Macy’s July 4th fireworks will not be visible from Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park this year

North Brooklyn Is the Only Viewing Site

June 22, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The 43rd Annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks will be returning to the East River this year. AP Photo by Mark Lennihan

The Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks. AP Photo by Mark Lennihan

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With sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is notorious for being one of the most sought-out locations to view the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show.

In past years, Brooklynites and tourists alike have camped out all day to lay claim to one of the many benches that line the scenic overlook.

The nation’s largest pyrotechnic display will once again be returning to the East River this year, but much to the disdain of Brooklynites, it will only be viewable from one section of the borough.

Macy’s is calling its 41st annual show the “largest display” in more than a decade with more than 60,000 shells “igniting the skyline,” but Brooklynites can only enjoy the show from Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

This year’s display will feature 4,000 more firework shells than last year.

In previous years, Macy’s has set up two locations: one double barge positioned below the Brooklyn Bridge and another series of boats in Midtown.

Macy’s announced in April 2014 that its fireworks show would be moving to the East River for “creative reasons” after five years on the Hudson River.

This year will only feature one fleet of barges in Midtown. The five barges will be positioned on the East River between East 24th and East 41st streets.

The 25-minute pyrotechnic show, which attracts roughly 3 million spectators each year, will start at approximately 9:25 p.m. and will feature a musical score from the West Point Band.

The group will play arrangements of American classics like “Yankee Doodle,” “America the Beautiful” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.

The musical score will be broadcast live on 1010 WINS and the fireworks display will be televised on NBC.

The night will feature musical performances by Brad Paisley, Hailee Steinfeld, Lady Antebellum, Akbar Gbajabiamila and Matt Iseman.

“Macy’s fireworks have been launched from various waterways, neighborhoods and locations in New York City annually since 1976 and will continue to bring joy to millions of New Yorkers, visitors from around the world and the nation this year,” said Macy’s Director of National Media Relations Orlando Veras.

“Many factors contribute to the choice of location including show design, size and scale of the pyrotechnics used, safety requirements, accessible public viewing locations and available city resources; to name a few. These elements change from year to year. However, what is consistent is Macy’s goal of entertaining millions of spectators who will gather to watch the show live on Independence Day.”

Gary Souza from Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will once again be at the helm of the performance, and he promises to bring in some new explosive effects.

New shells this year include color-changing chrysanthemums, purple crackling ghost peonies, orange bees and pulsing happy faces in 23 different colors including fuchsia, lemon and aqua.

Macy’s goes so far as to say that Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP), which hosted several viewing parties last year, is not a suggested location to watch the display due to its obstructed views.

But fear not, Brooklynites. The Fourth Annual Jersey City Freedom and Fireworks Festival at Liberty State Park in N.J. will be visible from the Promenade and BBP.