Fireworks Will Return to East River this Fourth of July Says deBlasio at Brooklyn Heights Promenade Press Conference [Video]

Mayor de Blasio today confirmed rumors that the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will be returning to the East River after four years on the west side of Manhattan. “I’m a believer that when people speak they can move mountains,” Mayor de Blasio announced. “So I’m thrilled to say the fireworks will be back on the East River.” The Mayor also said that the fireworks will be launched from the Brooklyn Bridge as well as the barges. He then went on to thank State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilman Stephen Levin, and former Beep Marty Markowitz for their efforts in bringing the fireworks back east. Stay tuned for Karl Junkersfeld’s video, and be sure to stake out your spot on the Promenade ASAP.

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  • bialy

    Major kudos to the Mayor on this one folks !!!! Why should Jersey people even get to see it. Its a NYC event ! They don’t pay for it or for the police, fire and other security efforts that are involved. We do. Our taxes. Why should people in Queens and Brooklyn have to go the West Side of Manhattan to see it? It so much more accessible for the residents of NYC if it occurs on the East River.

  • Banet

    Actually, it’s privately funded by Macy’s, not the city.

  • Ann B Chapin

    As far as I know, Macys takes care of the fireworks and we pay for everything else.

  • David on Middagh

    Finally! A really, really tall mayor.

  • DIBS

    As you probably have to tell your dates, size isn’t everything. :)

  • Heightsman

    Just from the economic standpoint (not saying for or against) it’s going to cost us (the actual tax payers of this city) an extra $500k+ every July 4th for the privilege. It’s easy to say no big deal but that’s the difference between a mayor who lives on the upper east side and a mayor who’s been evicted. The point being it’s easy to say no big deal but choices are hard and economic responsibility even harder. If you have to make the choice (no choice for both) what would you spend the money on….more school funding for that one child to advance or some lights in the sky for the day…what would it be? Life is about choices. You can’t have everything. That’s the issue with most…they want it all but don’t want to face the choices or consequences of those choices.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Don’t know where you got the $500k figure but assuming for the sake of argument that you are correct, the city tax coffers should be improved with the increased consumer activity this event generates. Considering that many native New Yorkers will make a day of it and have dinner out prior to the event as well as other activities and add the increased tourism for this spectacular day and you have tax money galore being generated. The incremental tax on hotel stays and dining totally attributable to individuals enjoying themselves in relation to the fireworks should exceed $500k. The amount of tourists that come to New York to see this great fireworks display can not be underestimated. Also, we aren’t just talking tax but income for residents who will spend that money and its “multiplier effect”. In short, the Macy’s fireworks display is an income generator for NYC. Note, if you add goodwill and marketing of NYC, this is a no brainer.

  • David on Middagh

    That’s a nice car there in your avatar pic. Very impressive car. Very, very, large… car.

  • DIBS

    Late rteens Rolls Royces aren’t particularly large. They get much bigger later on. Currently though I drive a Bentley GT

  • David on Middagh

    Noted.

  • Eddyde

    If “You” are actually driving it, I’m not that impressed.

  • Eddyde

    What about millions of people having a great time, isn’t that worth it..

  • MonroeOrange

    great…now we know which car to key in the neighborhood….DIBS it must be lonely being such an arrogant D……

    People with class, don’t need to advertise what car they drive…only insecure individuals do that…..

  • MonroeOrange

    as long as the millions of people remember to pick up their trash!…thats the issue, why so many brooklyn heights residents object to this being on the east river. The promenade and every street leading to it, each year we host it, is littered with the trash. I also would be concerned that with the addition of the BBP, we will have 10x the amount of people walking from the trains to the park as well. I hope the police are aware of the influx of people this will bring this year…normally its just the capacity of the promenade….this year it will be ten fold.

    That being said, i don’t mind it…I wait to hear the fireworks and leave the house to take a look…even if we have to stand in the back.

  • DIBS

    I’ll take that into consideration, coming from the biggest a$$hole here. It’s never parked here in the neighborhood anyway.

    And Eddy, even the 1% like to drive their coupes.

  • DIBS

    No, Eddy, at least not in the minds of these old curmudgeons

  • Eddyde

    Yeah but it does not give the same impression without a chauffeur :)

  • Eddyde

    I can’t say I’m surprised a lowlife like you would make threats of vandalism… Hey! that’s a serious TOS violation, I’m gonna flag that comment, maybe you’ll finally get the boot off this site :))

  • DIBS

    True. But it’s also a lot more fun to drive than the sedan with its 542HP. And, getting chauffered in the Coupe just looks stupid.

  • Eddyde

    I know all about it, I live on Montague St. Thing is, hordes spectators show up even when the fireworks aren’t in the East River. So if they are we coming anyway we might as well enjoy the show. Besides, many people will be heading to the BB Park, should take some of the pressure off the Promenade.

  • DIBS

    Ah, leave him alone. I bet he rarely goes out anyway. I think he’s in that apartment I’ve seen with the foil over the windows.

  • Jorale-man

    It’s true actually – last year people were coming in droves to the Promenade and BBP to see the sliver of fireworks that appeared between the Verizon Building and the Municipal Building in Manhattan. I didn’t get it at first, but I think it was just an excuse to sit along the water. This year’s 4th is on a Friday so it will definitely be a mad house around here (and maybe an excuse to get out of town).

  • MonroeOrange

    oh spare me your indignation! without my comments you wouldn’t have any excitement in your life…i can hear your heart pumping writing the above comment.

    And i guess your version of class is also stating what possessions you own! You BOTH should read Chekhov…you may learn what it means to value quality of life over quantity, regardless of how wealthy or not.

  • Eddyde

    LOL, what a delusional fool you are. You provide no “excitement” to me whatsoever. You are only an annoyance.
    I’ve read plenty of Russian literature and you have no clue as to my views or values. You however, are mean spirited and spiteful.

  • DIBS

    Really?? Actually you provide us with comedic entertainment.

    And as far as advising any of us what to read, I’m sure most of us have already read far more than you ever have but go ahead, try and believe yourself to be a better person. You’re not fooling anyone with your contrived indignation.

    No one’s waiting here to see your posts. We can see them on the nome page whenever you decide to add more stupidity!