Sparks are going to fly on the East River once again.
After five years of holding its annual July 4 fireworks display on barges along the distant Hudson River, Macy’s is restoring the light show to its longtime home in Brooklyn’s front yard, Mayor DeBlasio announced today.
“We’re grateful to Macy’s for lighting our skyline every Fourth of July — and I’m thrilled that, after years of working with Macy’s and my colleagues to make this a reality, the fireworks will return to the East River this year,” DeBlasio said, pointing out that New Jersey residents will no longer bask in the glow of the retail giant’s largesse. “Now even more New Yorkers will get to take part in this extraordinary celebration, against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, the harbor, and our skyline.”
The succession of dark nights on the United States’ birthday saddened Brooklynites and borough pols, who called on the city and the Big Cotton vendor to return the razzle-dazzle to its rightful place on the East River.
This year’s spectacle will include fireworks launched from the Brooklyn Bridge, according to Macy’s.
The pyrotechnic barges will be positioned along the river from below the Manhattan Bridge to alongside Brooklyn Bridge Park, organizers said.
The announcement was so momentous that it drew an appearance from former Borough President Marty Markowitz, who, newly employed as vice outer-borough tourism czar for the city, joined current Beep Eric Adams around the podium on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
As for New Jersey, the state across the harbor is going to have to find its own flashy, big-spending benefactor, state Sen. Daniel Squadron (D–Brooklyn Heights) said.
“The big loser today is New Jersey,” Squadron said. “And I want to say to New Jersey, ‘we hope you have a wonderful July 4.’ ”
— with Matthew Perlman
