Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
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Fireworks
Jul 04, 2010
9:00pm
FREE
Official Site
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® return to the Hudson River for another year of thrilling effects and thunderous sound in celebration of American independence. The nation’s largest display of pyrotechnic firepower will illuminate the sky over New York City with a glorious spectrum of colors, shapes and sparkling dazzlers taking the display to new heights. On Sunday, July 4th at approximately 9:20 p.m., the 34th annual showstopping display will create a rumble to remember featuring more than 40,000 shells in a 26-minute jaw-dropping spectacle. American Harmony, the theme of this year’s Macy’s Fireworks display will take more than 3 million spectators on a high flying journey through the nation’s musical history, one that is filled with unique harmonies embraced by the entire world.
“Building on last year’s success, Macy’s will again present its 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on the Hudson River,” said Robin Hall, executive producer of the annual event. “Millions of people along the riverfront and millions more watching the primetime special, which this year will be staged aboard the magnificent new Norwegian EPIC, will see a show a mile and a half long and hundreds of feet in the sky saturated with an unexpected spectrum of rich, jewel-like colors.” He added, “There will be huge shells with cores of color that sparkle and astonish. We’ll transform the sky into a tapestry of rich colors produced though an alchemy of ancient art and modern technology; colors that are somehow intensified by the soaring vocal-infused Fireworks score.”
The patriotic revelry will feature a high-flying sequence of multi-color shells exploding in majestic shapes at a rate of more than 1,500 a minute. Designed in collaboration with SOUSA Fireworks and fired from six barges positioned on the Hudson River, the display will cover more than a mile of the skyline with the barges positioned end-to-end from 24th to 50th streets. This year, Macy’s has increased the amount of shells that can reach heights of 1,000 feet in the sky providing for greater visibility of the show for millions more spectators. Visible from the West Side Highway and any point in New York City and its neighbors with a view of the sky over the Hudson River in midtown, the show will thrill millions with its soaring pyrotechnic splendor.
American Harmony, the theme of this year’s spectacular, will celebrate the nation’s unique musical voice with a rousing patriotic score featuring vocal harmony in styles uniquely American. From a capella and gospel to barbershop quartet and choral ensembles, the show will be choreographed to a dazzling range of vocal acrobatics. The score, which serves as the inspiration and musical blueprint for the explosive action, will feature performances from The New York Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Steven Reineke, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In addition, some of America’s top vocal groups will perform unique versions of classic patriotic tunes including Atlantic Recording artists Straight No Chaser, Broadway Inspirational Voices, U.S. Army Soldier’s Chorus, and United We Sing. The vocal reinventions include a gospel rendition of “God Bless America,” a new vocal and orchestral version of “Stars & Stripes Forever” and a truly uplifting medley of each anthem representing the United States Armed Forces. Macy’s Fireworks are precisely timed to the musical score which spectators can hear live by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS.
Designed to mirror the arcs and platitudes of the vocal harmonies, the show will feature a multitude of cascading effects, lingering flashes of color and an expansion of multi-colored shells to support the red, white and blue patriotic palette. From the new brightly hued rings and loop shells to the blue jellyfish-shaped dazzlers, the night sky will be brought to life in a menagerie of vivid colors.
The highlight of any Macy’s Fireworks show is the famed “Golden Mile.” This year, this awe-inspiring effect which features a massive shower of golden sparks cascading down to the water’s edge from 1,000 feet in the air and stretching for a mile across the river will be enhanced with several additional “miles”. New mile-long showers of sparkling red and green will join the traditional gold. Returning to surprise spectators in different hues (purple and green) this year are the Ghost shells - the mysterious pyrotechnics that appear out of thin air in one color, then reappear in another.
The explosive action on the Hudson is only a portion of the dazzling entertainment Macy’s has planned for spectators. Independence Day revelers can enjoy the spectacle from the comforts of home via the national broadcast of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC-TV. The telecast will beam live from Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and largest vessel, Norwegian Epic, which will serve as the spectacular venue for the patriotic celebration. The one-hour special beginning at 9 p.m. (check local listings) will feature performances from teen phenom, Justin Bieber, among others.
For the best live view of the show, spectators are encouraged to stake a spot starting at approximately 4 p.m. along the West Side Highway from 24th to 57th Streets. Revelers situated along this public viewing area will enjoy front row sights of the show and a special FDNY Fireboat Water Show featuring New York’s bravest sailing two Marine Division fireboats spraying red, clear and blue water arcs up 300 feet in the air in a patriotic salute to America’s independence. Macy’s and the NYPD kindly request that spectators refrain from bringing large bags/containers, as all will be subject to security checks.
The action may be over the river, but a lucky New York design student is playing a special part in the celebration as his original artwork graces the promotion materials for the iconic event. For the first time in history a student graphic artist was given the opportunity to design the creative elements for one of Macy’s world-famous events. The Macy’s Fireworks Poster Design contest was held earlier this year and entrants from three of New York’s top arts-based schools of higher education were selected to participate. The senior illustrator or graphic design students were asked to create an original piece that would be used to promote the event. The winner, Garrett Pruter from Parsons The New School for Design, created a geometric patterned masterpiece that now graces the nationwide advertising campaign. In addition to seeing his creation on billboards, newspapers and magazines, Garrett won a $10,000 cash prize and VIP tickets to the show.
The 34th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks is sponsored in part by Jeep®, Levi’s®, and Norwegian Cruise Line, and is presented in partnership with The City of New York.
Viewing information and other spectator tips are available online at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
About Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks is the nation’s largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, CA, Macy’s Fireworks is a 26-minute digitally synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing patriotic score. Yearly fired from various locations across New York City, Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 3 million spectators and more than 8 million viewers nationwide, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks have become the nation’s premiere 4th of July celebration event.
Viewing information and other spectator tips are available at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
Author: Macy's
Lower Manhattan
Manhattan
Financial District
East River to Hudson River
New York, NY 10006
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