Thursday's parting shot

This morning on Avenue A and Fourth Street ... happy 4th.

The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks returning to the Hudson River for some reason

2013 photo of the fireworks on the West Side as seen from the East Village 

For the first time since 2013, you'll have to awkwardly rekindle that friendship this summer with those people you really don't like who live on the west side and have a rooftop view of the Hudson River. 

Per our friends at West Side Rag: 

Macy's, along with officials from the city and New Jersey, announced Tuesday the fireworks display would be taking place over the Hudson in 2024, with "thousands of shells and an array of effects from barges position along the Hudson River with multiple viewing opportunities in Manhattan between West 14th and West 34th Streets and in New Jersey."

While the fireworks won’t be ignited on the Upper West Side, it means that any spot along the Hudson River within Riverside South and Riverside Park, or a properly positioned neighborhood roof you might be able to get on, will provide locals with a great view of the display. 

The July 4th fireworks show typically takes place over the East River, the correct river for this, but in 2009, the display shifted to the Hudson River for a special celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the region, and it stayed there for four long years. (It also seemed like overkill: Henry Hudson already has a parkway and a double-deck steel arch toll bridge named after him. Fireworks too, now?)

Anyway, here's a view of the fireworks in 2011 from the East Village looking to the west ...

Monday's opening shots

July 5 from Tompkins Square Park...

July 4 flashback

A few photos from last evening showing the 43rd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® launch ... pics via the vantage Bobby Williams had last evening near Avenue C...

A July 4 moment at Gem Spa

Photo from Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place today by Derek Berg...

Why you may not be able to see the July 4 fireworks from the usual places this year

[2018 6th Street rooftop view of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks]

In case you are planning to watch the 4th of July Fireworks tomorrow (July 4!) ... you're likely not going to have that view as in did in recent years from your neighbor's roof on Sixth Street (or wherever you may have had roof access...)

This year, Macy's has moved the barges to below the Brooklyn Bridge, which is the star of the show...



So...



Last year, the barges were placed on the river between 23rd Street and 40th Street ... Flashback!


[2018]

This year, the northernmost point that Macy's suggests on its Where-to-Watch map is Montgomery Street and Cherry Street.

And via the Macy's press release...

Since 1976, Macy’s Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry as they burst to life over many of New York City’s waterways and neighborhoods. Incorporating landmarks and celebratory milestones is a Macy’s Fireworks signature. Macy’s last showcased the Brooklyn Bridge when its structure served as the launchpad for key moments in the 2014 show.

This year’s presentation will add three times more pyrotechnic firepower as Macy’s creative team expands the design to include more dazzling and intricate effects firing from locations spanning the entire bridge. On Independence Day, millions of spectators will enjoy jaw-dropping effects launching from more than a dozen points off the famed Brooklyn landmark throughout the 25-minute display.

The fireworks start at 9:20 p.m. And for some reason if you're going to be driving around, here are street closures via NBC 4.

July 4

Spotted on Seventh Street by Dave on 7th, who writes: "Time to declare your independence from the tree you bought for Xmas."

Hey, it's almost the Fourth of July

[Pic from 2015]

Once again, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks will launch from the East River... tomorrow night.

Here are some basics via the official Macy's News Release:

The 42nd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® will feature more than two miles of prime viewing along the shores of the East River. Macy’s annual Independence Day celebration will offer front row views for more than three million spectators in New York City and another 12 million viewers nationwide. The show, beginning at approximately 9:25 p.m. will ignite the sky over the East River centered in midtown with a series of more than 75,000 shells and effects.

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks can be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River. The seven barges stationed between East 23rd and East 40th Streets are best seen from:

MANHATTAN

Public viewing will be set up along elevated portions of the F.D.R. Drive. The lanes will be opened to the public at approximately 7 PM with access at Houston, 23rd, 34th, and 42nd.

As Curbed noted in its July 4 preview, those 75,000 shells are up from a paltry 60,000 from last year. (Like comparing "Geostorm" to "Independence Day.")

Here's a map to give you a better idea of the barge location for optimal viewing...


[Map via Macy's and EV Arrow]

And if you're just going to be randomly driving around, there are some street closures to be aware of:

• East Houston Street between Baruch Place and FDR Drive
• Avenue C between 13th Street and Avenue C Entrance Ramp to FDR
• Avenue C Entrance Ramps
• 6th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 10th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 14th Street between Avenue C and Avenue B
• Avenue C between East 16th Street and East 23rd Street

And the always friendly reminder from the 9th Precinct...

As we enter into the last weekend before the #FourthofJuly we want to remind you that #fireworks are not only dangerous but illegal.
Leave them to @Macys and the professionals.
Be safe and have fun! #EastVillage #NYC pic.twitter.com/4CtucFabIP

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) June 29, 2018

Among other things, this could happen...



Headline H/T

ICYMI, July 4 holiday edition

[Stress of getting to the BBQ on time when you have the grill]

In case you were away or not online much during this long holiday break... a look at some EVG posts from Friday night on...

Christo needs a larger bird bath (Tuesday)

Body found in the East River north of the Williamsburg Bridge (Tuesday)

Details on the "New York in the 70s" series starting this week at the Film Forum (Monday)

Reader report: Rooftop fire on 12th Street (Monday)

Cab strikes and kills 87-year-old man on Cooper Square (Monday)

There was a street fair (Sunday)

Why it would be a bad idea to take this discarded carpet on Second Avenue (Sunday)

Fake severed head discovered in Tompkins Square Park (Sunday)

Your July 1 rainbow action (Saturday)

"Sesame Street" filmed on Sixth Street, starring Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird (Saturday)

The Tompkins Square Park sinkhole remains in sinking form (Saturday)

The Victor Gallery closes on Third Street (Saturday)

Gigi wants to know where the Yasso S’mores frozen Greek yogurt bars are at Key (Friday)

... and yesterday, Derek Berg spotted this pretty rare 1965 Ford Cobra on Seventh Street at First Avenue ... which attracted some attention...

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day and street closures

[Screengrab via Macy's]

Last week, Macy's reportedly changed the location of the barges for tonight's fireworks... something to keep in mind in case you had plans for watching from, say, the South Street Seaport or Brooklyn Heights. You won't have a view like you did last July 4. The five barges will be located in the East River between 24th Street and 41st Street.

This map via Macy's has a rundown of viewing spots.

The fireworks will also impact driving/parking around here. Gothamist has a full list of closures, including:

• East Houston Street between Baruch Place and FDR Drive
• Avenue C between 13th Street and Avenue C Entrance Ramp to FDR
• Avenue C Entrance Ramps
• East 6th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• East 10th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 14th Street between Avenue C and Avenue B

These roadways will be closed roughly from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. The fireworks are from 9:20 to 9:50 p.m. And you still have time to memorize President Whitmore's "Independence Day" speech.

East River hosting July 4 fireworks again; prepare thee for 'never-before-seen shells and effects'

For the third consecutive year, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks will launch from the East River. [Insert west side taunt here.]

Anyway, here are all the glory details via the official news release released Monday announcing the 2017 edition...

A pyrotechnic anthem for the ages will ignite New York City’s famed skyline on Tuesday, July 4, as the 41st Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® launch an unrivaled barrage of color, shape, light and sound to celebrate Independence Day.

The nation’s largest pyrotechnic display will come to life over the East River, captivating more than 3 million spectators lining the shorelines, waterways, streets and rooftops of the Big Apple and millions more on television coast-to-coast as together they marvel at the nation’s largest and most exciting party.

Beginning at approximately 9:25 p.m., the first shells will launch the celebration along the shores of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with more than 60,000 effects rumbling toward the grand finale.

The 41st edition of the festivities will showcase a 25-minute display featuring never-before-seen shells and effects. Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics that will feature multiple new shells including color changing chrysanthemums, purple crackling ghost peonies, orange bees, and pulsing happy faces in 23 electrifying colors including fuchsia, lemon and aqua.

An all-American modeling moment

EVG reader Tyler spotted this friendly note with nice penmanship on a front door along East Fifth Street... anyone else want to see these photos?

Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

[Photo on East 3rd Street from last night]

As you know the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are on the East River this year/tonight...

Here are some articles with the rundown on places to watch the fireworks, street closures, etc., at Gothamist ... Curbed ... DNAinfo ... The Village Voice

And there are parking restrictions...

Be mindful of Parking Restrictions for the 4TH, No Parking both sides of E 14 from 1 Ave to Ave C, Sun & Mon #NYPD pic.twitter.com/l5SI7lr4aJ

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) July 2, 2016

...and the 9th Precinct offers this...

Wishing everyone a safe #July4th weekend including all our furry friends. #NYPD @NYPDPaws pic.twitter.com/e7UXfnysGS

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) July 2, 2016

Lastly, a reminder not to have any breath-holding contents.

Otherwise, enjoy, be safe ...

Independence Day: Resurgence. Fireworks will return to the East River.

[2015]

Just in case you missed this from Friday afternoon... the city announced that the Macy's 4th of July fireworks will be back on the East River this, uh, July 4th.

A few particulars via DNAinfo's report:

The show — which will start at 9:25 p.m. on July 4 — will once again be shot off from four barges on the water located between 23rd and 37th streets in Midtown and another below the Brooklyn Bridge near South Street Seaport, officials said.

And!

This is the 40th year for the annual holiday show, which will last 25 minutes and feature more than 52,000 shells, according to organizers.

And now... relieve last year's fireworks via this drone footage...

Two choices. Without music...



...or with musical accompaniment …

Relive the July 4 fireworks with this East Village drone footage

In case you missed the fireworks last night… or want to relive them… here's some drone footage… it doesn't have any sound, so you may want to pick whatever you think might make some good accompaniment …



Updated 7-6

Here is more East Village drone footage from another source… this video has some musical accompaniment …

Last night

[Photo by James and Karla Murray via Facebook]

You will not need to rekindle friendships with people on the West Side this July 4

[Random 3rd Avenue jukebox photo — maybe Paddy Maguire's?]

The East River will play host to the city's Fourth of July fireworks for the second consecutive year.

Per The Wall Street Journal:

The show, sponsored by Macy’s Inc., will feature fireworks from two additional barges and is moving farther north along the river to give Queens residents a better view. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had long sought to return the display to the East River, saying it could be seen by more New Yorkers.

Last year, Mr. de Blasio moved the Independence Day celebration back to the East River after it had been displayed over the Hudson River since 2009.

The fireworks will launch from one double-wide barge south of the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges between 23rd and 37th Streets. The 25-minute show is scheduled to begin at about 9:20 p.m. on July 4 and fire 40,000 pyrotechnic shells into the sky.

The Fourth of July is held this year on July 4.

A July 4 holiday weekend

[A July 4-related photo shoot for Dragon Fly Productions at Professor Thom's via Gregory Patrick]

It was a mostly fine weekend hereabouts, patriotic or otherwise.


[On the Bowery]

It was quiet.


[First Avenue]

Except for the fireworks, the official ones … and the illegal ones.

One of the hawks joined a rooftop fireworks viewing party on East Eighth Street.


[Photo by EVG reader Mike]

We don't really have much to show for the weekend.

We took a photo of a mannequin in the trash. We saw the Moon. And Mars, just barely.

We read the Fourth Amendment that someone took the time to write on the plywood on the East 11th Street side where Mary Help of Christians used to be. (Someone also wrote the First Amendment out too.)



We did not sit here, however tempting, on East 13th Street.



We unnecessary used the "noir" setting to take photos of the sky from Avenue C way back on Thursday



We wondered if the quinoa made the move safely to Avenue B.



We set a spring trap for our neighbors.



We wondered about this photo of a Citi Bike in the trash on East Houston at Norfolk that a reader emailed us.



There was probably more. But we'll leave you with the Chillmaster taking you into the night …

The fireworks of the East Village from July 4

James and Karla Murray shared a few photos of the unofficial July 4 firework displays around the East Village from last night… (seemed better than the real thing at times!)





And can we still get in on that $1,000 reward?

Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

Photos this evening via Bobby Williams ...



[Headline H/T President Whitmore]