Macy's fireworks display 'spectacular' from Hudson County side

Monday, July 05, 2010
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered on the Hudson County waterfront last night to view the spectacular Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display along the Hudson River.

Spectators of all ages crammed into Frank Sinatra Park and strained to see the fireworks through the trees. Others watched from Weehawken and still others took in the sight from the Palisades.

Macy's unleashed rocket after rocket from six barges directly across from Weehawken and the northern end of Hoboken, with expanding giant orbs of green, blue and red bursting over the Hudson River.

Some left golden trails while others left behind colored points of light. A string of boats across the Hudson were silhouetted by explosion after explosion, at times looking like a battle scene bathed in red.

Meanwhile, vendors in white tents sold crab cakes and other festival fare.

Ending as it began with a flurry of red, white and blue, the crowd erupted with cheers, claps and whistles. The half-hour display drew words like "fantastic," "spectacular" and awesome from spectators.

Amrish Kathiari, 77, of Garden Street in Hoboken had much of his view obscured by the crowds, but he was not worried. He was recording it from television at home to watch when he got home, he said.

Liz Rojas, from San Antonio, Texas, who came with friends she is visiting in New York, said the pyrotechnics lived up to her expectations.

"They were awesome," Rojas said.

Amena Kadiehai, 21, from Raleigh, N.C., who was visiting friends in Hoboken and New York, described the fireworks as "amazing."

"It's really different and bigger," she said.

Linda Edenfield, from East Windsor, who last saw the Macy's fireworks with her husband, Guy, 20 years ago, said they were the "best fireworks we've seen."

They should make private organizations pay for the parades. For example, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in NYC actually is the org responsible for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC. Of course, the city has to pay for all those cops

were those signs up today? because as I was leaving the park this afternoon via the Jersey Avenue pathway, there was a long line of cars entering the park on Audrey Zapp. I couldn't help but think that there was going to be a large crowd of disappointed fireworks fans in LSP tonight.

I was running in LSP today and saw one of those electric signs that there will be no Fireworks or viewing of the NYC fireworks. I am guessing they are just going to close the park.

It would be interesting to see how much the parades cost vs. the fireworks. The crowds for the 4th fireworks seem a lot less rowdy then the parade crowds. Doesn't seem like they would need as much police presence.

The 4th of July is an AMERICAN HOLIDAY. If the mayor wants to save money cancel all the ethnic festivals and parades the city has. Keep the American fireworks.

So does anyone know if the "Liberty State Park" fireworks are the same as the "Jersey City" fireworks?

So wait, can you actually still see the NY fireworks from Liberty? No right cause they are all the way at the Seaport... correct me if im wrong...probablly by the waterfront right?

They gotta make sure there's enough cash to cover the 3 days of mayhem that is the PR Parade & "Festival".

They are cancelling because the biggest cost is overtime for police. Probably in the area of $250,000.

They are cancelling it because Macy's is going to have a bigger and better show right in front of Jersey City. Don't give me this BS about trying to save money. Do these idiots really believe that we are dumb enough to believe this crock of Sh!t?

Jersey City says savings from canceling July 4 fireworks display will ensure funding for other summer events

Friday, June 04, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City will realize a savings of $138,000 by eliminating its Fourth of July fireworks show this year, city officials said yesterday.

The total cost to put on the event is $238,000, but the city plans to spend $100,000 on other summer events around the city, officials said.


Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said scrapping the event at Liberty State Park will keep several other summer entertainment events running despite tough economic times.

"While we are disappointed that we have to cancel our well-attended annual Fourth of July celebration, it only made sense during this difficult economic time to spread the funding out across several events in different parts of the city," Healy said in a statement.

Although Jersey City has canceled its fireworks, Macy's announced it will shoot off its Fourth of July fireworks spectacular from the Hudson River this year.

Healy said he hopes to revive the city event.

"If the economy improves, we hope to be able to resume the fireworks next year at Liberty State Park, what we consider to be the greatest venue for an Independence Day celebration," he said.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said the cost of putting on the fireworks show to the city is $238,000 - $138,000 for police, fire, public works and emergency management workers; and $100,000 for the fireworks, performers, and other necessities, such as the stage and portable toilets.

She said $100,000 of the savings will be put into other summer events.

"Families are canceling their summer vacations," Morrill said. "The mayor wanted to make sure there was something for them to do throughout the summer."

In his statement, Healy said the savings from the fireworks show would be used to put on about 20 concerts and cultural events.