A few pics from last night's fireworks shows

Some pics as promised of the fireworks shows of both Jersey City and the Macy's show. Johnny's gotta say if you ever get the chance to go up the 102 floors to the WTC observation deck and watch the shows from above do it once in life. You get to see the Jersey City show, the Macy's show, the Newark show the fireworks show in Berwyn Illinois and about everywhere else within 3000 miles.

If the spacing is off below it's because instead of setting limits on the image sizes we're letting you click on them for the big size to use them for a screensaver or what not. Johnny doesn't worry about his images showing up elsewhere as long as they aren't being used to sell anything or someone claiming it as theirs.

Jersey City at sunset

A couple of the show over Jersey City

And now one of the Macy's fireworks over the East River next to the Brooklyn Bridge

Finally, after the fireworks on both sides of Manhattan Island and while there was still smoke hanging in the air Johnny took one of his favorite pictures ever. Lying down to rest his camera on a ledge so as to be very still, he got a very blue looking Empire State Building looking down 5th Avenue to the monument in Washington Square Park

Macy's is moving the fireworks show back to the East River this year...*yawn*

All the caterwauling and sniveling from New York City residents about the 4th of July Macy's fireworks show over the Hudson River couldn't move old mayor Montgomery Burns to move it back to the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge. However Brooklyn resident and NYC mayor Bill deBlasio leaned on Macy's to move it back. So back it goes to NYC for this year anyway and we're not expecting a great outcry from New Jersey residents over the decision, certainly not the screeching like barn owls shown by New Yorkers back in 2009. New Jersey residents don't get that jacked up over something lasting forty five minutes. The last time that happened was a couple years back when the Devils eliminated the Rangers with a strong third period and an even better one minute overtime:

Dear NYC, we'll be at the beach,

Peace out,

NJ

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.

We could live with a compromise...

...Many New Yorkers aren't quite over the fact Macy's has blown up their fireworks show every year since 2009 on the Hudson River and want back what they call their birthright (OK, maybe not birthright). Agitators NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio are hot and heavy after Macy's to move the fireworks back to the East River where only New Yorkers can see them. They actually have a petition (which we feel no obligation to link to) to get the Macy's Fireworks moved back exclusively to the East River site.

When someone asked if alternating between the two sites would be acceptable they said only "That'd be better than what we've got now."

Johnny could get behind an alternating schedule. It certainly wouldn't be the worst thing. It would allow New Yorkers, so put upon, to feel extra special like they deep down know they are once every two years. Then the rest of us *rabble would get our shot in the off years.

*Rabble -- The Hoboken waterfront on July 4

While July may seem like a long way off...

It is always best to plan ahead. While we're not saying go line the river up in FuHo just yet, Macy's announced the July 4th fireworks will once again be held on the Hudson River, eschewing those with properties on the East River. While we're sure there will be plenty of whining and gnashing of teeth over the Hudson River choice by some New Yorkers, we think it is the correct call. As a consolation perhaps they will have fireworks at another New Jersey landmark visible from Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty.

A exceptional view of the Macy's Fireworks finale last night

A YouTube user named NJPhotographer62 has been kind enough to favor us with his video of last night's fireworks finale. It's really amazing video.

So, where are you sitting for the Macy's fireworks?

Do you have a favorite or secret spot? Tell us.

Johnny's gotta run to Pennsylvania and pick up the goods later today, he's just that kind of rulebreaker. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission applies especially to bottle rockets.

Suck on that Brooklyn and Queens, Macy's fireworks on the Hudson River again this year

Sorry those with a view of the East River, the Macy's show will be on the Hudson River for the third year in a row. All the good boys and girls on the New Jersey side, from Jersey City to Weehawken will be getting the best views this July 4th.

Johnny will most likely get out the Jersey City Desk News Raft where he'll be able to drift around the river on the current and take pics and video if the tides aren't dragging him towards the Atlantic Ocean, in which case be a pal and rescue Johnny's dumb ass.

If you are planning on heading to Hoboken for the Macy's fireworks here's some news you can use

People of Jersey City and outlying areas, if you are planning on taking in the Macy's fireworks from somewhere along the river in Hoboken, NJ Transit has some good tips on how to get there with the least amount of hassle. For Jersey City residents heading up to FuHo (And the Jersey City suits say our waterfront won't really have the most optimum viewing as that will actually be Weehawken and Hoboken) that'll mean taking the PATH train but elsewhere NJ Tranist trains will be your best bet.

Now if you have too much to drink in FuHo or become some kind of public nuisance and get arrested, try not peeing on their fingerprint machine.

Everything our forefathers fought for, the liberty, the freedom, all of it is being tossed in the trashbin by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer July 4

It seems Frau Zimmer has decided to become a powerful entity unto herself issuing all kinds of edicts, travel restrictions, rules (even on property you may well own) and check points around town for the expected influx of happy Macy's fireworks viewers.

First a portion of her letter to the public:

All available police officers, firefighters, the Office of Emergency Management, and other municipal officials will be enforcing all codes and regulations regarding public behavior with a zero tolerance level.
This includes an absolute restriction on parties or gatherings on rooftops for viewing of the fireworks celebration unless said property has been properly zoned and approved for rooftop access. Gathering on fire escapes is strictly prohibited. The use of balconies, porches, or any other structures for viewing will be strictly enforced within the confines of the codes for such structures. It is imperative that no overcrowding occur in any of these locations. All codes for the use of rooftops and other aforementioned structures will be strictly enforced with a zero tolerance policy.
No alcohol will be permitted on any walkways or parks along the waterfront. Visitors will need to pass through checkpoints to access the waterfront. Coolers with non-alcoholic refreshments will be permitted access.

Yeah, after all, Americans hate getting together and having parties to celebrate the birth of their nation.

So if you like to be out on your porch or balcony you could be cited. Wanna know why? It really has nothing to do with YOUR safety but police detest citizens holding any kind of higher ground than themselves hence they get all defensive and overreact to balcony situations. Frau Zimmer appears to be doing their bidding for them here. No roof viewing? Please. Dawn, Johnny's from Jersey City and will be on his roof (and would be if you ran JC anyway) or the beautiful walkway along the Hudson in Jersey City (much nicer than the FuHo section truth be told) skipping FuHo entirely. Maybe after your little tantrum Johnny will be forced to avoid FuHo more and more for which he intends to call some of the businesses where he sometimes does buy goods and services and telling them why his money is no longer coming in.

CHECKPOINTS?! CHECKPOINTS?! Good lord, so in essence the freedoms fought and died for by our brave Revolutionary forefathers will be suspended by Dawn Zimmer and the FuHo police ON the 4th of July. What a perfect dichotomy.

Also on the list of don't set forth by Mayor (Hey I got this job by default) Zimmer:
*No laughing
*No running
*No saying "ooooooooo and Ahhhhhh" as the shells burst
*No singing
*No fun of any kind, just sit there, watch and shut your pie holes.

Children of Sombertown, your days of fun are OVER.

(FuHo Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Jersey City Desk file photo)

Late night open thread

A simply AMAZING show put on by Macy's tonight. Awesome in its audacity of THAT many shells. You'd worry some cool shots and shells could get lost in the sheer number, but it was all so well done.

Perhaps the wildest part of a wonderful evening was the Oklahoma Land Rush that let loose on the Hudson River the moment the fireworks had burst their last shell. It was insane people. Big boats, little boats, sailboats, boats with no lights and all these boats either creating or getting wailed by the wakes running in every direction. THAT was worth seeing. So many wayfaring seafamilies almost met their end in Davy Jones' Locker on the Hudson.

Here is some video taken by Johnny himself (Note his attempt at hilarity for blaming a stupid American flag for ruining a perfectly good Independence Day by blocking his shot) from his vantage point on the Hudson tonight especially for you the Jersey City Desk reader. We have some excellent other video we hope to share with you in the upcoming days.