BETHPAGE, N.Y.-- Bethpage FCU here drew nearly 400,000 spectators for its 9th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. The turnout is nearly 15% of Long Island's total population.
"The Bethpage Air Show provides Bethpage with an exceptional opportunity to connect with our community in an impactful way," said CEO Kirk Kordeleski.
Making appearances at the air show were the United States Navy Blue Angels, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, U.S. Navy F18 Super Hornet, 106th New York Air National Guard Rescue Demo Wing HC-130/HH-60, and the WWII B-17 Flying Fortress. Civilian performers included the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, GEICO Skytypers, Sean D. Tucker - Team Oracle, Lt. Col. John Klatt - National Guard Reserve, Matt Chapman, David Windmiller, and Ed Hamill, who flew Bethpage Bi-Plane.
Bethpage FCU's marketing support for the show included two interactive Facebook contests for fans. "My Very First Flight" challenged contestants to share photos capturing memories of their first flight, and "Recognizing Our Veterans" challenged fans to share stories about what Memorial Day means to them. Ten winners in the promotion received tickets to meet Bethpage Air Show performers, the GEICO Skytypers, at a planeside reception where winners climbed aboard vintage WWII aircraft.
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