Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Historically Low Attendance for 2013 Jones Beach Air Show

Poor weather that resulted in Saturday cancellation leads to a low turnout for annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.

Spectators during Friday's practice run for the 2013 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. 
Photo Credit: Andrew Coen


Posted by Andrew Coen, May 28, 2013 at 01:46 pm


A cancelled day of performances Saturday due to heavy rain and wind combined with cool temperatures Sunday resulted in record- low attendance numbers for the 10th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach Memorial Day weekend.

New York State Parks Deputy Regional Director George Gorman said attendance for Sunday’s air show numbered around 81,000. The 2012 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach attracted nearly 400,000 spectators.

“We had hoped to get a maximum of 200,000 people Sunday but realized Saturday with the forecast that it was going to be under 100,000,” Gorman said. “The conditions were not beach conditions.”

In addition to challenges with the weather, air show organizers also suffered a blow in early April when the U.S. Air Force announced that its Thunderbirds precision flying team was was cancelling all 2013 performances including Jones Beach due to 85 billion in federal budget cuts forced by a congressional sequestration deal struck in March. The 2013 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach featured civilian performers and a second-time appearance by the Royal Canadian Air Force Supersonic F18 Demo Team.

Gorman said Jones Beach attendance remained low on Memorial Day due to continued cooler temperatures with attendance estimated at around 20,000 on the holiday. Despite the the disappointing weekend, Gorman said he expects once the weather heats up for many people to hit Jones Beach in 2013, especially in the aftermath of the Long Island landmark rebounding fromdevastation caused last fall by Hurricane Sandy.

“People are going to want to come out and support the park after Sandy,”Gorman said. “Hopefully we’ll have a sunshine summer and have attendance through the roof.” 


Story and Photo:  http://bellmore.patch.com

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