Fireworks and Dinosaur BBQ at Southpoint Park For the Fourth of July

Image from RIOC

There is no better place to watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks display than Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park at night with it's unobstructed view of the East River and Manhattan skyline. As an added attraction, Dinosaur BBQ will be handling the food concession this year. I have been to their 131 street store several times and their BBQ is very good.

Image of Dinosaur BBQ

Unfortunately, it will cost Roosevelt Island residents $18 and others $20 to partake in the Independence Day festivities. What do you get beside the usually free magnificent view? Not any BBQ, that of course is extra, but according to RIOC you get this:

live musical performances by:

1) The smooth Jazz sounds of The Jazz Collective
2) Alternative band- Citizens of Contrary Knowledge
3) 12 Piece Salsa, Merengue & Latin Jazz Band- Victor Quezada y su Banda
4) Calypso & Soca sounds of The Therapy Band

And:

Only ticket holders will be admitted to the following:
Food, Children's Entertainment, clowns, facepainters, balloon artists, kid rides, stilt walkers and much more.
Gates to the venue will open at approximately 5:00 PM
Fireworks begin at approximately 9:00 PM

RIOC reports that there are no more tickets left. There will be approximately 5000 people in attendance. Here's some more information on the Roosevelt Island Fireworks Festival from RIOC.

One of the benefits of having so many people visit Southpoint Park for the Fireworks display is that they get to see the magnificent East River waterfront and NYC skyline views from this unique location. The more people that are aware of this special place the more likely it is that we can prevent what some residents refer to as the Louis Kahn Death Box (disguised as a purported FDR memorial) from ever being built there and forever ruining Southpoint Park.

For those visitors to Roosevelt Island here are directions for the subway, tram, bus and by car though we hope you use public transportation.

On a less expensive note, Nonnos Focacceria will be having a children's carnival on the lawn outside of their store from approximately 3-7 PM prior to the fireworks with inflatable rides, pizza, popcorn, burgers and hot dogs. For those non-Roosevelt Islanders, Nonnos is located in the Southtown section of the Island behind the subway station and next to the Starbucks. Check it out.

Also, a new Roosevelt Island resident asks the following question:

I was just wondering about 4th of July on the Island. This will be my first 4th of July here and saw that you can go to southpoint to watch the fireworks. I also found out that you must pay to go see this. I was just wondering if you can see the fireworks from other places on the island, specifically around the manhattan park area. Thanks.

When I lived at Manhattan Park, we were able to go up to the roof of the building to watch fireworks. Despite being far away, you actually had a pretty decent view. After the Macy's fireworks were over it was fun following the boats racing down the East River to get home as well as watching local neighborhood fireworks displays from Queens. It's a sight. Other people, particularly from off island go to the top of the motorgate parking garage.

For those boaters viewing the fireworks on the water:

... the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port is establishing a Safety Zone in the East River and restricting vessel traffic through the Upper Harbor Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

This Safety zone will cover an area in the East River from the southern point of Roosevelt Island to Governors Island, and in Newtown Creek west of the Pulaski Bridge. Boaters are also restricted from the Hudson River at a northern boundary from North Cover Marina due west to New Jersey, and a southern boundary from the southern tip of Governors Island to Liberty State Park.

Vessels over 65 feet may view the display near the Williamsburg Bridge south of the East River Main Channel Lighted Buoy 18, north of South 9th Street Brooklyn, and 200 yards from the Manhattan shoreline. Vessels must remain in position from 7:00 p.m. until released by the Coast Guard patrol commander approximately 11:30 p.m. Vessels under 65 feet may view the display from Buttermilk Channel south of the southwest corner of Pier 9A Brooklyn, and on the Hudson River northwest of Pier A and north of the Eillis Island 150-yard Security Zone. For additional restrictions, please visit the the Urgent Coast Guard Advisory Notice at www.uscgnewyork.com.

Here's some other fireworks viewing locations from Macy's.

Image of fireworks viewing location from Macy's

Whatever you do have a great time and if you wish, take a moment to remember what the holiday is all about - The Declaration of Independence.