Adventureland launches ‘Party on the Midway’ series with DJ Justin Michaels

“It’s adding a pulse to the park.”

Years ago, DJ Justin Michaels was working nightclub crowds in New York City and the Hamptons, keeping dance floors packed well into the early morning hours.

These days, you’ll find the Hauppauge native — now a father — behind the turntables at Adventureland, taking song requests from families, and keeping the energy high throughout the park.

For Michaels, whose new “Party on the Midway” series debuted at the Farmingdale amusement park this past weekend, it’s a role that feels just right.

“I’m in the perfect position now. Twenty years later, I’m a family guy, a single dad with a daughter,” Michaels told Greater Long Island. “That’s why the Adventureland atmosphere is awesome. It’s so authentic.”

The four-hour performances take place in the late afternoon and evening near the Frisbee ride, and the music is pumped through the speakers from one end of the park to the other. 

“It’s adding a pulse to the park, adding a great vibe,” he said.

While this summer marks the debut of Party on the Midway, Michaels is no stranger to Adventureland.

A DJ since 1998, his music connection to the park dates back to 2021, when he donated his DJ services for Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation VIP Night fundraiser. The event was such a positive experience that he continued working special events at the park in the years that followed.

This year, Adventureland officials approached him about expanding his role.

“They reached out to see if I’d be interested in performing more often,” Michaels said.  “The answer was an easy yes.”

After making his first appearance of the season this past Saturday, Michaels is scheduled to return for eight more Saturdays throughout the summer, including this Saturday, and then every other Saturday through September 5th.

Unlike a nightclub set where a DJ might focus on personal musical tastes, Michaels says his approach at Adventureland is entirely centered on the guests.

“We aren’t playing the music that we want to hear,” he said. “We are playing danceable music in the park that our guests want to hear.  It will be a party atmosphere.”

That means reading the crowd, taking requests and finding songs that appeal to visitors of all ages.

“We weren’t given any guidelines on what we can and can’t play — just nothing with curses,” Michaels said with a laugh. “Someone last weekend asked me to play Cardi B’s ‘WAP.’ I certainly didn’t play it.”

For Michaels, the goal goes beyond simply playing music.

“I just want to help enhance the experience and connect people at the park,” he said.

Top: DJ Justin Michaels at Salt Shack on Cedar Beach. (courtesy photo)