The Fourth of July is near, and that usually means one thing — fireworks.
Forgo the typical mass of humanity in that other city west of Brooklyn; this holiday, there’s not one, but two, big fireworks displays right here, plus some great views to boot, so you won’t miss any of the explosive action.
Wonder-ful display
Kicking off the holiday weekend, Coney Island’s weekly Friday night fireworks light up the Boardwalk on July 2. Shot right off the beach, the bombs burst directly overhead, dazzling beach-front revelers. Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone Roller Coaster and the Brooklyn Cyclones are some of the sponsors who make this festive tradition possible.
Coney Island Boardwalk Fireworks (between W. 10th and W. 12th streets, no phone), July 2 at 9:30 pm. Free.
Outfield fireworks
The Brooklyn Cyclones offer fans a chance to pre-game the holiday on July 3 with fireworks display plus a BBQ tool set giveaway so you can grill in style this Fourth. Pepsi outfits the first 2,500 fans in attendance with free grilling paraphernalia before the Cyclones beat the despised Staten Island Yankees. The team celebrates Independence Day with post-game fireworks shot from the outfield. Sounds like a homerun.
Independence Day Celebration at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449-8497], July 3, game starts at 6 pm. For info, visit www.brooklyncyclones.com.
Waterfront light show
Although the Hudson River once again plays host to the Fourth of July Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular, you can still enjoy the patriotic pyrotechnics from numerous waterfront parks, as the shells will reach heights of up to 1,000 feet, creating more than a mile of dazzling fiery joy visible from the Brooklyn shore.
North Brooklyn parks like East River State Park, Grand Ferry Park and the lesser-known Transmitter Park in Greenpoint offer the clearest views of the fireworks, set off between W. 24th and W. 50th street across the river. Financial district skyscrapers partially obscure the view from Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the new Brooklyn Bridge Park, but southern Brooklynites can flock to the 69th Street Pier in Gravesend for a straight peep up the river.
The 26-minute show starts at 9:20 pm, so pack some watermelon, head over to watch the sunset, and make a night of it.
East River State Park (90 Kent Ave. between N. 13th and N. 14th streets in Williamsburg, no phone); Grand Ferry Park (Grand Street at River Street in Williamsburg, no phone); Transmitter Park (Greenpoint Avenue at West Street in Greenpoint, no phone); 69th Street Veterans Memorial Pier (Shore Road at Bay Ridge Avenue in Gravesend, no phone).
