July 4, 2011
Macy's fireworks guide: map, VIP viewing, lineup
Editor’s note: The July 4, 2012 Macy’s fireworks will be on the Hudson River. See the list of 2012 NYC fireworks shows for more options.
The 35th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will begin tonight at 9:20 p.m. on the Hudson River, with more than 40,000 shells fired from six barges positioned between 20th and 55th streets.
The Sousa fireworks will rise as high as 1,000 feet, with 50 different shape effects, 17 colors with an average of 1,600 shells launched per minute for 25 minutes, according to Macy’s officials.
The West Side Highway will close late this afternoon and spectators will be allowed access to the free viewing areas at only certain cross streets (which will close as the related viewing areas fill up,) according to the NYPD advisory. Along 11th Avenue, access points will be located at 24th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 33rd, 34th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 54th, 55th, 56th and 57th streets. Large backpacks, lawn chairs, lawn blankets, coolers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the viewing areas.
Public viewing will also be available from Pier 54 and Pier 84. Also, if capacity issues warrant, NYPD may open the West Side Highway above 59th Street, according to an advisory from Macy’s.
Fireworks-related street closures start around 4:30 p.m. but the NYPD advisory asks drivers to steer clear from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., which includes cleanup time.
Spectators camped out early along the Hudson River will also have excellent views of the blimp race that starts at 5 p.m. at the Statue of Liberty and heads to a Midtown finish line. The competitive blimps are sponsored by Hangar One Vodka, DirecTV and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
F-15 Eagle jets and NYPD helicopters will do a flyover from the Verrazano Bridge to Pier 86, according to an NYPD advisory, which doesn’t state the specific time. Update as of 6:30 p.m.: The jets will flyover at approximately 7 p.m.; the NYPD helicopters will flyover around 8 p.m., according to Notify NYC, a public alert service operated by the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
FDNY fireboats will also offer a pre-fireworks water show.
In all, 3 million spectators are expected to see the show live, not counting the TV viewers.
This year’s theme celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, which was dedicated Oct. 28, 1886.
Macy’s did indeed hope to move the 2011 fireworks to the Statue of Liberty, the New York Times reported Friday, but was rejected by city officials who said Lower Manhattan could not handle the crowds.
Macy’s tonight will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 with a tribute in light while “Amazing Grace” is sung by LeAnn Rimes.
Other songs scheduled for tonight include “God Bless America,” “The Star Spangled Banner” sung by Jennifer Hudson, “Firework” sung by Katy Perry, “This Land is Your Land,” sung by Everclear, “America the Beautiful” by James Taylor, “Down By The Riverside” played by The All Star Marching Band, “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, “Liberty Fanfare” by The Cincinnati Pops and a new bilingual tribute to Lady Liberty, “Gift of Light,” sung by Broadway stars Anika Noni Rose and Karen Olivo.
See the Macy’s lineup for what type of fireworks are scheduled for each song.
The fireworks will be timed to the score, which will air live on 1010 WINS. The show will broadcast live on NBC from 9 p.m. with host Nick Lachey and performances by Beyoncé and Brad Paisley.
(The New York Times notes that the Beyonce performance was taped Friday near the Statue of Liberty.)
The top tiers of the Empire State Building tonight will light up red, white and blue but you’ll need to make special plans if you want to see the fireworks from the city’s tallest skyscraper. The observation decks will close early tonight, at 7 p.m., unless you’ve purchased a $125 ticket for the viewing party.
Other venues are selling VIP viewing access. Remaining options include the Circle Line pier party, NY Water Taxi cruise, Statue Cruises, Spirit Cruises, North River Historic Ship Society at Pier 66 and the Clipper City and Shearwater boats.
The new website Rooftop Drinker, with independent reviews of New York City’s rooftop bars, may also prove useful for fireworks venues.
The NYC webcam gallery includes links to cameras at the Intrepid Museum, over Midtown and the Hudson River and near the Manhattan Cruise Ship Terminal.
The Staten Island Ferry will be suspended from 8 to 10 p.m.
Resources: Macy’s Fireworks Hot Line at (212) 494-4495.
Update: Prior to 6 p.m. the Macy’s fireworks barges could be seen passing the Statue of Liberty on their way to the Hudson River.
In case there was any question whether Beyonce performed live, here’s how the Statue of Liberty looks at 9:10 p.m. tonight, with no Beyonce barge, and certainly not as dark as during the NBC broadcast:
Map and file fireworks picture credit: Macy’s. Barge picture by Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.
Earlier: Statue of Liberty crown on track to close Nov. 1 for fixes
Pre-July 4 fireworks scheduled for NYC
Macy’s July 4, 2011 fireworks return to Hudson River
Macy’s seeks Hudson/NY Harbor 4th of July permit
Macy’s July 4th fireworks on Hudson River again in 2010
Macy’s 4th of July fireworks moving to Hudson River (2009)
July 4, 2011 10:12 AM in Cheap Stuff, Downtown, Kids, Maps, Midtown, Sightsology, Upper West Side
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