In another sign of normalcy returning to Long Island as the coronavirus pandemic restrictions ease, the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is scheduled to soar once more this Memorial Day weekend.
While there has been plenty of pent-up excitement since the air show was canceled in 2020, this year’s version of the annual event, which typically draws hundreds of thousands of spectators, will look different than it has in the past. Most notably, now it’s a ticketed event requiring prepurchased parking passes.
“The return of the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the latest examples of our work to reopen by putting common-sense measures in place to keep New Yorkers safe,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
What follows is a guide to what to expect at the Jones Beach air show this year.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The air show’s practice date is Friday, May 28. The show will run from May 29 to 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, weather permitting.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Tickets went on sale last month and due to high demand, the website crashed on the first day of sales, but the site shortly resumed ticket sales, which sold out on May 18.
HEROES HONORED
There will be an additional 1,800 passes distributed to Long Island’s healthcare networks in order to honor front-line healthcare workers involved in the pandemic response.
“We are especially pleased that this year we will be able to recognize the selfless and courageous healthcare heroes who have sacrificed so much over the past year in order to keep their fellow New Yorkers safe,” Cuomo said.
LIMITED CAPACITY
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Jones Beach will be limited to 50 percent capacity, and only Special Event Parking Pass holders will be admitted to the parking fields. All other attendees must remain on the beachfront and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
ALTERNATE VIEWING
Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State Parks, and WABC are working together in order to broadcast a livestream of the air show at WABC-TV, as well as on WABC’s connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
WHO TO SEE
The air show will feature the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, Golden Knights U.S. Army parachute team, and United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue team, as well as several civilian performers.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
