Bethpage Air Show announces final lineup

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The final performer lineup has been announced for the 20th Anniversary Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event includes the return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, marking its 10^th headliner performance.  The Blue Angels headlined Bethpage’s first air show back in 2004.

“The Bethpage Air Show symbolizes the credit union’s roots and is a testament to Long Island’s history in aviation,” Linda Armyn, president and CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union, said in a news release about the air show.

“It is a true collaboration and we are honored to continue to support and help produce this extraordinary show,” Armyn said.

In 2004, New York State Parks invited Bethpage to be the title sponsor of the show, recognizing that the credit union was founded by Grumman Aerospace employees.

The Blue Angels have deep ties to Long Island, flying Grumman Hellcats, which were built on Long Island for the inaugural flight of the team when it was founded in 1946. The Blue Angels then went on to fly other Grumman aircraft including the Bearcat, Cougar and Tiger, one of which, now hangs at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

This year’s military performers include the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team and the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team.

Civilian performers include decorated aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian, the Skytypers, Warbird Thunder Airshows, Farmingdale State College Flying Rams, Long Island’s David Windmiller and the American Airpower Museum Warbirds.

George Gorman – regional director of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation – said that “2024 is a very special year for us.

“Not only are we celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bethpage Air Show, but we are also celebrating the 95th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park and the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks and the Long Island State Park Commission,” he said.

For spectators, he said, the air show will be “a real treat.”

In celebration of the show’s 20^th anniversary, organizers are giving fans 30,000 commemorative U.S. Navy Blue Angels signed posters, beginning at the practice show on Friday, May 24, as well as during the weekend show.

Also at the Friday practice show, organizers are serving up a 15-by-20-foot anniversary cake weighing 1,000 pounds, following an 11 a.m. press conference at Jones Beach. Additional celebratory elements are planned for the weekend though details were not immediately available.

Information about the show is available on the Bethpage Air Show Mobile App by texting ‘Airshow’ to 516-842-4400, and following prompts to download. The app includes performer and sponsor information, a site map, answers to frequently asked questions about the show and other details. The app is available now on the App Store and Google Play.