Macy’s fireworks will be live on July 4 in NYC for ‘biggest show yet,’ de Blasio says
Macy’s annual July 4 fireworks display will be back, live, with New Yorkers able to see in person the “biggest show yet,” Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.
“Americans’ biggest fireworks display is back,” de Blasio said during his daily press conference, saying the low COVID-19 rates and high vaccination rates made the return of the live event possible.
Last year, the fireworks were almost exclusively pre-taped with no live crowds, culminating in a bizarre fusillade of pyrotechnics atop the Empire State Building, which the mayor said “wasn’t the same extravaganza that we’re used to.”
“They are bringing back the full-scale fireworks show as we have loved it for decades and decades for all of us to enjoy,” the mayor added. “This is really great, a tremendous sign of the rebirth of New York City.”
De Blasio said Macy’s is “putting together the biggest fireworks display they ever have.”
The mayor on June 1 said the fireworks display would be close to normal and be on five barges in the East River.
Will Coss, the Macy’s July 4 fireworks producer, said Thursday that the company’s fireworks show beginning at 9:25 p.m. will be “jaw-dropping.”
Macy’s will launch more than 65,000 shells from five barges in the East River, in a 25-minute display aired on NBC, he said.
“For more than four decades, Macy’s fireworks have brought joy and celebration to New York City,” he said during the press briefing.
“We are truly humbled to have the opportunity to continue this cherished tradition.”
