JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the return of New Jersey’s premier Fourth of July concert and fireworks celebration, the Jersey City “Freedom & Fireworks Festival,” at Liberty State Park, with fireworks by nationally-acclaimed Grucci, live musical performances including headliner “Village People,” amusement rides, food and refreshment vendors, and entertainment for all ages.
The event, which is free and open to the public will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4, 2016 at Liberty State Park. The day-long outdoor celebration is expected to draw over 125,000 people to Liberty State Park, largely considered the most patriotic destination in the country to celebrate America’s independence with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, and the Jersey City and New York City skylines.
“Liberty State Park in Jersey City offers unrivaled views and a place for neighbors to join their community in celebration. There is no greater place to gather for our nation’s independence,” said Mayor Fulop. “We are continuing our tradition of providing residents and visitors a dynamic family celebration with a breathtaking finale of fireworks.”
Mayor Fulop has worked to fill the void of a fireworks show along the Hudson for residents of Jersey City, northern New Jersey, and the west side of New York City after learning that New York City was moving the Macy’s Fireworks display to the East River. Since Mayor Fulop began the tradition in 2014, the administration intends on continuing to make Jersey City one of the premier Independence Day events in the nation.
The 22-minute fireworks display, which will be visible from locations in Jersey City and the west side of Manhattan, will be performed by the renowned fireworks entertainment production company, Fireworks by Grucci, known as “America’s First Family of Fireworks.” Their state-of-the-art fireworks performances have been designed for many of the world’s most special events, including seven consecutive U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, the Olympic Games and World’s Fairs. Guests can download a special Fireworks by Grucci mobile app on their devices to sync the live fireworks display up to the show’s music.
“We are honored and delighted to once again collaborate with Mayor Fulop and the city of Jersey City to provide a fireworks performance to celebrate our freedom and our great nation.” said CEO and Creative Director Phil Grucci. “As the designer and choreographer of this event, the City of Jersey City will provide an unparalleled stage to celebrate America’s Independence. We dedicate this performance to all of the men and women who provide us the freedom we enjoy on a daily basis.”
In addition to the Village People, other musical acts include Eliza Neals, Shayfer James, and People In Disguise. The festival will also feature an array of food and beverage options, children’s entertainment, recreational activities and amusement rides for all ages. Traveling kite performance group the Wind Wolves will be showcasing patriotically-themed stunt and team kite performances paired to music throughout the day.
Amusement rides have been expanded this year to include a carousel, 90′ ferris wheel, an assortment of bounce houses, and more mechanical rides. In addition to dozens of food vendors, Restaurant Development Group will be hosting a beer garden.
“The Jersey City waterfront is quite simply the best spot to watch fireworks from on the Fourth of July – with the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island framing the show, there is no better place to be,” said Michael DeMarco, President and COO of Mack-Cali. “Mack-Cali is incredibly proud to be part of bringing this quintessential piece of the Independence Day celebration to Liberty State Park.”
“We are proud to support this year’s Fourth of July Festivities in Jersey City,” said Josh Meltzer, Regional Head of Public Policy for Airbnb. “Thanks to Mayor Fulop’s leadership, Jersey City is the first city in the region to embrace home sharing, and as a result visitors from around the world can experience all that Jersey City has to offer the same way locals do.”
Additional sponsors for the event include Spear Street Capital, Eglentowicz Demolition &
Environmental Services, Suntex Marinas, and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC).
A detailed schedule of events, including musical acts and additional entertainment, can be found at www.freedomandfireworks.com
