The 2008 New York Air Show at Jones Beach

The Bethpage Federal Credit Union New York Air Show is back for Memorial Day Weekend at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh.

The 2008 New York Air Show At Jones Beach will headline with the US Navy’s Blue Angels team. The show will also feature; the new F-22A Raptor Jets, US Army Golden Knights, NY Air National Guard- HC-130/HH-60 Rescue Demo, GEICO Skytypers and a number of Civilian flown aircrafts. Various events and demos will take place on land throughout the park.

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Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 2008.

Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Blue Angels fly around 1:30 PM.

Location: Jones Beach State Park, 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, 11793, NY. South Shore of Nassau County on Long Island.

Cost: $8 per vehicle. Park admission is free.

Past Attendance: 2004: 286,000; 2005: 341,000; 2006: 403,000; 2007: 401,000

Tips for the Air Show:

Arrive Early. Whatever time you were planning on going, subtract 30-60 minutes. Although the park has one of the largest parking fields in New York, they do fill up.

Check last minute weather. This spring has been unseasonably cool, bring some warm clothes.

Bring disposable earplugs, mainly for young children.

Bring Sunscreen. Don’t get sun burn the first weekend of Summer.

Bring your own food and drinks. Lines are long and concessions aren’t cheap.

Don’t bring alcohol. Alcohol is banned at this State Park. Although, indoor beach concessions sell beer & wine.

Don’t bring your pet. Year-round, Pets are not allowed at the park.

Don’t over-pack. All bags will be checked by security before entering the “beach”, keep bags to a minimum.

Walk, Run, Bike or Rollerblade. Why pay for parking, search for a spot, then while leaving, get stuck in traffic. Take the Jones Beach Bikeway (Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway); the route, a flat 4.4 miles, follows the Wantagh State Parkway from Cedar Creek Park to Jones Beach.

Take the Bus/ Train. Don’t have a car, Don’t want to drive? Take the MTA Long Island Bus and/or MTA Long Island Rail Road. Take the train to either Freeport or Wantagh LIRR Stations, when you arrive at the station jump on the bus to the beach. For bus schedule information call 516-228-4000. For train schedule information call 718-217-5477. The website is mta.info.

Other Viewing Locations:

Wantagh Park-Off Merrick Road in Wantagh. Follow the main road to the end. Walk to the pier or waters-edge. Great unobstructed views of the bay, Jones Beach is under 4 miles away. Air Show planes frequently fly over the park. Tip- Buy/bring lunch, there are lots of tables and chairs.

Norman J. Levy Preserve- Off Merrick Road in Merrick. Walk to the top of this 115 ft hill. View from the top is unmatched anywhere on the South Shore. Jones Beach is 4.5 miles southeast of this location. Tip- Bring binoculars & water, wear sneakers.

Point Lookout, Lido & Long Beaches- No Parking, Show up too late? Take Ocean Parkway East to the Loop Parkway, there are miles of beaches on Long Beach Island. Jones Beach is East of this location, air show planes turn around at these points.

On the Water-Got a boat? Boats are allowed all over except under the main performance area near the Central mall.

Official Websites:

2008 Bethpage Federal Credit Union New York Air Show at Jones Beach

Jones Beach State Park