Bethpage, NY - April 22, 2016 - Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are very pleased to announce the star-studded final lineup for the 2016 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach taking place Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 28, 2016 and Sunday, May 29, 2016, from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
2014 Bethpage Air Show Memorial Day Weekend. Photo by Tom Lomino.
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 pm. 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 last 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 its F-35 Heritage Flight performance. 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 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, New York 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, 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, NY, on Saturday, May 28, 2016 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Sunday, May 29, 2016 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. 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 NYS 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 Facebook, 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 Mall Boardwalk area where food, beverages and ground activities will be available for fans.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a premier community financial institution serving and enriching the lives of its members, employees and the communities it serves, for 75 years. A federally chartered, not-for-profit financial institution, Bethpage is open to individuals and businesses in the U.S. that open a $5 membership account. Bethpage is the largest credit union in New York State and the 16tth largest in the nation.
Bethpage has 280,000 members, 650 employees, 34 full service branches and more than 60 shared branches throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as its newest branch location in New York City. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best in market rates, low fees and world-class service, and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services. For more information on Bethpage’s robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, and for branch locations, visit here or call 1-800-628-7070.