Fantastic News For Roosevelt Island, Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks Celebration Returning To East River Says Mayor DeBlasio - Where To Watch On Roosevelt Island?

 Image Of Macy's Fireworks Seen From Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park

NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio Tweets:

Proud to announce that this year's July 4th #MacysFireworks are coming back to the East River. #BrooklynBridge
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) April 14, 2014

According to Mayor DeBlasio's Press Release:

Macy’s and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that on Friday, July 4th, a national historic landmark will set a dramatic stage for dazzling pyrotechnics as the 38th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® return to the East River. Set to deliver the nation’s largest display of patriotic firepower and ready to dazzle more than 3 million spectators and millions more on television nationwide, Macy’s Fireworks this year will be launched from the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge and from barges positioned on the lower East River.

“We’re grateful to Macy’s for lighting our skyline every 4th of July—and I’m thrilled that, after years of working with Macy’s and my colleagues to make this a reality, the fireworks will return to the East River this year!” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now even more New Yorkers will get to take part in this extraordinary celebration, against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, the harbor, and our skyline.”

“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are a one-of-a-kind spectacle that will once again inspire audiences nationwide as we illuminate the shores of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn with stunning effects, color and sound,” said Amy Kule, Executive Producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “We are thrilled to be working with our partners in the City of New York to have the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as our canvas and stunning backdrop for this year’s bigger-than-life display.”...

Click here for the full Press Release. Mayor DeBlasio has been advocating for the return of the Macy's Fireworks to the East River since he was the Public Advocate.

Image From NYC Public Advocate's Bill DeBlasio Office

The last time the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Celebration was held on the East River was in 2008. Here's the view of the 2008 Fireworks from Roosevelt Island's southern tip at Southpoint Park, now the site of the FDR Four Freedoms Park



and a report of the Good, Bad and Ugly from that day.

Earlier today, I asked the FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy:

I understand that the Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks celebration will return to the East River for 2014.

Any comment or statement from you regarding the FDR Four Freedoms Park policy on viewing the Fireworks at the FDR Park?

Will the Park be open to the Public? Will there be any sort of fee?

A Conservancy representative replied:

We just learned about the return of the Fireworks to the East River this morning. We will let you know as soon as any decisions have been made with regard to the Park policy regarding the 4th of July fireworks.

I also asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato and RIOC Directors:

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks celebration will be returning to the East River this year.

As you know, Roosevelt Island will have some of the best views of the fireworks particularly at the southern tip from Southpoint Park to FDR Park.

Any comment from RIOC regarding policy of the public viewing Fireworks from Southpoint Park and FDR Park?

Will the public be allowed access to the parks? Will there be a fee?

Here's what it was like during the 2008 Macy's July 4 Fireworks celebration on Roosevelt Island.

Have not yet received a reply from RIOC. Will update when one is received.

The issue of viewing Macy's July 4th Fireworks celebration and my objection to RIOC charging $18 to watch it from Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park was the subject of this blog's very first  post way back in 2007.

UPDATE 4/23 - Here's Mayor DeBlasio's press conference announcing the return of the Macy's 4th of July fireworks to the East River.



UPDATE 5/28 - Looks like no East River Fireworks viewing on Roosevelt Island this year.