Thunderbirds Announced for 2013 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach

Despite incurring significant damage from Superstorm Sandy in late October, Jones Beach in Wantagh will once again be playing host to the annual Bethpage Air Show this Memorial Day weekend.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation Historic Preservation and Bethpage Federal Credit Union announced Wednesday that the United States Air Force Thunderbirds will be headlining the 10th Anniversary Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach from May 25-26. It will be the legendary demonstration squadron's fourth appearance at the show, which will be the first major event at Jones Beach since the Oct. 29 superstorm. The 2012 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach attracted nearly 400,000 spectators.

“As we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy, this is great news for Long Island,” said Bethpage Senior Vice President Linda Armyn. “Each year the Bethpage Air Show brings millions of dollars into the Long Island region, and for this coming season especially, the show will help give a much needed boost to our local economy as we kick off the summer tourism season.”

Organizers also announced Wednesday that the United States Army Golden Knights and the United States Navy F-18 Super Hornet have both committed to perform at the 2013 Bethpage Air Show. This year's headliner, the United States Navy Blue Angels, will perform in the 2014 show.