One of the best and most traditional ways to celebrate the 4th of July is through watching a fireworks display. Since lighting your own fireworks can be dangerous, America is lucky to have so many grandiose fireworks displays across the country. Fireworks have become a full on production in some cities and they're the perfect way to end a day of relaxing on the beach and grilling up some burgers on the barbecue as America celebrates its independence.
Here's a list of some of the best fireworks displays in the nation.
New York's Macy's Firework display is the largest and most expensive in the world. For about 30 minutes, two million people come out to watch a magnificent fireworks show from four barges on the East River in Manhattan on the 4th of July. The barges, set up across a 1.5 mile spread, each contain 40,000 fireworks shells that soar up to 1,000 feet in the night sky. The fireworks are choreographed to music and contain special effects. The New York Fire Department also joins in on the colorful display by shooting red, clear, and blue water from fire boats on the river. This year, stars like Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney will perform as the fireworks illuminate the New York skyline and the display is broadcasted around the country.
Boston's firework show is also one of the most known and priciest shows on the 4th. The night starts off with the National Anthem, a flyover, and performances by the Boston Pops who play Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Then the 21-minute fireworks show wows a crowd of over 500,000 people by the Charles River. This show, in its 39th year will also features a performance by Jennifer Hudson and will be broadcasted nationally.
Every year, tens of thousands of people come out on July 3 to the town of Addison, which has a population of just 14,000. They come out for Kaboom Town!, a fireworks display that was rated among the best by the American Pyrotechnics Association and several publications. The 30-minute pyrotechnics show can be seen anywhere in the town as restaurants and local businesses broadcast the show. The fireworks, sponsored by Time Warner cable, are set off in Addison Circle Park and are choreographed to music. Those in the area can also enjoy great food, live music on the Dos Equis Stage and the spectacular Addison Airport Air Show featuring the Cavanaugh Flight Museum Warbird Flyover.
Of course the fireworks show in that Nation's capitol makes the list as one of the best displays. It could not get more patriotic as fireworks shoot from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool and light up the sky behind Washington Monument Before the fireworks show, the over 500,000 visitors can check out the Independence Day Parade and the Capitol Fourth Concert on the West Lawn of the US Capitol building. The 20-minute display shoots 66,000 pound of fireworks to the soundtrack of The National Symphony Orchestra.
This display is run by the same company that does the Macy's Fireworks in New York, so it's a big one and it's rated among the top 5 by the American Pyrotechnics Association. Every year, 100,000 visitors come out to see this 23-minute show of 5,000 fireworks. The fireworks shoot from barges on the lake, so it makes a beautiful scene for those who come out to enjoy the show which kicks off at 9:45 pm on the 4th.
Nashville calls their "Let Freedom Sing" fireworks show the "largest fireworks display in the South" as the 30-minue show includes 13,460 pounts of fireworks and costs the city $125,000. It takes place around Riverfront Park, where over 125,000 attendees camp put and enjoy all day concerts before the big pyrotechnics show that is choreographed to live music by the Nashville Symphony. The fireworks are set off from 10 spots along the shore and only shoot up to 800 feet in the air, giving spectators a pretty close up view.
Philadelphia's 4th of July fireworks display is just one part of an 11 day celebration. The show is only 15-minutes long but it's part of a celebration that costs up to $2.1 million and attracts 500,000 viewers each year. The show starts pretty late, around 10:30 p.m. and takes place over the Museum of Art. Visitors can also watch a wil and patriotic parade during the day and the Life, Liberty, and You concert before the show, which features some big name musicians. Philly is the perfect setting to celebration patriotism and it's the home of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
This 4th of July fireworks show in Lake Union follows an all day family-friendly festival of concerts and games. Over 50,000 people come to Gas Works Park for the 21-minute spectacle while 200,000 watch from around the Lake. In 2010, this display was almost cancelled due to a sponsor collapse, but the community has come together to keep this show alive each year.
This 21-minute show draws in a crowd of over 600,000 as fireworks shoot over San Francisco Bay with the skyline in the background. The fireworks are shot off from barges neat Pier 39, where visitors can enjoy dancing and live entertainment, including a performance by Tainted Love this year.
St. Louis hosts the Fair Saint Louis, which they call "America's Biggest Birthday Party." The three day festival takes place under the Gateway Arch and includes a 135-year-old parade, concerts, air shows, and more. The 20-minute fireworks show on the 4th attracts half a million viewers and it is an amazng sight. It is compared to a 3-D laser show because the fireworks reflect off the stainless steel of the Gateway Arch.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
