Preparations are underway Friday for a Fourth of July city tradition, as crews put the finishing touches on the fireworks for the annual Macy's spectacular, the largest fireworks display in the country. This year's display will be the second largest in history, surpassed only by the Millennium celebration. The 30-minute salute to the nation's birthday, our armed forces and the Olympic spirit features more than 36,000 shells.
"The reason we went larger is we're working with Skitch Henderson of the New Pops and the score was so full, so rich, so lush that we felt we needed more fireworks in the sky, so about halfway through the planning process, we added a barge to this thing," said Macy's fireworks director Robin Hall.
Crews are busy today setting up seven barges full of booms and bangs. The computer-driven spectacle will include a relentless launching of more than 1,000 shells a minute.
“We’ve got vivid colors, we’ve got high-definition, high-tech fireworks, and really interesting patterns and effects for everyone this year,� said Gary Souza of Sousa Fireworks.
The fireworks will be set off from three locations: on the East River between 23rd and 42nd streets; from South Street Seaport; and from Liberty Island.
The best places to watch in Manhattan include the FDR Drive from 14th Street to 42nd Street, and Broad Street to the Brooklyn Bridge.
In Brooklyn, some good vantage points include the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, and waterfront spots in Greenpoint. In Queens, visit Long Island City and Hunters Point.
The display kicks off around 9:20 p.m. Monday.
Some roads will be closed because of the fireworks. The FDR Drive and First Avenue from Houston to 63rd Streets will be closed in both directions from 2 p.m. Monday until 2 a. Tuesday; also 14th and 15th Streets between the FDR and Avenue C will be closed. Farther south, the drive will be closed from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery Tunnel.
Police are urging drivers to use public transportation. Also a reminder: no large backpacks, coolers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the fireworks celebration.
For more information you can go online to www.macys.com or www.nyc.gov.
"The reason we went larger is we're working with Skitch Henderson of the New Pops and the score was so full, so rich, so lush that we felt we needed more fireworks in the sky, so about halfway through the planning process, we added a barge to this thing," said Macy's fireworks director Robin Hall.
Crews are busy today setting up seven barges full of booms and bangs. The computer-driven spectacle will include a relentless launching of more than 1,000 shells a minute.
“We’ve got vivid colors, we’ve got high-definition, high-tech fireworks, and really interesting patterns and effects for everyone this year,� said Gary Souza of Sousa Fireworks.
The fireworks will be set off from three locations: on the East River between 23rd and 42nd streets; from South Street Seaport; and from Liberty Island.
The best places to watch in Manhattan include the FDR Drive from 14th Street to 42nd Street, and Broad Street to the Brooklyn Bridge.
In Brooklyn, some good vantage points include the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, and waterfront spots in Greenpoint. In Queens, visit Long Island City and Hunters Point.
The display kicks off around 9:20 p.m. Monday.
Some roads will be closed because of the fireworks. The FDR Drive and First Avenue from Houston to 63rd Streets will be closed in both directions from 2 p.m. Monday until 2 a. Tuesday; also 14th and 15th Streets between the FDR and Avenue C will be closed. Farther south, the drive will be closed from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery Tunnel.
Police are urging drivers to use public transportation. Also a reminder: no large backpacks, coolers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the fireworks celebration.
For more information you can go online to www.macys.com or www.nyc.gov.