Macy's enlists Empire State Building in July 4 celebration
NEW YORK — New York City's own Empire State Building is joining the 37th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks festivities. The building will be the site of a choreographed LED tower lights show designed to mirror the explosive finale of the nation’s largest pyrotechnic display.
“We are extraordinarily proud to partner with an iconic New York institution like the Empire State Building for our annual Independence Day spectacular,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “The finale of Macy’s Fireworks is always a defining moment that perfectly caps off an incredible and always awe-inspiring 25-minute show, and a full day of celebration. Adding the Empire State Building to the already dynamic show will further ignite the New York City skyline and will be the patriotic pinnacle of a nationwide celebration of freedom.”
“We are delighted to join with Macy’s in giving a gift to the city of New York, the people of America, and viewers around the world. Partnering the world’s most famous building with the world’s most famous fireworks spectacular can only happen in New York City,” said Anthony E. Malkin of the Empire State Building. “As the iconic feature of the New York City skyline, we are honored to have this opportunity to add our unmatchable LED lights to the celebration.”
This year, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks feature music and design elements curated and inspired by eight-time Grammy Award-winner Usher. The finale of the show entitled, “It Begins with a Spark,” will consist of a musical mash-up.
“I’m really excited that the Empire State Building will add its bright lights to the incredible show we’ve got planned for the nation. It’s going to be an epic moment when Frank Sinatra’s classic 'New York, New York' and the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys anthem 'Empire State of Mind' close out the show.”
The light show, created by Marc Brickman, will be designed and choreographed to the music, and will also mirror the effects exploding high over the Hudson River, during Macy’s famed “rumble to remember” finale moment.
ESB’s new LED tower lights debuted in Nov. 2012. Its lights allow customized light capabilities from a palette of more than 16 million colors in limitless combinations along with effects previously not possible such as ripples, cross-fades, sparkles, chasers, sweeps, strobes and bursts.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will feature more than 40,000 effects exploding during the 25-minute synchronized pyrotechnic show. Fired from four barges positioned approximately between 24th and 40th Streets on the Hudson River, the display is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:25 p.m. EST. The fireworks, produced by Macy’s, are designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, Calif.