2023 Bethpage Air Show: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds return as headliners

Organizers of the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach announced on Thursday the full lineup for the Memorial Day weekend event, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at the top of the bill.

The 2023 air show is scheduled for May 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will mark the Thunderbirds' ninth performance as a headliner, organizers said in a news release.

“We have a full line up of exciting performers this year, and of course we are very happy to welcome the Thunderbirds back to Long Island,” said George Gorman, regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in a statement.

The annual show is the one of the largest on Long Island and drew more than 366,000 people when the squadron last headlined in 2019.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Demonstration Team will also be among the military performers at this year's show,  along with the U.S. Navy F-18 Growler Legacy Team and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod,  according to organizers.

Civilian performers range from the Skytypers Air Show Team and Folds of Honor Biplane with Ed Hamill to Long Island’s own David Windmiller and the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams, who will fly several of their 22 college-owned aircraft.  North America’s most decorated aerobatic pilot, Mike Goulian, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, the Civil Air Patrol and the Warbird Thunder Airshows will also perform. 

Five flight instructors and recent graduates from Farmingdale State College will open the show. Michael Canders, the college's aviation center director, said this is their 10th year opening the event.

SEE PHOTOSSee photos of the 2022 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach

“All the acts fly out of Republic Airport and that’s our home, so it’s great fun to be a part of it,” Canders said.  “When we meet new kids that want to come in, they often say 'Hey, we saw you at the air show.' ” 

The air show is free to the public, but a $10 vehicle use fee will be collected each day. There is no fee for 2023 NYS Empire Pass cardholders. For updates, visit bethpageairshow.com or facebook.com/BethpageAirShow.