(Contact: Epoch 5 Public Relations)
Long Island’s “Greatest Show” Just Weeks Away
Bethpage, NY – With just four weeks remaining until the Bethpage Air Show, Long Islanders are gearing up for what has come to be known as “Long Island’s Greatest Show.” The 9th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, which each year draws in large crowds, is taking place Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 26, 2012 and Sunday, May 27, 2012, and this year, is expected to be one of the most attended Bethpage Air Shows to date.
Back for their 5th Bethpage Air Show appearance, Bethpage and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are thrilled to welcome back the United States Navy Blue Angels military jet team who will visit Long Island to wow audiences with their fast-paced high performance maneuvers and precision formations.
Considered unmatched by any known fighter jet in the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor will also join this year’s lineup for its second Bethpage Air Show appearance. The F-22’s sleek aerodynamic design, advanced flight controls, increased and unmatched thrust and high thrust-to-weight ratio allows the F-22 to cruise at supersonic airspeeds and outmaneuver all current and project aircraft. Fans will witness precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the unique capabilities of the world’s only operational fifth-general fighter aircraft.
Traveling all the way from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, Long Island fans will also be treated to a performance by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 431 Flight Demonstration Squadron, known as the Snowbirds – Canada’s military aerobatics flight demonstration team.
The following world-class performers are scheduled to perform at this year’s show:
Military performers include: United States Navy Blue Angels, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, The United States Navy F18 Super Hornet, 106th New York Air National Guard Rescue Demo Wing
HC-130/HH-60, and the WWII B-17 Flying Fortress. Civilian performers include: American Airpower Museum Warbirds, GEICO Skytypers, Sean D. Tucker – Team Oracle, Lt. Col. John Klatt
– National Guard Reserve, Matt Chapman, David Windmiller, and Ed Hamill, who will fly the Bethpage Bi-Plane.
Fans of the Bethpage Air Show can also participate this year in two interactive and exciting Facebook contests designed to celebrate fans of flight, as well as our nation’s deserving veterans. The Bethpage “My Very First Flight” contest challenges Bethpage Air Show Facebook fans to submit positive photos capturing their “very first flight.” Whether it was as a child traveling to visit grandparents or as an adult taking their first tandem jump. The Bethpage “Veteran Appreciation” contest recognizes and celebrates those who have served our country. For this contest, Bethpage is challenging veterans to share what Memorial Day Weekend and the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach means to them.
Those interested in participating in the Bethpage contests can upload their photos and stories to an official Facebook Contest link found on the Bethpage Air Show Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/jonesbeachairshow, or by mailing photos and stories to Bethpage Federal Credit Union 899 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, New York 11714, ATTN: Bethpage Air Show Contests. Winners for each contest will receive four VIP tickets to the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach Reception held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, four VIP Tickets to the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, and four Tickets to the Geico Skytypers Planeside Meet & Greet.
The Bethpage Air Show will be held Memorial Day weekend 2012 at Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY, on Saturday, May 26, 2012 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Sunday, May 27, 2012 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Available on a first come, first served basis, fans visiting on Saturday, May 26th, will be treated to an official, laminated Air Show poster, which will be distributed at Jones Beach toll booths. The Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee (parking fee) will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park. For 2012 NYS Parks 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, 2013 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 the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach website or Facebook page or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at 631/321-3510.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 196,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 350 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.