Bethpage air show at Jones Beach

The Island Now

The 2014 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach will take place on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 and will host a bevy of military and civilian performers.

Military performers confirmed to date include the United States Navy Blue Angels, United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, United States Navy Leap Frogs (making their second appearance since 2007), and the MV-22 Osprey – performing at the Bethpage Air Show for the first time.  

Civilian performers include American Airpower Museum Warbirds, GEICO Skytypers, Miss GEICO Speedboat, Sean D. Tucker – Team Oracle, Lt. Col. John Klatt – National Guard Reserve, Matt Chapman – Embry Riddle, David Windmiller, Red Bull Air Force, and the John Klatt Airshows – Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team, also making their debut to the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.      

“The Long Island community is buzzing with excitement about this year’s show, and the return of an elite military jet team,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president, Corporate Strategy, Bethpage.  “Each year the Blue Angels perform, we see record numbers of fans convene on Jones Beach, and that makes for an exciting holiday weekend.  We are thrilled to continue to work closely with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to help bring what has become one of the most anticipated, largest public events in New York State, right here to Jones Beach each year, for all to enjoy.”  

The United States Navy Blue Angels will be making their sixth Bethpage Air Show appearance.

New to the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is the MV-22 Osprey, a multi-mission, military, tilt rotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. The United States Marine Corps and Air Force operate the Osprey.

John Klatt Airshows’ – Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team, unveiled recently at the International Council of Air Shows in Las Vegas, will also be making its Bethpage Air Show debut. The airplane, a Taperwing Waco made famous by barnstormers of the 1920s and 30s, adds the modern twist of a jet engine that will thrill spectators with amazing sights and sounds. John Klatt, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and Jeff Boerboon, a U.S. Unlimited Aerobatics Champion, will pilot the Screamin’ Sasquatch.

The show will be held Memorial Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park.  For 2014 NYS Empire Passport holders, there is no vehicle use fee charge.  

“We are happy to welcome back the United States Navy Blue Angels and all of the scheduled performers for what we anticipate to be one of our best air shows yet,” said Rose Harvey, commissioner, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  “It’s important each year to pay tribute to our nation’s past and present military, and the Memorial Day holiday weekend allows us to do just that, as well as enjoy the company of family and friends and celebrate our nation’s freedom.”

Share this Article