LOWER EAST SIDE — Take that, Jersey.
The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show is coming back to the East River for the first time since 2008, meaning Brooklyn and Queens residents should be able to catch a glimpse of this year’s lavish spectacle, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday.
The show moved to the Hudson River in 2009 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage and has been there ever since.
“I'm pleased to have pushed for this with Public Advocate de Blasio for years and now — more fruitfully — to partner with Mayor de Blasio and Macy's to get it done,” State Sen. Daniel Squadron said in a statement.
During his mayoral campaign, de Blasio criticized his predecessor for keeping the fireworks on the west side.
“If the people will have me, I as mayor will act very differently than Mayor Bloomberg and I’ll make sure that Macy’s brings it back to the east side,” he said during a July 2013 speech.
The show, expected to be seen by more than 3 million people, will be launched from the Brooklyn Bridge and barges along the lower East River.
“Fireworks on the East River are a tradition that New Yorkers are excited to welcome back and I am looking forward to this year’s festivities,” Councilmember Stephen Levin said. “I want to thank Macy's and Mayor de Blasio for working together to bring fireworks back to the East River.”
