According to this Macy’s May 15 press release:
This year, through “Celebrations Start at Macy’s,” Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks®will mark its 50th anniversary with a milestone pyrotechnic display, captivating millions on Saturday, July 4. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will expand to both the lower East River in the Seaport District, the lower Hudson River in collaboration with Jersey City, and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge creating a shared experience that connects more communities than ever.
The nation’s largest 4th of July celebration will ignite the skies of New York and New Jersey with a kaleidoscope of color and sound. The landmark show celebrates 50 years of patriotic spectacle for Macy’s and marks the nation’s 250th birthday….
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs Bryant Daniels adds:
Late last week, Macy’s announced that the fireworks barges for the July 4th show will be stationed much further south than originally planned. Following the announcement, PSD has confirmed with both the MTA and NYC Transit Police that Roosevelt Island will not be a viewing location this year, as the fireworks will not be visible from our shores. Consequently, there will be no ticketed event at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park. We’ll have more communications for the community on this soon.
Are you disappointed not to see the Fireworks from Roosevelt Island this year and going through the lottery for tickets at FDR Park or are you relieved that the crowds probably will not be coming?
Here’s what the 2021 July 4 Fireworks looked like from FDR Four Freedoms State Park
and getting ready to view the Fireworks from the Cornell Tech hills.
2023 was the last year that the July 4 Fireworks could be seen from Roosevelt Island.
As recently as the May 11 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting, RIOC had been preparing for Roosevelt Island to be a prime viewing location for the 2026 Macy’s July 4 Fireworks celebration. During the meeting, RIOC Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen reported:
… July 4th, we wanted to touch on this as we’re getting closer to the holiday coming up. Coordination has been underway since the beginning of this year with NYPD, NYC emergency management, New York State Emergency Management, MTA, New York City Transit Police, New York State Parks, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, and Cornell Tech, all central to our proactive safety planning and strategy when it comes to this event. We have a map here of just different locations where we are going to have officers and safety personnel assigned during the day….
Don’t know if there was a change away from the original plans for location of July 4 Fireworks barges to be closer to Roosevelt Island or a communication mix-up between Macy’s, various city agencies and RIOC.
What a shame we won’t be able to see the fireworks from our wonderful island . That’s one of the special things about living on this island gives us . It’s really quite unfair that for the past 3 years we have been excluded from being able to view the fireworks . There must be something we can do to be included in this special event . We are Americans and we deserve to be included in our country’s special event . My father and grandfather fought for freedom in this country . I was in the New York guard medical team as a volunteer . We gave to this country and would like to celebrate and feel left out . We need to make some kind of appeal to the powers that be . Maybe a petition . What’s your thoughts ?
I am for one glad that the fireworks are not going to be available to view from Roosevelt Island because there’s more safety and there won’t be the chaos of crowds all over Four Freedoms Park and Cornell Tech. There’s also the concern of safety and a peace of mind and not having to dealing with pushing and shoving, extra police deployment and helicopters. In addition, all of the late night noise and disruptions stay away and I find that a huge win.