New York's July 4 fireworks to move to Hudson River

5/4/09
fireworks
By Jason Fink

New York's July 4 fireworks to move to Hudson River

Photo credit: Urbanite

Crowds watch fireworks over the East River in 2002. AP file photo

By Jason Fink and Marlene Naanes

The city’s July 4 fireworks display will be shifted to the Hudson River this year, angering some New Yorkers who have come to expect the show over the East River.

“It’s unfair,” said Johnny Scott, 51, an Army veteran who lives in Long Island City. “The West Side Highway, it’s crowded and congested. They should put it in a central spot where everyone could see it.”

Macy’s, which sponsors the fireworks, will have six barges in the Hudson, from 24th to 50th Street.The annual pyrotechnics, which have been launched from the East River almost every year since 1983, were moved to honor Henry Hudson. This year marks the 400th anniversary of Hudson’s exploration of the waterway that now bears his name.

The 26-minute show, starting at 9 p.m. on July 4, will feature some 40,000 shells, and viewing areas will be set up along the West Side Highway, Orlando Veras, a Macy’s spokesman, said yesterday.

Tony Raouf, who owns the Riverview restaurant on Long Island City, said the fireworks had been a boon to his business.

“It’s a big day for all of the neighborhood,” he said. “We wait for that day. It’s like New Years Eve.”

Of course, residents of the Upper West Side, who will now have a front row seat to the show, embraced the shift.

“That would be swell,” said Claudia Gowling, 58. “I usually go up on the roof and watch the fireworks in New Jersey but this will be better.”

Melinda Hsia contributed to this story.
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New York's July 4 fireworks to move to Hudson River

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