Beaches? Packed. Traffic? Heavy. Temps? Still rising.
Traffic backs up on Wantagh Parkway heading toward Jones Beach Friday. Credit: Neil Miller
As temperatures continued to climb on Friday, beachgoers at Jones Beach looked upward to see part of the rehearsal for the weekend’s FourLeaf July Fourth fireworks and air show. Organizers delivered 1,776 red, white and blue cupcakes on the boardwalk to mark the Semiquincentennial.
"So we have a great crowd coming in here. So far, not overwhelming. We have a steady crowd," said George Gorman, state parks regional director for Long Island.
Parking lots remained about half full with large crowds on Jones Beach and the boardwalk.
Overhead, performers flew over the beach doing stunts and skywriting, including drawing a heart.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights and the U.K. Red Devils parachute regiment also jumped onto the beach carrying a 5,000 square-foot American flag.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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