Soar into Memorial Day weekend with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. This summer marksthe jet team’s 10th headlining performance at Jones Beach.
The Bethpage Air Showis celebrating its 20th anniversaryin Wantagh from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 25 and May 26. A $10 parking fee per car can be paid at the parking field. Parking is free for Empire Pass holders.
No other tickets are required to attend the show. Here’s what else you’ll need to know, and where to watch.
AIR SHOW DETAILS
This year’s military performers include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team, and the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team. Also seeaerobatic pilotsMike Goulian and David Windmiller,the Skytypers, Warbird Thunder Airshows, Farmingdale State College Flying Ramsand the American Airpower Museum Warbirds.
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Jones Beach State Park concessions will be serving traditional beach treats such as hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream.
WAYS TO WATCH
Fans who want to steer clear of the crowds at Jones Beach can also watch the highflying stunts and astonishing aerobatics by top flight military and civilian performers with some alternative planning.
BY BUS: NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express) will run N88 buses from the Freeport Long Island Rail Road station off Sunrise Highway to Jones Beach on show days from 8:28 a.m. to 8:55 p.m. The buses will leave hourly on May 24 (practice day) and every half-hour on May 25-26. Riders will be dropped off and picked up at the West Bath House just west of the park’s Central Mall main viewing area.Cost is $2.90 per person; must be exact change or Metro Card, nicebus.com.
BY BOAT: Watch the show with a co*cktail in hand on cruises out of the Nautical Mile in Freeport. At noon on May 25-26, Freeport Water Taxi & Tours’ 44-foot catamaran will leave with a capacity of 28 passengers for a viewing party, getting“as close as we can to the water tower because that’s the focal point of the jets,” says Captain Rick Cohen. Cost is $65, $45 ages 10 and younger. There will also be a cash bar and guests can bring their own food. (516-521-7744, make reservations online at freeportwatertaxi.com)
The Capt. Lou Fleet’s super cruisers, the 100-foot Atlantic Pearl and the 85-foot Capt. Lou VII, are hosting viewing parties from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 25-26. Spectators can bring a small cooler with food and one unopened bottle of water, but other beverages need to be purchased from the boat’s cash bar. Boarding at 11 a.m. for the Atlantic Pearl at 111 Woodcleft Ave. and for the Capt. Lou VII at 31 Woodcleft Ave., The Nautical Mile, Freeport. Tickets are $65. (516-623-5823, must reserve in advance on captloufleet.com)
BY DINING RESERVATION: Watch the aerial action while dining at Gatsby on the Ocean restaurant on the second floor of Jones Beach’s West Bath House, where patio tables offer ashow view. Cost: $10 parking fee at Field 6 and walk west; the restaurant offers a special show menu including steaks, pasta, burgers, appetizer specials and salads. (516-785-0012, for reservations gatsbyontheocean.com)
VIA AN OFF-SITE PARK: See the show from a different angle from the pier and long shoreline at Wantagh Park (1 King Rd., Wantagh, 516-571-7460) or at nearby Cedar Creek Park(3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford, 516-571-7470). Free for Nassau County resident with driver’s license or leisure pass, resident Leisure Pass fee is $36 with proof of Nassau County residency, $10 for nonresident.
Nassau County’s Nickerson Beach Park, located on Long Beach west of Jones Beach, also offers a view of the highflying derring-do. Parking costs $15 for Nassau County Leisure Pass holders or $37 without a Leisure Pass. Resident Leisure Pass fee is $36 with proof of Nassau County residency, nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-0200. (880 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, 516-571-7700)
You can also watch the aircraft fly overhead after they take off from Republic Airport, from a vantage point at Nassau County’s nearby Old Bethpage Village Restoration.$15, $12 seniors and ages 5 to 12 (1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage, 516-572-8400)
With Lynn Petry
By Jim Merritt
