Liberty State Park celebrated its 28th year of existence on June 14, and will be the site of other happenings during this summer. There will be the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks, the grand opening of part of the Statue of Liberty, a summer music series and other programs for all ages.
Fourth of July
For those who have visited the park on July 4 over the years, the fireworks set off over the East River in Manhattan is a part of the show Macy’s Department Store has put on annually since 1976. Starting at 9:20 p.m. this July 4, Macy’s, in partnership with the city of Jersey City and the Star-Ledger newspaper, will present the fireworks display over the Hudson River, which will come from a barge located off Liberty State Park Before the fireworks begin, there will be an exhibition of United States Air Force F-10 Fighter Jets flying over the park.
At a press conference on June 25 to announce the fireworks presentation, acting Mayor L. Harvey Smith said that the park was the best location for the fireworks display. “What better place to watch the fireworks than Jersey City, where you can see not only Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but also the beautiful Manhattan skyline as well,” said Smith.
Elina Kazan, spokeswoman for Macy’s, said last week the reason Macy’s is presenting this year’s fireworks display show in collaboration with Jersey City and the Star-Ledger is that it “made sense with the reopening of the Statue of Liberty taking place later in July.”
Attendees are encouraged to come to the park as early as possible and go to the Green Park, accessible via Freedom Way get a clear view of the fireworks. Also, attendees are encouraged to use public transportation, specifically the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, to the Liberty State Park and Ride, and then the NJ Transit shuttle bus at the park and ride that operates on a twenty-minute schedule. Also, the Number 11 Bus leaves from Journal Square and stops at the park and ride.
Reopening of the Statue of Liberty The most significant event for the park’s visitors will come later in July with the reopening of the Statue of Liberty. The statue had been closed since Sept. 11, 2001 for security reasons and necessary repairs.
During the past three years, $7 million raised by the non-profit Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation was used for security improvements and other upgrades to the statue.
On the web site, www.statueofliberty.org, some of the improvements are listed, including “upgrading fire and emergency notification systems, creating additional exits from the Statue’s base and enhancing visitor safety measures throughout the statue.” Specifically, the upgrades reported in the media include building and refurbishing stairways, installing sprinklers, overhauling fire-detection and alarm systems and removing combustible materials.
And as reported on the Voice of America web site on June 15, the employees of the National Park Service that run the operation of the statue are receiving training to protect the statue in any crisis situation, such as search-and-rescue operations and first aid techniques.
The reopening was scheduled for July 4 but instead was pushed back to late July and early August. However, only the six-story pedestal at the base of the statue will be open to the public. Visitors will be allowed to climb to the observation deck at the top of the pedestal.
Brian Feeney, spokesman for the National Park Service said last week that visitors can see the original torch in the lobby of the pedestal, and a glass ceiling was built into the pedestal to allow visitors to view the construction going on inside the statue.
Also, there would be an announcement in two weeks about the official opening date, which is dictated by the construction schedule.
Visitors can travel from Liberty State Park to the statue by taking the ferry that leaves from the area near the CRRNJ Terminal.
The sounds of liberty
During the summer, there will not just be fireworks but music in the air as the Summerfest Music Series will take place at the park on Sundays at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting July 11 and ending Aug. 31. Kicking off the series will be the Dixieland Experience on July 11 at 6 p.m.
Here is a list of the other performers participating in the series:
July 13 – Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians
July 18 – Harlem Renaissance Orchestra
July 20 – Eddie Hazel Quartet
July 25 – Big Band Swing Machine
July 27 – Richard Reiter Afro Jazz Project
Aug. 1 – Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra
Aug. 8 – Bobby Blue & Company
Aug. 15 – Don Carter Jazz Emsemble
Aug. 17 – Dapper Dans of Harmony
Aug. 22 – Oklahoma Wranglers
Aug. 24 – Spirit of Life Ensemble
Aug. 29 – Chops Feat. Ambrosia
Aug. 31 – Garden State Concert Band
Other happenings
The following programs will run at the park’s Interpretative Center. Admission is free and pre-registration is required.
Summer Shorebird Walks – July 10 and July 25, Aug. 14 and Aug. 22, and Sept. 18: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Explore the Estuary – July 17, Aug. 7 and Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nature Cinema and Craft – July 18, Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The following programs will run at the CRRNJ Terminal free of charge:
CRRNJ Terminal Summer History Series – Weekends starting July 9 through Sept. 5 at 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
CRRNJ Terminal Walking Tours – Daily, from May 21 through Oct. 31, at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.