- The Nation’s Largest Display of Independence Day Firepower Returns to Celebrate America’s Birthday Live fromNew York City
- Macy’s Fireworks will ignite the skyline in Macy’s largest display in more than a decade covering two locations on the East River
NEW YORK, 2016-Jun-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — On Monday, July 4, the nation’s largest patriotic pyrotechnic display will ring, thunder and boom over New York City as the 40th Anniversary Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® come to life. Set over the East River, Macy’s (NYSE:M) annual Independence Day celebration will dazzle millions of spectators with an unparalleled display of color, shapes, light and sound. Beginning at approximately 9:25 p.m., the celebration will illuminate the shores of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with more than 56,000 effects in Macy’s largest pyrotechnic display in more than a decade.
Since 1976, when Macy’s celebrated the nation’s bicentennial with a grand pyrotechnic display at the Statue of Liberty, Macy’s Fireworks have grown to become the nation’s largest Independence Day celebration, annually attracting more than 3 million spectators and tens of millions of viewers nationwide who marvel at the synchronized explosions and soaring musical tributes.
“As the nation’s premiere Independence Day pyrotechnic display, the 40th anniversary of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks promises to celebrate America’s 240th birthday in grand style,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “Bringing friends, family and loved ones together under a blanket of stars, Macy’s Fireworks, always the nation’s largest display, grows even larger, pulling together a grand spectacle with more than 56,000 effects ignited from five firing locations on the water, making this year the biggest Macy’s Fireworks show since our once-in-a lifetime millennial display in 2000.” She added, “From three boroughs along the East River in New York City and in homes across the nation, millions of spectators and television viewers will be dazzled by the incredible high-flying effects, colors and shapes igniting the night – all choreographed to a soaring and patriotic score performed by the United States Air Force Band and the incomparable voice of Jennifer Holliday.”
America’s most breathtaking 4th of July party will take place from two locations on the East River in midtown and within the Seaport District. The midtown portion of the show will be fired from four barges positioned between 23rd and 37th Streets in and from one double-barge positioned below the Brooklyn Bridge.
The 40th edition of the celebration will showcase a 25-minute incredibly synchronized display featuring new shells and effects. From multi-colored transformation ghost shells which ignite in one color, disappear and reappear in another position in the sky having changed hues to blue jellyfish; the ever-popular happy faces with blinking eyes; and a mesmerizing list of effects in 22 different colors including gamboge, lavender and magenta; the show will be a feast for the senses. The 2016 celebration will also feature the New York debut of pyro-writing, an explosive version of skywriting created using fireworks which will spell out U.S.A. in the night sky.
The score, to which the show is choreographed, will feature performances from The United States Air Force Band, who has lent its vocal and instrumental talents to create an inspiring all-American musical tribute. Featuring patriotic classics like “This Land is Your Land,” “God Bless America” and “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the show will ignite patriotism in the hearts of millions. With the United States Air Force Band’s Singing Sergeants lending vocal harmonies, Grammy and Tony-Award winner, Jennifer Holliday, will also perform an exhilarating rendition of the “America the Beautiful,” during a climactic moment in the show.
In addition to the pyro in the sky, this year Macy’s is putting light into the hands of revelers everywhere via a partnership with the Makelight app. A new mobile special effects platform, Makelight has specially designed a program to incorporate audiences into the display. On July 4, spectators will marvel as their phones synch with the awe-inspiring display mirroring the colors seen in the show as they ignite the night. Spectators in New York City and at home can participate by downloading the Makelight app, available free on Google Play and iTunes.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are made possible in part by signature partners Cracker Jack®, Ghostbusters, TheHoward Hughes Corporation, Kool-Aid® and PLANTERS, and are presented in partnership with the City of New York.
Revelers enjoying the show are encouraged to experience the full explosive display by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS to hear the musical score to which the show is choreographed. Spectators lining the shores of the East River will also enjoy an NYPD Helicopter flyover and an FDNY Waterboat show prior to the start of the display. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks can be seen from any unobstructed view of the sky above the East River where the barges are located. Public viewing locations and dedicated entry points will be set up along various streets on F.D.R. Drive and in the Seaport District, as well as various points in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Check macys.com/fireworks for the most up-to-date information including exact points of entry, viewing locations for persons with disabilities and for marine viewing details.
Independence Day spectators from coast-to-coast can catch all the action in the sky by tuning to NBC’s two-hour live national broadcast of “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” beginning at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, with an encore presentation at 10 p.m. (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnic splendor, the 4th of July’s most popular entertainment special will be hosted by “TODAY” show co-hosts Willie Geist and Tamron Hall, and will feature performances from Kenny Chesney, 5 Seconds of Summer, the Radio City Rockettes®, Meghan Trainor, and more.
For more information on the 40th Anniversary Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
Source: Macy’s
Macy’s Media Relations
Orlando Veras, 646-429-7450
Orlando.Veras@macys.com
or
Christine Olver, 646-429-5713
Christine.Olver@macys.com
or
Holly Thomas, 646-429-5250
Holly.Thomas@macys.com
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