Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday May 12, 2008
EXPERIENCE AVIATION HISTORY THIS MEMORIAL DAY ON LONG ISLAND
Contact: Kristen Matejka
Director of Marketing and Communications LICVB&SC
631 951-3900 xt.317
HAUPPAUGE, NY -(May 12, 2008)- Spend Memorial Day weekend on Long Island for a full range of events celebrating the armed services and Long Island’s own contributions to aviation history. Events include the world-class Jones Beach Air Show, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with thrilling demonstrations and aircraft displays at the American Airpower Museum, Eisenhower Park and the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Long Island has shaped aviation history from Lindberg’s first solo trans-Atlantic flight at Roosevelt Field to Grumman Corp.’s Lunar Excursion Module and F-14 fighter jets.
An historic spectrum of aviation machinery will perform at the Jones Beach Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show, along with the United States Navy Blue Angles precision performance on May 24-25 from 10 to 3.
In addition to the Blue Angels, the F-22A Raptors are also confirmed to participate along with the U.S. Army Golden Knights, New York Air National Guard HC-130/HH60 Rescue Demo, GEICO Skytypers, Sean D. Tucker-Team Oracle, Air Force Reserve Biplane Show and many more. Visit www.jonesbeachairshow.com
Walk though at the American Airpower museum in Farmingdale, through control towers and hangers where World War II aircrafts were prepared for battle during the 1940s. Home to Republic Aviation, the complex produced over 9,000 P-47 Thunderbolts in its time. Vintage army vehicles bring visitors along the fight line and up to historic control towers as fighters, bombers, and transport aircraft take to the air. Volunteers in authentic flight gear are available to answer any question about the airplanes.
Gearing up for Memorial Day weekend, the Airpower Museum the Blue Angles will be kicking of the weekend on May 20 for a military demonstration which can be viewed near the airport terminal. On May 21, the Warbirds over Long Island group will arrive for the festivities with their P-51 and P-40. Around noon on May 22, is the expected arrival of the B-17 “Yankee Lady” as well as flights from fighter planes at 2p.m.
For the weekend, those visiting the American Airpower Museum will get an up close view of World War II fighters, bombers and paratroop planes preparing to depart for Jones Beach for the air show. There will also be Military “Dog Fights” throughout the day demonstrating their skills and talent. The Blue Angels will depart at 1:45p.m. from the museum and arrive back around 3p.m. for the weekend festivities.
On Monday, fighters are scheduled to be up in the air by11:30a.m. On Memorial Day, a second fighter sortie is scheduled for 1:30p.m. The museum’s Navy squadron, including its Avenger and Corsair, will seek to take to the skies at noon and its C-47 D-Day veterans will fly by 3p.m., escorted by the museum’s P-40 Warhawk. The L-39 will fly Cold War “missions” at 11a.m. and 4p.m. while the B-17 Flying Fortress will operate throughout the day, depending on flight experience demands. First flight is expected at 9a.m. Visit www.americanairpowermuseum.com
Appropriately located on Charles Lindberg Blvd in Garden City, the Cradle of Aviation Museum is a staple of flight history. Take a walk though the generations of actual planes, from the first bi-planes and Lindberg’s Spirit of St. Louis, to fighter jets and the actual test model for the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) used on man’s first moon landing. Take the IMAX experience giving the viewer the sensation of motion with extraordinary sound and sight. The largest in New York State, enjoy various movies taking visitors from the deep sea to the far reaches of outer space. Visit www.cradleofaviation.org/
Close by in East Meadow at Eisenhower Park, view the restored Vietnam War era UH-34D Marine Helicopter belonging to the Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Association on May 24 from 10a.m till noon. The marines will greet visitors and answer questions about the vehicle and its unique history. Visit www.34restoration.org/
For visitors who want to get even more involved in aviation action, several Long Island companies offer flights in site seeing planes, motorless gliders, balloon rides and parachuting at Suffolk County Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach and Calverton Airport. For the more daring aviation buffs, Long Island is also home to sky diving schools, glider plane rides, balloon rides and site seeing planes.
For more information visit www.discoverlongisland.com
The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICVB&SC) was established in 1979 as the official tourism promotion agency for the destination’s travel and tourism industry. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB&SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for tourism, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and related activities. For more information about Long Island, please contact the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission by calling 1-877-586-6654 or visit www.discoverlongisland.com.
Press Contact Email: kmatejka@discoverlongisland.com
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330 Motor Parkway, Suite 203, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (631) 951-3900 www.discoverlongisland.com
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