Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks will be held on the West Side again this year (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Televised live on NBC-TV
Broadcast live on WINS 1010
Monday, July 4, free, 9:20 pm (approx.)
212-494-4495
www.macys.com/fireworks
We’ve been selfishly hoping that the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks would return to the East Side after moving to the West Side in 2009 and 2010, since we live in a building whose roof offers spectacular views of the East River. But alas, this year Macy’s, in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks, once again will be launching its shells from six barges situated on the Hudson River between 20th & 55th Sts. The thirty-fifth annual display pays tribute to the nation’s 235th birthday as well as the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, with thirteen computers and thirty miles of wire operating more than forty thousand shells packing some fifty thousand pounds of pyrotechnics in seventeen colors and fifty shapes. The festivities get under way at approximately 9:20 with “Fanfare,” which Macy’s describes as a “thundering rumble of cascading silver diadem chrysanthemums, before a rumbling barrage of blue, red, and white reports introduce the patriotic revelry.” The blasts continue for a total of twenty-five minutes with “Stars & Stripes Forever,” James Taylor performing “America the Beautiful,” Katy Perry’s “Firework,” the All Star Marching Band’s rendition of “Down by the Riverside,” Anika Noni Rose and Karen Olivo teaming up on “Gift of Light,” the Cincinnati Pops playing “Liberty Fanfare,” LeAnn Rimes singing “Amazing Grace,” Taio Cruz exploding on “Dynamite,” Everclear warbling “This Land Is Your Land,” and Jennifer Hudson taking on “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the grand finale, set to “God Bless America.” Along the way you’ll encounter bursting red stars, ruby laces, gold comets trailing fuschia sparkles, triple interlaced rings, falling leaves, golden kamuros, silver tails, swirling stars, lemon and purple “X” fans that transform into double palm branches, blue flower bouquets, strobing red dahlias, lightning flashes, happy faces, gold and silver waterfalls, and two towers of light honoring the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Vehicular traffic will be closed on the West Side Highway between 23rd and 59 Sts. on 12th Ave., with viewing spots not available along the Hudson River Park promenade and bike path, and there will be extremely limited access to Piers 54 and 84; public access points can be found at 24th, 26th-30th, 34th, 40th-44th, 47th-52nd, and 54th-57th Sts.