.P.) exhibit.  In a period of history when our men were heading off to war, women stepped up to the plate to run our businesses, take care of our families and homes, and keep our country running.  In celebration of women’s history month, Fantasy of Flight is offering two unique opportunities to meet the women of W.A.S.P.

On, Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27, 2010, The Living Symposium Series offers “A Passionate Pursuit,”featuring the four of the original WASP’s,  Bernice “Bee” Falk Haydu, Florence Rubin Mascott, Barry Vincent Smith, and Helen Wyatt Snapp.  You will hear, first hand, the stories of these women, who left their homes and families at the height of World War II to serve their country as the first American women to fly for the U.S. Military. This is the stuff of legends, it will inspire you fill you with the spirit of adventure that so many of these women had in common.

If this isn’t enough for you, then you might want to sign up for the “Living Legends Luncheon” on Friday, March 26.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have one-on-one time with these amazing women.  This intimate lunch will be held from noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Orlampa Conference Center at Fantasy of Flight. Reservations are $65 plus tax per person; price includes attraction admission after 1:30 p.m. This is a limited availability event so call now to reserve your space at the luncheon.

Well, if you haven’t made plans already, might I suggest enrolling them in one or more arts camps this summer?

Almost every arts organization in Polk County is hosting a summer camp this year, and at reasonable prices too. I’m most familiar with Polk Museum of Art’s Summer Art Camp, which offers four two-week long session with classes in all the traditional media and a few non-traditional ones as well! But I was checking out this summer’s edition of Art-i-Facts, and saw that there are quite a few options out there for kids who are into the arts.

For example, if your child is into the visual arts and you live in or are visiting East Polk County (you know, the side closer to the famous mouse), the Lake Wales Art Center will be offering ArtsCamp! with small classes in painting collage, clay and more.

Florida Dance Theatre will be hosting several weeks worth of classes for students of all levels. Summer Youth Dance Camp is divided into two divisions, ages 4-6, and ages 6-10. For older or more advanced students, they offer the Summer Dance Intensive, two solid weeks of dance class, 5 hours per day! They’re also offering a small selection of evening classes for June and July. I’ll be there on Thursday nights for Beginning Modern!

Maybe your child has a flair for the dramatic (and really which child doesn’t? Especially when they MUST HAVE something). If that’s the case, Lakeland Community Theatre and Theatre Winter Haven are both offering performance oriented options. Lakeland Community Theatre will host Summer Camp for grades 1 -8, a workshop for grades 8 -12, and the Starfish Circus Camp for ages 6-18! Theatre Winter Haven’s Musical Camp Theatre for ages 8 -17 will feature School House Rock, Jr. and will end with two performaces.

You can’t mention “kids” and “summer camp” in the same sentence without mentioning Explorations V. This year’s X-treme Destinations Summer Camp for ages 5-12 is themed by the week and is sure to offer lots of excitement.

Florida Air Museum hosts aviation themed summer camps for ages 7-18, and one of them even allows the kids a chance to get behind the controls for an actual flight with a certified flight instructor! And Polk Community College will offer Kids at College classes on both the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses.

Whew! What a list! There’s no shortage of things to do around here. Pick up a copy of Art-i-Facts magazine at any of our local arts organizations, or just read the online version for more details, not only about the summer camps, but also about EVERYTHING art related that’s happening this summer.