Macy's Fourth Of July Fireworks Set To Dazzle Millions Over East River
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After months of careful planning, the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular is set to light up the sky Saturday night.
About 3 million people are expected to line the East River to enjoy the sparkling display.
Macy's Fourth Of July Fireworks Set To Dazzle Millions Over East River
As WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, for 25 minutes, 50,000 shells will be synchronized to a musical score.
"You try to connect something to the song that matches with something in the fireworks, whether it's a color or a feeling," explained show designer Gary Souza.
Web Extra: Where to watch the fireworks | Where to eat near the fireworks
Souza said much of the music was recorded by the Air Force Band.
"Air Force is to me about flying; so the stars are going to swirl and fly around and there'll be some space-looking patterns in the sky as well as butterflies for flying," he said.
Tugboats will move the five barges into place just before the show.
On Friday, 1010 WINS, the official radio station of the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, spoke with the executive producer of the show.
"We had such great luck last year working down at the South Street Seaport and we got permission to use the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop to the show and we had three really big barges underneath and around the bridge, said Executive Producer Amy Kule said.
1010 WINS Interview With Executive Producer Amy Kule
"And we had so much fun down at the Seaport that we decided that this year we could not repeat the success of last year. So let's change it up a little bit. So we moved four barges uptown. Between 23rd and 37th streets you'll see four huge barges come to life."
But Kule said they left a double barge down at the Seaport so more people can view the fireworks.
To help enforce the message of this year's theme, "Brave," Souza has added brighter colors, effects and creative designs to the fireworks that promise to captivate, CBS2's Alex Denis reported.
"People just stop with all their troubles and worries, in that moment, and enjoy it," he said.
If you're concerned about the weather, organizers said don't be. The show will go on regardless of the weather.
1010 WINS is the official radio station of the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular and will provide a simulcast soundtrack for the show. To listen, tune in to 1010 WINS on your radio, stream online, or download the CBS Local app for your iPhone or Android device.
