Thrilling loops, dizzying spin moves, and other heart-stopping aerobatic maneuvers will once again be on display at the Jones Beach Air Show next spring, with the Blue Angels highlighting the jaw-dropping event that draws thousands to Jones Beach each year to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced on Tuesday that the United States Navy Blue Angels military jet team will headline the two-day event during the 9th Annual Jones Beach Air Show, which takes place on May 26 and May 27, to mark the unofficial start to the summer season.
Joining in on the Air Show fun will be the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the United States Navy F18 Super Hornet and the 106th New York Air National Guard Rescue Demo Wing HC-130/HH-60, along with a number of other civilian performers.
“Since sponsoring Long Island’s first major air show nine years ago, the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach has grown to become one of the largest, most anticipated public events in New York State where each year, hundreds of thousands of fans travel to Jones Beach to witness air performances like non other,” Linda Armyn, senior vice president, corporate strategy, Bethpage Federal Credit Union said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the United States Navy Blue Angels to our elite lineup and are excited to share confirmed military and civilian performers to date.”
The air show brings out hundreds of thousands of spectators who either lay out on the beach, cool down in the water, or mingle around the boardwalk to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. More than 400,000 people attended the event this year.
Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days and admission is free, but there is still a $10 parking fee for the park.
“Memorial Day Weekend is an important time to honor women and men of our country’s military both past and present, and with all of the scheduled performers, it looks like this year’s show will be spectacular,” said Rose Harvey, commissioner of New York State Office of Parks.