Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City are being touted by the New York media as key sights to view the Macy’s July 4 fireworks this year, as for the first time since 2000, the show will take place over the Hudson River rather than the East River. The 26-minute show will begin at 9 p.m. and launch from six barges from 24th to 50th streets. Viewers on both sides of the Hudson should be able to catch it.
However, towns like Bayonne, Jersey City, and Secaucus are also holding their own events on July 4 or 5.
According to a recent press release, the Macy’s show is back “to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage. American River, the theme of the 33rd annual Macy’s Fireworks, will give more than two million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide America’s most spectacular showcase of brilliant colors, jaw dropping effects and thunderous sound.”
As a result of the anticipated traffic, several north-sound roads in the county will be closed. It is anticipated that Boulevard East in Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen will be closed to traffic by 6 p.m. or earlier on July 4. Port Imperial Boulevard and River Road in Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen will be closed to all but emergency vehicles from Baldwin Avenue to the Bergen County border at approximately the same time. Sinatra Drive in Hoboken will also be closed to all traffic other than emergency vehicles.
Other roads in Hudson County may be closed or restricted so as to insure the ability of emergency vehicle to move throughout the County. These road closures will result in extremely heavy traffic conditions on those roads that remain open.
Read on for more details of the events.
Secaucus
Secaucus is definitely planning to have its annual celebration at the municipal pool on the night of July 4, officials said. They will hold a picnic at 6 and start fireworks hours later as the sun goes down, probably around 9. The event is open only to residents.
Jersey City
On the Fourth of July, Jersey City will hold its annual Independence Day festivities, with fireworks, again at Liberty State Park from 2 to 10 p.m.
Radio Disney will broadcast live onsite with music, games, and dance contests. The Cultural Affairs stage will host a free concert at 3 p.m. with performances by Blue Magic, Black Ivory, 3D Jade and DJ Omar.
A 30-minute fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The display will be accompanied by popular and patriotic music.
Bayonne
The city of Bayonne will celebrate the Fourth of July on Sunday, July 5.
A fireworks show will be held on July 5, at approximately 9 p.m., at the 19th Street bulkhead of the DiDomenico 16th Street Park. The Police and Fire Departments will have units present for safety purposes. There will be no ground-level fireworks in the show. The fireworks will be launched behind a baseball backstop, which will act as a buffer. The rain date for the fireworks will be July 6.
Limited parking will be available on the lower level of DiDomenico 16th Street Park. City officials reserve the right to close the lower level of the park to traffic once the parking lots are full. Since parking near the July 5 events is limited, the public is urged to walk or take a bus to the area and to bring along beach chairs.
Also, the DiDomenico Municipal Pool at 16th Street Park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two children’s amusements, Alcatraz and Coliseum, will be available in the lower park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Wooster Street Dixie Band will play patriotic and big band-style music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the amphitheater at DiDomenico 16th Street Park.
The State Fair Meadowlands
The State Fair Meadowlands, held every year at the Giants Stadium Fairgrounds in East Rutherford, will host fireworks on July 3 and 4 around 10 p.m.
Schaefer Pyrotechnics will produce the fireworks for the fair, and has been doing so for 38 years.
The fair hosts 150 rides and attractions, 75 food vendors, for all ages with free entertainment, magic, daredevils, and a petting zoo. The Meadowlands fair is open July 3 and 4 from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under. Admission is free for children under 34 inches tall.
For more information, call (973) 450-1073 or visit www.njfair.com.
Weehawken and Hoboken
With thousands of spectators expected on Weehawken’s waterfront on July 4, town officials are expecting a steep increase in crowd-control expenses. They expect 25,000 people on Boulevard East and the waterfront, based on attendance numbers from 2000.
With extra police, fire, and ambulance personnel, the township expects to spend $50,000 for the one-day event. Mayor Richard Turner said there will be no other Independence Day events in town that day.
“It’s a beautiful thing to watch,” said Mayor Turner. “I’m up on Boulevard East every year with my family. But it creates a tremendous burden on our town, and right now, it’s a burden we can’t afford. We’re going to do whatever it takes to protect the town and people’s property. Hopefully there won’t be as many people as were anticipating.”
The township is posting information on their website (http://www.weehawken-nj.us/) for residents on street closings and other actions taken on the Fourth of July.
A sign recently spotted on River Road said part of the road may be closed that day.
Hoboken will be a central site for viewing the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration over the Hudson River. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected.
Mayor David Roberts said in a recent press release that all available police officers, firefighters, Office of Emergency Management personnel, building inspectors, and other municipal officials will be enforcing all codes and regulations regarding public behavior with a “zero tolerance level” on that day.
This includes, “absolutely no rooftop parties or gatherings for viewings of the firework celebration, unless the said property has met the code standards for such usage,” according to the release.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonrreporter.com.