Airshows, reenactors to hit Jones Beach this summer for America's 250th

ALBANY — Add George Washington and James Madison to the list of Jones Beach attractions this summer.

The two former presidents — or at least historical reenactors portraying them — will be part of the festivities and events highlighting the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States this summer on Long Island.

The celebrations will be highlighted by four events over the Memorial Day and July Fourth weekends at Jones Beach State Park, which will serve as a hub of New York's commemoration events..

The state parks system is hosting a series of themed programs built around the 250th anniversary throughout the year on Long Island, which was the scene of numerous Revolutionary battles and skirmishes between American and British forces.

"The founding of America 250 years ago cannot be told without including New York's pivotal role in the American Revolution," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "We’re looking forward to an incredible range of programs at state parks on Long Island throughout the year."

The Memorial Day weekend events at Jones Beach will include a patriotic-themed drone show over the Atlantic Ocean in front of the Central Mall at Jones Beach State Park, along with historical reenactors portraying the four New Yorkers who signed the Declaration of Independence: Philip Livingston, Lewis Morris, William Floyd, and Francis Lewis.

In addition to Washington and Madison, former presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, along with Benjamin Franklin, will be featured. Other reenactors will include Benjamin Tallmadge and Robert Townsend, Long Island residents who were key members of the Culper Spy Ring that passed along information about British troop movements to Washington’s forces.

There will also be Revolutionary War re-enactor encampments from the all-Black 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the 5th New York Regiment.

The celebrations that weekend will also include demonstrations of colonial-era cooking, music from a fife and drum band, along with history-themed family games.

The July Fourth weekend celebration will feature the United States Navy Blue Angels as part of the FourLeaf Air Show and Fireworks: Celebrating America’s250 on July 4-6.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin 9:30 p.m. on July 4, with the annual air show set for July 5 and 6. The show’s headliner is the United States Navy Blue Angels, which will be joined by international military jet teams.

Other performances will include the United States Army Golden Knights, United States Navy F-35c Lightning II Demo Team, Australian professional aerobatic and air race pilot Aarron Deliu, American Air Power Museum Warbirds, Farmingdale State College Aviation, 105th Airlift Wing, and NY Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III Flyover.

A list of the commemorative celebrations happening across the state can be found on the I LOVE NY website.