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Reminder: Prepare To Be "Delighted" By Legal Fireworks At Random Times & Places This Week

Ben Yakas

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Ben Yakas

Published Jun 29, 2020

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[Update Below] NYC has been inundated with illegal fireworks at all times of the day for weeks now, which has led city officials to start a specific task force to try to curtail the activity. Just this morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a Fireworks Enforcement Detail to stop them from coming into the state, saying, “Some nights in New York City it feels like the Wild West." But despite people grousing about them, that hasn't stopped the city from forging ahead with plans for legal fireworks this week. The catch is that the annual Macy's 4th Of July fireworks displays tend to draw huge crowds, and huge crowds are a big social distancing no-no—so instead, there will be five minutes of legal fireworks displays happening at undisclosed locations at undisclosed times throughout the city all week. So how's this gonna work?

Macy's writes that to support the social distancing efforts, "we have chosen to delight New Yorkers with unannounced displays across the five boroughs this year," which is not the way many New Yorkers would describe it. Last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that the locations and times of each display will not be revealed until shortly before they are set to begin. According to Macy's, to discourage crowds gathering, there will be "geographically targeted notifications issued by the City to residents in the vicinity of each display shortly before they commence."

Despite their mysterious and brief launch times, everything else about the individual fireworks displays will be in line with previous Macy's fireworks programs: "The displays will take place from high visibility waterways and land-based infrastructure. The shows are designed to reach heights of up to 1,000 feet or more, when launched from land-based infrastructure. Spectators in/and around these locations and many more with unobstructed views will be able to enjoy them."

As for how they chose the neighborhoods in particular, they add, "Final sites were chosen because they could safely accommodate the launch and firing of large-scale, commercial-grade pyrotechnics. These locations, whether land-based or from a waterway, adhered strictly to federal, state and local safety guidelines while also allowing the public ample viewing while practicing social distancing efforts."

The brief displays will begin sometime later today and go on in each borough throughout the week, culminating in a two-hour 4th of July television special on Saturday, showing all five displays along with a tribute to health care workers and first responders, plus "something very special" at the Empire State Building.

Mayor de Blasio was asked this morning whether people really wanted this now, considering how much people seem annoyed by the steady stream of illegal fireworks happening daily: "I made this decision a couple months ago, because to me it was about saying we're still here, we're still fighting, we're still standing. And that was in a much tougher time," he said, referring to his announcement on April 22nd that this would happen. "It is a message to the nation of the strength of NYC. It's also an opportunity for us to celebrate our country as our country is in crisis, and have a moment of something positive, and something respectful. Macy's was ready to do this, they were ready to go ahead, and I thought it was the right thing to do."

"Folks will know at the last minute the broad area and they'll get a sense to look out for it," he added. "In a world of imperfect options, I came to the conclusion with Macy's that this was the best approach."

While there isn't much human can do to prepare for the legal fireworks, there are things you can do to prepare your pet. “Even pets that are not usually sensitive to loud sounds and noise can become extremely stressed due to the sound of fireworks,” said Dr. John Howe, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “It’s hard not to feel helpless when you see them shaking and panting and so obviously distressed. But with a little advance planning and preparation you can ease your pets’ anxiety and help get them through this time.”

The AVMA recommends getting your pet plenty of exercise earlier in the day to tire them out, keeping them indoors during the displays, investing in snug-fitting shirts if your pet needs it, and playing soothing sounds to try to drown out the explosions outside.

If you spot the fireworks in your area, you can share your photos and video to [email protected].

Update, 7:15 p.m.: According to the LIC Post, "Macy’s will be setting off fireworks off barges near Long Island City tonight as it kicks off its Fourth of July fireworks show, according to sources. The first night– tonight– is going to be off Hunters Point Park South." If you are already in that area and decide to head there to get a closer look, please socially distance and wear a mask.

The scene in LIC around 8 p.m.

Scott Lynch / Gothamist

At 8 p.m., NotifyNYC tweeted that the fireworks would begin sometime between 9 and 10 p.m. They noted the below areas:

Tagged

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

fireworks

mayor bill de blasio

4th of july

Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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