Macys 4th Of July Fireworks (via Macy’s)
May 6, 2019 By Christian Murray
Long Island City had a four-year run but now its Brooklyn Bridge’s turn.
Macy’s announced Friday that this year’s 4th of July Fireworks will take place in the Brooklyn Bridge area, with the shells and special effects being shot from the famous bridge and four barges positioned along the shores of Pier 17 at the Seaport District in Manhattan.
Long Island City had been the central point for the fireworks from 2015 through 2018, with Macy’s using Hunters Point South Park as its base and igniting the fireworks from barges on the East River near the park and north Brooklyn.
The fireworks were a boon to Long Island City that brought more than 50,000 spectators each year to the waterfront, according to police figures at the time. Furthermore, famous performers—such as Flor Rida and pop stars Robin Thicke and Meghan Trainor—performed at Hunters Point South Park leading up to the event for pre-recording each year.
Macy’s did not expressly say why it elected to move the fireworks farther down the East River. However, it estimates that millions of spectators will gather for the event, with the bulk of them congregating at Pier 17, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade.
Frank Raffaele, the CEO and founder of the Long Island City-based Coffeed, said he was disappointed that Macy’s moved them but is hopeful they will come back in years to come.
“It was amazing for Long Island City and Queens when they were here,” Raffaele said. “They will come back. Long Island City should be home of the fireworks,” he said.
“We have the parks and the skyline. People get to see the iconic Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and UN Building in the background–all while celebrating our country’s birthday.”
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18 Comments
How can you not love having them in your backyard? One day a year. I will miss it big time.
Just like extreme right-wing purveyors of bad BBQ, fireworks are for tossers.
very happy about this move
Best thing that happened to the neighborhood this year. We should create events in the area to enjoy the Fourth that don’t involve attracting a barely controlled mob scene.
Glad they’ve moved. Until they improve subway and street services to the area and figure out a way to let the people that live here have access to the viewing areas along the park it was more hassle than joy. A disgusting mess left after too.
I think it is great to do them from the Brooklyn Bridge..I saw that display in 2014 and it was beautiful. Macys should take turns with different neighborhoods..this way everyone gets a chance. I am wondering when it will return to the Hudson River. For five or more years it was on the Hudson..so everyone gets a turn.
But I’ve already bought 20 lb’s of chicken wings!
So now Macy’s is screwing LIC the same way Amazon and the politicians who scared Amazon away. Hunters Point is a small neighborhood of LIC and it needs things like Amazon and the July 4th fireworks to help it grow and not turn backward to abandoned warehouses and closed restaurants. Why is this happening?!!
It’s happening because the Demoncrats are socialists who promote impossibly expensive programs at our expense. Amazon would have provided over 25,000 jobs to families living in poverty in NY and especially for those growing up in Housing projects. Citizens are walking away from the Democratic Party in droves because of the ignorance of OAC, questionable ethics of our Mayor and the Pelosi/Schumer shenanigans. I’ve had it with this lot! I didn’t expect our representatives to be dumber than the citizens they represent.
Good job regurgitating Fox News talking points without adding any original thought at all, but does this have anything to do with fireworks?
Wait…are they Democrats or Socialists? Or are they communists? Or Marxists? You know the difference right? ?
Just kidding, you’re just regurgitating what Fox News told you to believe.
It is happening because de Blasio is from Brooklyn. The same reason he goes all the way to Brooklyn just to work out. He loves Brooklyn.
…cue JVB to launch campaign to bring fireworks back to LIC!
I heard Matt Bowen is going to fly to Macy’s to convince them to bring the fireworks back
He’s been busy looking like, nay, being a tosser at The Met Gala to care.
Good! It hasn’t been the same for years at Lic. Used to actually be able to get to the piers and see the fireworks but with more high rise buildings it all changed.
I’m actually glad. It’s become such a mess and inconvenience that skipping a year here and there is welcome. Last year I left the area to avoid it and came back late, about 12:30, thinking it would all be over..nope. Traffic was still a disaster, the crowds were still moping about, and the garbage was everywhere.
Good.