They owned the night like the Fourth of July.
Astoria celebrated Independence Day early on June 30, as thousands gathered on the great lawn at Astoria Park for a Queens Symphony Orchestra concert, followed by a fireworks extravaganza.
The Central Astoria Local Development Corporation sponsored the event, and from the looks of things, everyone who turned out for the celebration had a blast. The orchestra performed patriotic tunes that got everyone into the spirit before the Grucci fireworks lit up the sky.
Here’s a video of the fireworks display from YouTube, taken from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.
There’s more pyrotechnics to come tonight, of course, with the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza lighting up the skies over the East River just after 9 p.m. Thousands will be heading to the Long Island City waterfront to watch the fireworks live; if you can’t get there in person, tune into NBC starting at 9 p.m.
Meanwhile, the NYPD is again cracking down on individuals who are caught possessing, selling and/or using fireworks illegally in Queens and other parts of the city. Anyone caught possessing fireworks is subject to arrest and vehicle confiscation.
The NYPD offers a $1,000 reward to any individual who confidentially reports information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals illegally possessing, selling and/or using fireworks. Call 911 for crimes in progress or 311 to provide information.
