Communities Across Tri-State Ready For Fourth Of July Celebrations
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Communities across the Tri-State area are getting ready for July Fourth festivities, but the threat of wet weather has forced some to alter their plans.
The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on Friday night returns to the East River this year after spending the past five years on the Hudson. It promises to be 25 minutes of electrifying and breathless bangs and booms with roughly 50,000 pounds of explosions.
The theme for this year's show is the 200th anniversary of the "Star-Spangled Banner," but the star of the show will be the Brooklyn Bridge.
Mayor Discusses Jersey City Fireworks Show
Fireworks will fly from three barges between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and even the Brooklyn Bridge itself.
"Putting all the pyrotechnics on the bridge from tower to tower enables us to create a really incredible show," Amy Kule, the show's executive producer, told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.
Among the best places to see the fireworks is the promenade in Brooklyn Heights. In Manhattan, the South Street Seaport area is prime viewing. Just like in previous years, part of FDR Drive will be shut down for spectators in Manhattan.
EXTRA: Where To Watch The Macy's Fireworks Spectacular | Tri-State Area Fireworks Guide
But Kule said there are plenty of good spots to see the show.
"Any view of the Brooklyn Bridge or any place in lower Manhattan is probably the best place to be," she said.
The fireworks begin at approximately 9:20 p.m. and about 2 million spectators attend every year. The show will also be broadcast live on 1010 WINS, the official radio station of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.
Across the Hudson River in Jersey City, another spectacular show is planned, CBS 2's Don Champion reported. The world famous Grucci Brothers will be putting on a massive 20-minute show at Liberty State Park.
Crews took CBS 2 behind the scenes as they set up giant mortars in preparation.
"The fireworks themselves are loaded into each individual mortar and wired to the computer system," Joseph Mercante, Fireworks by Grucci producer, told CBS 2's Champion. "We transmit a signal so that each of the computers receives a signal in time to the millisecond.
"It really is an art form."
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said the city was expecting about 100,000 people before the weather took a bad turn.
"Obviously the rain during the day will have some impact, but as it progresses in the concerts and the festivals in the afternoon, I think -- God willing -- we're going to be OK," Fulop told reporters, including WCBS 880's Levon Putney.
In Westchester, Rye Playland will host a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.
On Long Island, there are several choices, including fireworks shows in Long Beach on the beach between Long Beach Boulevard and Riverside Boulevard.
With the threat of wet weather looming, two southern New Jersey communities are among many that have postponed their July Fourth fireworks displays.
Atlantic City's fireworks spectacular will take place Sunday at 9:30 p.m. instead of Friday. The city said the effects of Hurricane Arthur could create a safety issue.
Ocean City also moved its fireworks from Friday to Sunday.
In New City, the Town of Clarkson canceled its fireworks for Thursday night, which have been rescheduled for next Wednesday.
Check out our Tri-State Area Fireworks Guide For Fourth Of July for a list of shows, including more information on postponements.
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