Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the final lineup for the 2016 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach taking place Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
For the first time, three jet teams will perform at the Bethpage Air Show including show headliners, the legendary United States Navy Blue Angels, returning to the Bethpage Air Show for their seventh performance during their 70th anniversary season.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will give the final performance of the show at approximately 2 p.m. The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds will be making their 3rd performance at the Bethpage Air Show where they will perform over 50 different formations and maneuvers for fans.
The third of the three jet teams to perform is the Breitling Jet Team, the world’s elite professional civilian jet aerobatics team, returning to Long Island for their second consecutive performance following a successful performance last year. The new United States Air Force F-35 Lightning II, the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft, will also perform at the Bethpage Air Show for the first time in its inaugural year.
The F-35 Heritage Flight performance will feature the F-35 flying alongside WWII, Korean and Vietnam-era aircraft in a dynamic display of our nation’s air power history.
With a top speed of 1,200 mph, the F-35 is capable of setting off sonic booms as it did this past January for all of the East Coast to experience!
Other star-studded performers at this year’s Bethpage Air Show include the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, performing in their 12th Bethpage Air Show; legendary air show pilot Sean Tucker performing in his custom-built Oracle Challenger II biplane; extraordinary aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman; the John Klatt Airshows – Jack Links’ Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team; the world famous GEICO Skytypers and their flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft; the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; Long Island’s own David Windmiller; the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team; our hometown, 106th Air Rescue Wing will show their support by performing a HC-130 and HH-60 flyby demonstration; and new for 2016, the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams who will fly seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers.
“This year’s 2016 Bethpage Air Show is one of, if not the best, schedule of performers we have ever seen in the history of the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park,” said George Gorman, deputy regional director of state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. “We are very happy to be able to bring this level of talent to Long Island, which is already buzzing with excitement about this year’s show.”
Last year’s 12th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach brought over 325,000 fans to Jones Beach when the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed during the Memorial Day Weekend event to help share the story of our nation’s military.
“Each Memorial Day Weekend, we are honored to welcome and pay tribute to the men and women who so bravely serve our country,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president of corporate affairs of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “We are pleased that the United States Navy Blue Angels have committed to perform for their seventh time for our show. We are confident that this year’s show will be nothing short of spectacular.”
The Bethpage Air Show will be held Memorial Day weekend at Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh on Saturday, May 28 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 29 10 a.m. – 3: p.m.. The Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park. For 2016 state Empire Passport holders, there is no vehicle use fee charge.
For $65, the Empire Passport permits unlimited vehicle access to most facilities operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Empire Passports are available for purchase at any Long Island State Park and can be utilized immediately and are effective until March 31, 2017 to enjoy the forests, the seashores and the lakefronts of New York State’s parks through all of New York’s beautiful seasons.
For up-to-date information about this year’s show, please visit www.bethpageairshow.com or https://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at 631/321-3510.
The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Newsday, WABC-TV Channel 7, Connoisseur Media Long Island and Natural Heritage Trust. The show can be heard in its entirety on WHLI 1100 and 1370 AM. Bethpage Air Show announcers will lead air show activities from the Jones Beach State Park Central MallBoardwalk area where food, beverages and ground activities will be available for fans.
