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Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks / → All Tags

Fireworks Post-Mortem: New York Does Big The Best

Despite some of us editors inhabiting an overcrowded island called Manhattan, we realize that a great big world beckons beyond the tall buildings we walk between every day. We try to explore as much of said world as possible. But for events when grandeur is paramount, it's handy living in New York City.

Bloomberg somehow managed to stave off intermittent rain while the aerial explosions poured down over the city for 30 minutes. Three million people showed up with parkas and umbrellas to watch the show, which is billed as the nation's biggest, with 40,000 fireworks. Eight barges on the East River and at the South Street Seaport set off an average of 1,300 shells per minute.

For the first time, the display featured fireworks aimed down at the water rather than up at the sky. Other highlights included fireworks in the shape of stars, hearts, and smiley faces -- you know, for the kids. Flickr already has a nice collection of photos from last night's show.

Related Stories:
· Where to Watch Fireworks [Jaunted]
· Where to Watch Fireworks II [Jaunted]

[Photo: NYC.andre's view from Queens IDCNY Building]

Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: Where to Watch Fireworks Part II

As everyone gears up for Uncle Sam's 231st birthday, it's time to take one quick and final look at the best and brightest in-sky explosions taking place this Fourth of July in the US.

Surprisingly, AOL, yeah, we said suprisingly, has a nice rundown of the best fireworks shows in the U.S. Of course cities like D.C., New York, and Boston make the cut. But a few less-conspicuous cities will be emitting a surprising amount of nitrogen into the air tomorrow night.

·   Kaboom Town [Addison, Texas]
·   Celebrate St. Louis [St. Louis]
·   2007 Independence Day Fireworks Show [San Diego]
·   Go 4th On the River [New Orleans]

Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks / → All Tags

D-I-Y Independence Day: Scoring Barely Legal Fireworks Part II

Boston has symbolized patriotism ever since a few ancestors hurled some crates of tea into the harbor. So we didn't want to leave Beantown residents out of the arms race for tomorrow's fireworks festivities.

While we already explained how New Yorkers can stock up on all the explosive goodies that are forbidden within state lines, now it's time to teach Massachussetteans where to buy illegal fireworks. This is only a hypothetical, of course.

The best bet is to cross the border to New Hampshire, our Boston-based colleague informs us. Phantom Fireworks has three locations in N.H., in Hinsdale (just across the Mass. border), Londonderry, and Seabrook. And Atlas PyroVision has seven locations throughout the state.

Happy Birthday America!

Related Stories:
· Cherry Bombs and Sparklers [Jaunted]

[Photo: jaja_1985]

Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks / → All Tags

D-I-Y Independence Day: Scoring Barely Legal Fireworks

Friday, we told you that certain places in the Northeast, like New York, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., ban the purchase of consumer fireworks. While lawmakers relax their restrictions for sparklers in Massachusetts and D.C., New York laws seem to be the strictest, forbidding almost every form of explosive patriotism.

Being the rebels we are, we looked into how New Yorkers can subvert the system so little cousin Timmy can spell his name in the sky with sparklers at the family BBQ on the Fourth of July this year.

The easiest way to score the goods is to cross the border into Pennsylvania (don't bother with Jersey, despite its sinful reputation, it's uptight about selling miniature bombs too). Both Phantom Fireworks and Spectacular Fireworks are about three hours from NYC. Phantom is just off Route 81 North near Scranton, while Spectacular is located on I-78 near Pa.'s border with New Jersey.

Upstate New Yorkers also have to option to drive to Ohio or buy those sparklers at any of the state's seven Indian reservations. While you're there, might as well stock up on M-80s, a few cartons of Marlboros, and some cheap gas.

Don't bother with trying your luck in Canada, those customs officials can be real killjoys.

Related Stories:
· Cherry Bombs and Sparklers [Jaunted]

Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks Travel / → All Tags

Cherry Bombs and Sparklers: D-I-Y Independence Day

The National Council on Fireworks Safety wants everyone to have a safe Fourth of July. But most of the Midwestern and Southern states want you to have some fun -- with fire. While those uptight Northeasterners apparently frown on fun, and refuse to let amateurs handle high-powered explosives.

The block of states from North Dakota through Texas gives the purchase of consumer fireworks the green light. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and even our capital, Washington, D.C., refuses to allow its citizens to express their patriotism the American way -- by buying lots of stuff (fireworks) and being really loud (setting them off). Heavy consumption of alcohol during this process is required.

A quick guide to where you can avoid the grandeur, crowds, and relative safety that comes with a professional fireworks show and instead do-it-yourself can be found here.

Full Disclosure: We're obviously kidding and want all Jaunted readers to follow the law and keep their fingers in tact, but you know how we love barely legal photos of holiday travel revelery.

[Photo Credit: Matt Cooper]

Tags: Fourth of July / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: Where To Watch Fireworks

The Fourth of July is coming and while every town in the U.S. worth its salt has a fireworks extravaganza, now is the time to choose your gawking spot. Remember, the largest fireworks display in the world is not in the U.S. it is in Madeira. For that matter, the largest fireworks show in the U.S. isn't even on the 4th, it is Thunder over Louisville, which celebrates the Kentucky Derby during the first week of May.

That said, there are plenty of killer spots to stake out if you are into bombs bursting in air. If none of these viewpoints grab you, just buy yourself a pack of sparklers and head to the nearest beach.

·   Check For Cool Images Of Past Displays [Flickr]
·   Best Hotels For Watching Fireworks [HotelChatter]
·   7/4 Past, Present, Future [Jaunted]
·   The Biggest In The World? Wait Until Dec. 31 [YouTube]
·   Hidden Gem? Try The Grucci Produced Sailfest [Official Site]

[Photo: shoebappa]

Tags: Waterfront / Fourth of July / → All Tags

The Fourth on the Water: Part III

If we had boatloads of money to spend this weekend and still wanted to celebrate the Fourth we would head to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Not to miss out on an Independence Day celebration (they are still U.S. territory after all...) the islands host a week long affair complete with everything from donkey races to a mango melee. The third is their Emanicipation Day and they do their take on the Fourth with a Carnival style party and a parade and beach jam on St. John.

Hm. Something tells us that we wouldn't really miss the hot dogs and sparklers if we had a mai tai and a steel drum band.

Related Stories:
·   USVI Events Calendar [USVI Official Tourism Site]
·   Top 10 Places to Celebrate July Fourth [ShermansTravel.com]

Tags: Fourth of July / → All Tags

The Fourth On the Water: Part II

Those handy do-it-yourself New Englanders have also figured out an alternative to watching Boston's fireworks from the banks of the Charles.

You can rent a kayak from Charles River Canoe & Kayak and actually paddle right on out to the fireworks barge. Well, we wouldn't recommend right next to it actually, but the view can't be topped.

It will cost you though--kayak rentals start at $65 (holds 2-3 adults) and require a $1,000 deposit, but you get to keep them until the fifth and they have convienient pick up locations in Boston and Newton.

Related Stories:
·   Fourth From the Charles [Boston Globe]
·   Charles River Canoe & Kayak [Charles River Canoe & Kayak site]

Tags: Fourth of July / → All Tags

The Fourth on the Water

So the fourth is just around the corner and you have yet to make plans?!?! Why not go all out this year? This late in the game everything else will be booked anyways.

Head to NY and watch the famed Macy's fireworks from the harbor where they will literally explode right above you. As mentioned in Sunday's NY Times , the New York Water Taxi is offering special cruises for viewing the show which also include a champagne toast ($65) or an open bar and hors d'oeuvres ($125). Cruises are about three and six hours respectively and are in the fleet's signature open air boats so nothing will get in the way of you and a gigantic glowing American flag.

Related Stories:
·   Fourth of July in New York [NY Times]
·   4th of July Cruises [New York Water Taxi Site]