NEW YORK. New York is turning Jones Beach State Park into a Memorial Day Weekend launch point for the state’s America 250 programming. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a two-day kickoff tied to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, with free public programming intended to make the holiday weekend more accessible for families.
Official Governor Hochul video on America 250 events at Jones Beach.
Why it matters
The state says the event will feature Revolutionary War reenactors, a drone show and free parking at Jones Beach during the holiday weekend. For Long Island residents, the practical takeaway is simple: a major state park is becoming a free, family-oriented civic and history destination at the start of summer.
The announcement also fits a broader tourism push. America 250 programming gives state parks, historic sites, museums and local communities a reason to bring visitors into public spaces while highlighting New York’s role in the Revolution.
What to watch next
BigNY readers should watch for transportation, parking and crowd updates before heading out, especially because Memorial Day Weekend can bring heavy beach traffic across Nassau County and the barrier beaches.
Source: Governor Kathy Hochul, May 2026. Read the official release.