Governor Hochul Announces Memorial Day Weekend Programs at Jones Beach State Park to Commemorate 250th Anniversary of American Revolution

Parking Will Be Free During Memorial Day Weekend

Aerial Display will Feature 1,000 Illuminated Drones

Reenactment Village To Take Visitors Back to 1776

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of a major event at Jones Beach State Park to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 and 24. Governor Hochul also announced that parking will be free at Jones Beach State Park throughout Memorial Day Weekend, making the event even more affordable and accessible for New York families. The event will feature a historical village of local re-enactors and exhibits highlighting Long Island’s role in the Revolutionary War, as well as a live musical performance and synchronized aerial display of up to 1,000 illuminated drones to close the program on Sunday evening.

“This exciting two-day event at Jones Beach State Park will be an incredible kick-off to the summer season on Long Island — and with free parking, we’re making it even more affordable and accessible for New York families,” Governor Hochul said. “The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is an unparalleled opportunity to commemorate New York’s history and promote the state as a top destination for visitors. I’m looking forward to events across the state this year to highlight our revolutionary spirit and remind the world that New Yorkers have always been at the forefront of the continuing fight for liberty and equality.”

The Sunday evening finale will begin with a patriotic musical tribute to the military. The performance will take place at the Central Mall Bandshell from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. At 9 p.m., a 20-minute drone light show produced by Grizzly Entertainment will begin. The aerial show will feature animation designs consisting of up to 1,000 drones. Animations will include patriotic symbols and imagery to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and honor military personnel. Primary viewing for the show will take place at the park’s Central Mall, where music will be simulcast along the boardwalk for an interactive viewing experience.

New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Jones Beach State Park on Memorial Day weekend is the ideal place to welcome thousands of New Yorkers from all over to take part in the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The exciting event is an opportunity for us to reflect on our history and honor American service members while enjoying the start of the summer season.”

On both Saturday and Sunday, historical re-enactors will demonstrate various events in history and illustrate the way of life in 1776. This Reenactment Village will be located between Parking Field 3 & 4 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The program includes:

• Costumed living historians portraying the 5th New York Regiment as well as the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, an African American Unit
• Reenactment play featuring four New Yorkers who signed the Declaration of Independence: feature William Floyd, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston and Lewis Morris
• Dramatic Reading of The Declaration of Independence by an actor portraying Thomas Jefferson
• Colonial Cooking (Sunday only): a historic cooking demonstration reflecting the time period with an open-air hearth
• Shinnecock Cultural Display: an immersive Indigenous Traditional Living Experience with an exhibit showcasing traditional cooking methods and sustainable cultural practices and insights into Indigenous traditions
• Reenactors portraying George Washington, Benjamin Tallmadge and Dragoon officer Stephen Moylan will all appear on horseback. Additional reenactors portraying James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin will also be present
• Look to the sky for legendary Warbirds — representing over 80 years of aviation history from the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport. Fly-bys will take place throughout each day beginning at 12 p.m.

Additionally, the park concessionaire will expand food offerings for the weekend with three pop-up tents at Center Boardwalk. At West Bathhouse, an authentic Greek food truck will provide a taste of the Mediterranean near the beach.

Memorial Day weekend is also the start of ocean swimming at Jones Beach State Park. For more information on hours and activities, visit https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/jones-beach-state-park

The Memorial Day weekend program at Jones Beach is part of New York State’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution throughout the Empire State. Additional opportunities to celebrate the anniversary include:

• Commemorative events: From the Sail4th parade of tall ships in New York City to gripping reenactments of Revolutionary War events, nearly 200 immersive activities and exhibitions are planned across the state, with new options added regularly. Events can be found on the I LOVE NY website here.
• Traveling exhibition: The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s touring Revisit the Revolution Traveling Exhibition will gather historically significant artifacts from across the state historic site system to tell the story of New York’s influential role in the Revolutionary War. The exhibition will be available for loan to historic sites, parks, libraries and more across New York State. The first stop will be the Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston on May 30. Information on reserving the exhibition and upcoming stops will be posted here.
• Experience Revolutionary history at New York State Parks: New York manages 45 state historic sites and parks connected to the American Revolution — including the nation’s first state historic site — Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh. These sites are hosting special exhibitions, offering dynamic programs, showcasing preservation projects, sharing digital resources and more. Learn about opportunities to experience this Revolutionary connection here.
• Interactive Kiosks: The interactive video displays highlighting New York's rich history in the American Revolution are available at 18 historic sites and state parks. Visitors can explore 28 different themes involving high-profile players like George Washington and French allies while also examining the perspectives of women, Indigenous communities, enslaved and free Black people and Loyalists. More information is available here.
• New York State Park at the Fair: With Revisit the Revolution: New York 250th Showcase at the State Fair, the State Park at the Fair will provide visitors with the chance to interact with interpreters and artifacts from across the historic site system to encourage visitors to experience this history first-hand at historic sites throughout the state.
• Access to Online Collections: Historic objects from New York state historic sites and state parks can be found online — and more are being added every day. Collections include numerous materials connected to the Revolution in New York State.

New Yorkers are encouraged to take advantage of New York State Park Pass Programs for affordable access. There are a variety of special passes that can make visits to State Parks more affordable or even free for many New Yorkers:

•  The Empire Pass , $80 per calendar year, covers vehicle use fees, and is open to all New Yorkers. Approximately 70 public libraries have one available to borrow at no cost.
• For New York residents 62 or older, the Golden Park Program provides free weekday entry to most New York State Parks with just a New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID.
• The free Lifetime Liberty Pass for veterans and Gold Star Families and Access Pass for people with disabilities include waived vehicle entry at most State Parks, boat launches, historic sites, and arboretums; free greens fees at state run facilities; free swimming pool entrance; and discounts for camping.
• New York State Parks accepts the National Park Service's (NPS) Every Kid Outdoors pass upon presentation for free entry of 4th grade students and their family into all State Parks.