Happy Birthday America!
New Yorkers celebrated Independence Day 2011 with an annual tradition: Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. The nation’s biggest fireworks display featured more than 40,000 fireworks launched from six barges on the Hudson River.
Starting at 9:20 pm, an array of red, white and blue fireworks in creative arrangements (3D cubes, smiley faces) lit up the Manhattan skyline. Thousands of people flocked to the West Side to experience the show in person.
I bypassed the crowds by standing near 12th Street, below the recommended viewing area (between 22nd and 59th Streets). I didn’t spend a dime and had an excellent view of the fireworks.
>> Scroll down for photos of the 2011 Macy’s Fireworks display.
The fireworks display began after nightfall, and followed a particularly vivid sunset in Manhattan.
Police prevented pedestrians from crossing into Hudson River Park outside of the designated viewing areas, so New Yorkers stood on the east side of the highway to watch the fireworks.
While we couldn’t hear the soundtrack from our vantage point near 12th Street, we had a clear view of the fireworks from all six barges. (When I got back to my apartment, I watched NBC’s coverage of the fireworks so I could hear the music).
The pink fireworks popped against the black sky.
This is the third year the fireworks display was held on the Hudson River. Formerly the show took place on the other side of Manhattan, on the East River.
Camera phones were out in force, especially during the show’s finale.
There was no lull during the 25 minute show; still, it ended with a bang. A series of massive fireworks blanketed the sky and left dusty clouds in their wake.
Traffic on the West Side Highway continued to flow during the display– although the fireworks must have been distracting to drivers!
Viewers clapped and cheered during several impressive fireworks sequences and whenever smiley faces appeared.
The grand finale brought to mind the “rockets red glare” mentioned in the Star Spangled Banner.
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I love the photos. I’ve always wanted to visit the US during July 4th. It looks like such a good time.
How does our 4th of July celebration compare to Canada Day? am very curious about our northern neighbor’s independence celebrations!
These are amazing photos girl. I love how colorful they are so festival. Happy July 4th by the way.
Happy 4th Sarah! Did you see the NYC fireworks in person?
So beautiful! You got some really awesome shots with your camera especially at night!
Thanks Alyson! I had a great view of the fireworks– love that NYC has so many free events like this one 🙂
Wow, talk about being immersed into the experience. I watched these last night on TV and the soundtrack was amazing but I bet being there live was worth any sacrifice of sound. Great shots Leslie!!
Thanks Jeff! Back in the olden days (like, 5 years ago) I could depend on other viewers to have their radios out and play the soundtrack as we watched the fireworks. Guess that is one disadvantage of switching to a smartphone, digital world 😉
wow i didnt know you were getting these awesome shots while i was standing right next to you! you have good timing with the camera to catch the explosions!
You just made me literally LOLed. !!!!
Hehe… I’m an incognito photographer!
Wow some nice photos here Leslie!! 🙂 It’s good to be here celebrating with everyone!!
Those are such great firework shots! The atmosphere must have been incredible.
Really nice pictures.Your timing is impressive to capture these.Thanks for the eye candy. 🙂
These are great photos. We saw the same show, but from the roof-deck of our building in Chelsea. We looked out over the Hudson around 28th street. The show was amazing, such a beautiful evening.
Chicago really cut back on their fireworks this year. I went to a suburban one instead and glad I did as it was impressive. Looks like some sweet fireworks in New York.
Great photos Leslie! Looks like you had a great time. I didn’t see many blog posts about the 4th of July, so well done for doing that!
NYC has the best fireworks display. I watched it live one year and still remember it as the best show I’ve ever seen. Great photos, thanks for sharing!
You got some great photos, I’m impressed. It’s not easy to get good shots of fireworks! I can’t even imagine how great the NYC show must have been, and I was super impressed with the one I saw in Seattle.
Hope you had a great 4th Leslie!
I am a sucker for fireworks pictures (and fireworks themselves). These look fantastic!
What great photos. I remember those from when I lived in NYC. They are some of the BEST fireworks I ever saw in my long life.
Amazing photos babe! I LOVE fireworks! It would be nice to watch them live 🙂 Happy Independence Day!