Macy’s marks July Fourth with fireworks salute
Once again, the nation’s birthday will be celebrated in grand fashion by Macy’s Inc.
The department store retailer is hosting the 46th edition of its Fourth of July fireworks celebration, beginning at about 9:25 p.m. on Monday, July 4th in New York City. The full-scale pyrotechnic event returned in 2021 after taking a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Televised live from coast to coast as well as available for in-person viewing, this year’s event will launch more than 48,000 shells and effects from five barges positioned between East 23rd and East 42nd Streets on the East River, with prime live viewing from three boroughs in New York City.
“Macy’s Fireworks will once again spark joy and captivate millions as together the nation joins in celebration,” said Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “Live from New York City, five barges positioned on the East River will launch a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and sounds, celebrating America’s diverse musical legacy, featuring a selection of genres that have inspired global culture.”
An annual New York City tradition since 1976, the 46th edition of Macy’s fireworks is conceived, designed and produced by Macy’s with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza. The 25-minute spectacle is synchronized to a musical score and will feature a host of shells and effects in 30 colors and shapes. New shaped effects will include tall hat, mushroom and little snake shells, as well as tricolor interlocking rings and blinking, smiling faces. This year’s design will launch on average more than 1,900 shells and effects per minute.
A third of the total shells the 2022 show will showcase multiple effects, spanning one mile across the East River in a multi-layer presentation, reaching heights of 1,000 ft. to the water’s edge.
Ray Chew, musical director for ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and the annual NBC broadcast of “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” curated the event’s musical score, which features a selection of American musical genres including jazz, hip hop, R&B, rock, and country music; as well as patriotic standards. Highlights include “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by The United States Army Soldiers’ Chorus, “Born in the USA,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing” featuring Kenny Lattimore and the Community Baptist Church Choir, and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” performed by The Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Consumers can get a sneak preview of the spectacle by viewing a series of “Macy’s Live” livestream episodes at macys.com/macyslive. Leading up to July Fourth, the Macy’s fireworks team will showcase the inner workings of the pyrotechnic celebration. Consumers can visit macys.com/macyslive for the programming schedule.
For more information on the 46th annual Macy’s 4th of July fireworks celebration, visit macys.com/fireworks. In addition, consumers can follow and take part in the event on various social platforms via @macys and #MacysFireworks.