Macy’s 4th of July fireworks returns to the East River for a fourth year in a row in 2018, with more than 3,000 shells and effects launched per minute from seven barges between 23rd and 42nd Streets.
Macy’s says this year’s display will be “one for the record books,” 25 percent larger than last year, with a host of new shells in 25 colors and effects including neon pinwheels, swirling water fountains, brocade horse tails, ghosting fans, blooming ring chases, and pulsing hearts.
More than 75,000 shells will decorate the night sky.
The 42nd edition of the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular is expected to be seen live by more than 3 million spectators lining both sides of the East River in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, and another 10 million TV viewers nationwide.
Once again this year, the fireworks are timed to the score of patriotic songs played by the West Point Band and Glee Club,and will highlight new interpretations of patriotic classics like Stars & Stripes Forever and The Star Spangled Banner, as well as several American musical standards.
The 25-minute show will begin at around 9:25 p.m.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of famed American composer Leonard Bernstein, a medley of his classic musical compositions will be showcased including the iconic New York, New Yorkfrom “On the Town,” as well as Mambo and America from “West Side Story.”
There also will be a special performance of a new recording of “God Bless America” by superstar Kelly Clarkson. The song, written by an immigrant named Irving Berlin, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Clarkson will be backed by the full West Point Band Orchestra and Glee Club.
Spectators lining the shores of the East River will also enjoy an NYPD helicopter flyover and an FDNY water boat show prior to the start of the display.
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The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular was launched in 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the USA, and has been held every year since, getting bigger and better with each year.
The fireworks were moved to the Hudson River in 2009, but returned to the East River in 2015.
Macy’s has used Hunters Point South Park as a staging area for the showcase and a private viewing in past years, and in 2018 again, it is being closed off to the public that day. Neighboring Gantry Plaza State Park will be open, as in past years.
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