NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, July 4th, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will rumble to life over New York City skies in the 39th annual celebration – Brave. Set over the East River, the nation’s largest Independence Day pyrotechnic display will extend to two locations this year. Beginning at approximately 9:20 p.m., the celebration will dazzle the shorelines of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with an unparalleled spectacle of color, light and sound commemorating the holiday and our nation’s heroes.
“This year's Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will be an amazing spectacle featuring more than 50,000 effects spread over two locations in the nation's largest Independence Day celebration," said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “Setting the patriotic tone for the high flying explosions will be a magnificent score featuring the U.S. Air Force Band and renowned artists Emilio and Gloria Estefan, debuting their inspiring original song, ‘America’.”
America’s most spectacular party will take place from two locations on the East River in midtown and within the South Street Seaport district. Designed in collaboration with PyroSpectaculars by Souza, the show will be fired from four barges positioned between 23rd and 37th Streets in midtown and from one double-barge positioned below the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brave, the theme of this year’s show, will fire more than 50,000 pyrotechnic shells and effects during a 25-minute synchronized display. New shells and effects include multi-colored transformation ghosts, blue and red octopi, crescent moons, patriotic stars, double hearts, roaring dragons, screaming banshees, purple rain and spider webbed-shaped shells. The show will combine these mesmerizing effects in 22 different colors, including new neon highlighter yellow, green and pink.
The United States Air Force Band has lent their vocal and instrumental talents to create an inspiring all-American score, to which the entire show is choreographed.
Dynamic arrangements of classic patriotic tunes will include a new song by multi-Grammy Award-winning international superstar Gloria Estefan, and legendary 19-time Grammy Award-winning producer Emilio Estefan. “America,” will be performed by Gloria Estefan with children from VH1 Save The Music’s Park Place Community Middle School Choir from Brooklyn, NY.
In the original song, Gloria and Emilio Estefan convey their love for this country as they give thanks for the opportunities and freedoms we all enjoy. The sentiments expressed in this song are universal to all Americans, but are perfectly realized by the life and careers of this legendary pair, whose story will come to Broadway this fall in the new musical, “On Your Feet!”
Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, CeCe Winans, has provided powerful vocals for the patriotic favorite “My Country ‘tis of Thee,” and six-time chart-topping country star Rodney Atkins will stun the crowds with his soulful interpretation of “America the Beautiful.”
All three recordings will be available as a free limited time downloads on macys.com/fireworks from July 1 – July 5.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are made possible in part by signature partners Cracker Jack, The Howard Hughes Corporation, KFC, KOOL-AID, and PLANTERS, and are presented in partnership with the City of New York.
Revelers enjoying the show are encouraged to experience the full explosive display by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS-AM to hear the musical score to which the show is choreographed. Public viewing locations and dedicated entry points will be set up along various streets on F.D.R. Drive and in the South Street Seaport district, as well as various points in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
Independence Day spectators from coast-to-coast can catch all the action in the sky by tuning to NBC’s two-hour national broadcast of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnic splendor, the 4th of July’s most popular entertainment special will feature the hottest acts in music.
For more information on the 39th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
