Happy Independence Day America! What's that? You want to spend it in Hoboken?

And Hoboken will host thousands of their closest friends as they do twice a year as the Macy's fireworks are set to blow at 9:23pm. First off, before we get to our friends we love to kid, Bayonne and Kearny also have great shows tonight:

Bayonne: A concert Wednesday with John Christian and Soiree will begin at 7 p.m. at 16th Street Park. There will be inflatable rides for children and fireworks are scheduled for dusk. bayonnenj.org/parks.htm or (201) 858-6122.
Kearny: The Fourth of July celebration Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Field on Belgrove Drive will feature cartoon characters, balloon art, mimes, a magic show and inflatable attractions. The Garden State Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m., with a fireworks display at dusk from the Frank A. Vincent Marina. kearnynj.org or (201) 955-7400.

Now, if you're like many you'll hopefully be driving into Hoboken starting, mmmm, now. Johnny says hopefully as he has all of the Hoboken emergency channels on speed dial today on his listening device of doom. Driving? It's never been easier. You know Hoboken, EZ In-EZ Out. It was almost their nickname instead of The Mile Square City. You'd be surprised how many cars The Mile Square City can fit. If you insist on using the trains NJ Transit and PATH will accommodate you with extra trips but you'd seriously better get going. And once you get off the trains RUN for God's sake, RUN down to the river flailing your lawnchairs and food coolers to get the best vantage spots. Kind of like the raw army recruits in Bill Murray's platoon in Stripes running willy nilly down a muddy embankment into trees, logs, and in John Candy's case, into the underbrush.

FuHo officials remind the citizens on this hot and humid day no alcohol is allowed in public places but who are we to tell people in Hoboken how to drink? Also of safety note the "Who can sneak in the biggest firework into the crowd" contest has been cancelled after last year's unfortunate Denny Pratt tragedy.

Our old friend Sooty the Clown will once again be master of ceremonies over by the last part of Sinatra Drive that hasn't collapsed into the Hudson River for the kids 10 and under who love playing sparkler tag. Sooty reminds you the fun's not over when the sparkler goes out. Just listen to the cool noise it makes when it hits the river.

After the good people at Macy's (and a tip of the cap to them, they give pretty selflessly) give their amazing show it's time to get the hell out. The people in cars will disperse in mere minutes while the trains will back up. So if you came with a giant group why not make your departure through downtown Hoboken a memorable one? Line up and go all Stannis Baratheon and yell "Come with me and take this city!" and begin the charge to the PATH.

Have a good old American celebration and quality time with your fellow Americans today friends, if only for one day and one wonderful night.