Coconut Flyers

11/18/2025

As a gentle reminder as to the size of Coconut Flyers set up in 2007 and where we ended up.

11/17/2025

To our cherished Coconut Flyer fans and followers,
It is with heavy hearts that we share this news. For 15 years, we’ve been a cornerstone of the Sun N Fun experience, nestled in the Vintage area, offering a humble refuge of tents to shield you from the sun, a place to gather, sip bottled water, share occasional meals, and connect after the Air Show. We poured our hearts into promoting Florida’s finest Craft Beers, filling the air with live music, and creating memories—all for the simple kindness of your donations. Those contributions, after expenses, fueled over $250,000 in support for the Sun N Fun Aerospace Center for Excellence, a cause we hold dear.
Our Coconut Flyer crew, a tapestry of souls from all walks of life, gave their time—often their precious vacations—to craft this little oasis for you, our Sun N Fun guests. What began in 2011 as a modest pony keg from Dunedin Brewery, chilled in a trash can of ice under a single 10x10 tent, blossomed beyond our wildest dreams. By 2025, we shared 60 kegs of Florida Craft Beer, generously donated by local breweries and distributors, thanks to the vision of John "Lites" Leenhouts and the steadfast support of Gene Conrad and the Sun N Fun team.
Yet, as our operation grew alongside our friends at Flying Boat Tap Room these past four years, we’ve been weighed down by an undeniable truth. The numbers—consumption versus donations—have revealed what analysts would call “an unsustainable business model.” After much soul-searching and with profound sadness, our volunteers have made the difficult choice to step back from Sun N Fun 2026 as we’ve known it. Instead, we return to our roots, bringing our airplanes, camping under the stars, lingering with friends, and wandering the show to soak in its wonders.
To all our Sun N Fun family, whose faces and laughter have filled our hearts over these 15 years, we Thank you and we hope to see you at Sun N Fun 2026. Look for us under our planes, resting, reflecting, and cherishing the show we’ve loved together.
With a heavy heart, Coconut Flyers

04/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1413747769791499

04/06/2025

Last night as I unloaded Truck from Sun n Fun this was what I saw in the sky. The three stars ?

04/06/2025

And that is a wrap.

04/06/2025

Wrapping up the 2025 Sun n Fun Images In the next few post. It has been my pleasure walking the the grounds of Sun n Fun for the 51st year, taking pictures of what reaches out to me in a vision. Thanks for allowing me to share that vision each one of you.

It has been a wonderful experience over the years pior to the Coconut Flyers days when the event started and ended on different days than they do now.

Meeting Tim Kirby while on a ladder photographing a Corsair out on the Heavy Ramp that started a lifetime of memories that made me into the Sign guy.

Things change as we all know and growth is coming for Sun n Fun in the future, We have seen growth in past recent years. It has been also a huge pleasure coming up with the picture frame that folks have taken pictures with and the signs for each year moving forward we will have to see where the Growth takes all of us in Future Years.

All the Best, Safe Travels and Get some Rest ,I know all of us at Coconut Flyers sure are looking forward to it.

Sincerely
Grady

04/04/2025

Friday Happenings

04/04/2025

Thursday Walk about Part Deux.

04/04/2025

Walkabout on Thursday Morning. Part one.

04/04/2025

Friday Am activities Harrier's are here from the VMA-231 Ace of Spades from MCAS Cherry Point N.C.

04/04/2025