Macy's 4th of July fireworks return to the Hudson River to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage

June 07, 2009

MACY’S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
THE NATION’S LARGEST 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAYRETURNS TO THE HUDSON RIVER TO CELEBRATE THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF HENRY HUDSON’S VOYAGE

New York, NY – New York, NY – June 2009 – From the Half Moon to an American River, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® pyrotechnic splendor returns to the Hudson River for the first time since 2000, to celebrate America’s birthday with the nation’s largest 4th of July fireworks display. On Saturday, July 4, at approximately 9:20 PM, Macy’s will create a showstopper like no other to honor the country’s independence and to kick off the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson. American River, the theme of the 33rd annual Macy’s Fireworks will give more than two million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide, America’s most spectacular showcase of brilliant colors, jaw-dropping effects and thunderous sound.
 
This year’s patriotic revelry will feature approximately 40,000 shells exploding in a kaleidoscope of color at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute and will feature eight times more high-level fireworks than last year’s show. The 26-minute display, designed in collaboration with SOUSA Fireworks, will be set off from six barges positioned between 24th and 50th Streets on the Hudson River giving New York City residents a stunning front row seat to America’s biggest Independence Day party. With six barges lined-up end-to-end on the river, this year’s show will mark Macy’s longest continuous show ever. From the West Side Highway to any point in New York City with a view of the sky over the Hudson River, Macy’s Fireworks are sure to thrill and amaze.
“The Hudson River is where Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks was born,” says Robin Hall, executive producer, Macy’s Fireworks, “and we’re excited to return this year to be part of New York City’s larger celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage of discovery aboard the Dutch vessel, The Half Moon.”

Before becoming an annual tradition beginning in 1976, Macy’s Fireworks made their debut in 1958 on the Hudson River and previously held a special event marking the 350th Anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson with a spectacular show in 1959. A half-century later, Macy’s Fireworks are returning to the Hudson to continue to celebrate the fascinating story that culminates with the founding of New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers and to kick-off the City’s NYC400 summer celebrations, which culminate on September 13th with Harbor Day.

“The people of the Netherlands are extremely pleased to see the commemorative return of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks to the Hudson River in honor of Henry Hudson’s discovery and New York City’s 400th birthday,” said Renée Jones-Bos, the Dutch Ambassador in the USA. “It is a symbol of a long-standing friendship between two strongly tied nations, which share the open-mindedness of those Dutch-American pioneers. We are two countries, but one spirit, united by values, history and a vision of the future.”

This year’s big bang on the West Side will be expertly synchronized to a rousing score featuring patriotic standards, classic river-themed works and original music. The legendary New York Pops, under the direction of Steve Reineke, will perform the musical score that features classics from Proud Mary to God Bless America, as well as the original composition American River Suite written by Broadway composer Stephen Flaherty and Macy’s creative director Bill Schermerhorn. Lending their vocal talents to the score will be Broadway superstars Audra McDonald and Idina Menzel with appearances by the Choir Academy of Harlem. Macy’s Fireworks are precisely timed to the musical score which spectators can hear live by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS.

The showstopper begins as the first shells hit their mark in the night sky. Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world that create dazzling effects and sounds. New this year will be a few shells that have mysterious qualities. From the “Ghost” shells that
appear, disappear and reappear in plain sight to the shape-shifting Saturn shells with their interlocking loops and rings that create shapes then transform to “space dust” and finally to Patriotic Tulips in honor of New York’s Dutch heritage, the newest shells in the Macy’s Fireworks promise to surprise and entertain.

With the new surprises come a few Macy’s Fireworks favorites - with a twist. The famed “Macy’s Golden Mile” is back and ready to cover more than one mile of the river from its horizontal to its vertical planes with a massive shower of golden sparks. To give that fanfavorite more time to be enjoyed, this year the Golden Mile will last longer than ever before as the shells shine for more time while cascading to the water’s edge. Since the Golden Mile is universally beloved by spectators, Macy’s will give them an extra special
treat with the addition of the first-ever “Macy’s Silver Mile.” The newest mile of sparkle is made possible by using Japanese Nishiki-style White Strobbing Kamuro shells that will cover the sky over the Hudson and be featured during the song, Half Moon.

From city streets, rooftops, balconies, parks, and highways, spectators along the West Side will not only have a front row view of the show, but also get a second performance. At 7:30 PM an FDNY Fireboat Water Show will begin with New York’s Bravest sailing two
Marine Division fireboats spraying red, clear and blue water arcs up 300 feet in the air in a patriotic salute to America’s independence. Following that tribute at 8:00 PM spectators will enjoy a special flyover by jets from the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing in the
last prelude to the commencement of the fireworks bonanza.

Spectators can catch the action coast-to-coast from the comforts of home by tuning in to Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular broadcast nationally on NBC-TV. The telecast hosted by Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber from the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air &
Space Museum begins at 9:00 PM (check local listings). The one-hour star-studded special features a line-up of performances from Rob Thomas, Jewel, and the cast of Broadway’s West Side Story.

The 33rd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks is sponsored in part by Energizer  Levi’s , and Planters, and is presented in partnership with The City of New York.

Viewing information and other spectator tips are available online at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.

About Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks is the nation’s largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, CA, Macy’s Fireworks is a 30-minute digitally synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing patriotic score. Yearly fired from various locations across New York City, Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 2 million spectators and more than 8 million viewers nationwide, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks have become the nation’s premiere 4th of July celebration event.

About Energizer®:
Energizer Battery Inc., www.energizer.com, www.facebook.com/energizerbunny, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. Energizer is a global leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power geared toward the new digital age. Energizer offers a full portfolio of products including the Energizer® MAX® premium alkaline brand; Energizer® Ultimate Lithium; Energizer® Advanced Lithium and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable batteries and chargers. The Energizer product line also includes specialty batteries for hearing aids, health and fitness devices, as well as for keyless remote entry systems, watches and other uses. Through its flashlight and lighting products unit, Energizer helps bring consumer insight and innovation to these important household devices. Energizer continues its role as a technology leader with Energizer® Energi To Go®, portable battery powered chargers for cell phones.

About Levi’s®:
The Levi's brand is proud to sponsor the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event. In 1853, during the California Gold Rush, our founder, Levi Strauss, opened a wholesale dry goods business in San Francisco. Today, we are one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel marketers with sales in more than 110 countries. There is no other company with a comparable global presence in the jeans and casual pants markets. Our great brands and businesses have been built by consistently providing quality products and by earning the trust of consumers, investors, employees and society as a whole through responsible business practices. This principle of responsible commercial success is embedded in our 154-year history and continues to anchor how we operate today.

About Planters:
PLANTERS began as a vision in the mind of a young Italian immigrant named Amedeo Obici. Little did he know that the small business he began in 1906 would become one of the most recognized brands in America. Built on the reputation of offering superior quality and fresh-tasting nuts, PLANTERS continues to seek innovative ways to lead the snack nut category. This year, PLANTERS brings a fresh, contemporary twist to snacking by adding pure sea salt to its beloved snack nut products, including Cocktail Peanuts and Dry Roasted Peanuts, Cashews Halves & Pieces, Deluxe Whole Cashews, Mixed Nuts and Deluxe Mixed Nuts.

For Macy’s media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.