2018 Jones Beach Air Show: Everything You Need To Know

This weekend is the 15th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. The weekend-long event kicks off on Saturday with all the spectacle that people have come to expect from the show.

Last year's show drew a crowd of 315,000 people over the two days, which was the smallest crowd since 2011. And yet, at least as many people are expected to show up this year, especially with favorable weather on the radar.

The show takes place Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Entry to the show is free, but parking is $10 per car. And with hundreds of thousands of people attending, parking lots can fill up quickly — sometimes by 11 a.m. When that happens, the roads are closed off and people are turned away. So if you want to get a space, make sure to get the beach early.

This year's performers include the return of the crowd-favorite U.S. Navy Blue Angels. There will also be the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds (a stunt squadron from our neighbors to the north), flybys by an F-22 Raptor and the Golden Knights, the Army parachute team. In addition, Long Island's American Airpower Museum will be flying some of its classic planes, and many independent aviators will also be performing.

Here's some important information:

• Traveling by public transportation? Click here for the train schedule or click here for the bus schedule.
• Guests can bring bags, backpacks and coolers, but they will be checked.
• You're going to be on the beach for hours: make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, food and water.
• It's going to get loud, so ear plugs are recommended, especially for small children.

For more information on the Jones Beach Air Show, click here.

Photo: New York State Parks