Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers celebrated America’s birthday last night under a sky filled with fireworks and raindrops.
“It’s a great time. It’s what our country’s all about,” said NYPD Sgt. Tony Santini, who was stationed on the Manhattan side of the East River for the Macy’s spectacular.
But, the cop added, “It’s too bad the weather didn’t hold up.”
Crowds seemed lighter than usual, as the show went off as scheduled despite the rain.
Luke Vercia of Queens had a special reason for braving the weather.
“Watching these fireworks is important to my family,” he said.
“My cousin is stationed in Iraq, and he sent me an e-mail telling us to watch the fireworks and think of him.”
Others simply enjoyed the spectacle.
“It’s just fabulous,” said Nora Regal, 26, of Brooklyn. “I love how the water and the sky turn the same color as the fireworks.”
Eight-year-old Jasmine McKenzie said, “I’m glad my daddy brought me here!”
Her father, Paul Dixon, 47, who immigrated to the city from Jamaica said, “Honest to God, this is independence. There’s nothing like watching this.”
Sunny Atkins, 18, of Manhattan was a first-time watcher.
“I moved to New York yesterday from Iowa,” she said. “This is the perfect time to be here, even if it is raining.”
On Long Island, a fireworks display at Jones Beach was canceled because of the rain.
Earlier in the day, Margie Miller, 39, strolled the boardwalk in Coney Island despite the rain clouds gathering overhead.
“It’s the best holiday of the year; it’s the celebration of America. What better holiday could there be?” she asked.
Coney Island was filled with families playing volleyball, trying their luck at arcade games, enjoying the rides – and, of course, eating hot dogs by the thousands.
Mayor Bloomberg marched in the 97th Annual Travis Fourth of July parade on Staten Island, in which he has participated every year since he took office in 2002.
Bloomberg walked much of the way alongside Army Capt. Adam Scher, 24, who is with the 101st Airborne Division. Scher completed a year’s tour in Iraq last fall, but is heading back later in the year.
“It’s a great day for the United States, a day to remind ourselves about our freedoms,” the mayor said, adding that the country should be grateful to the soldiers overseas.
Additional reporting by Maggie Haberman, Ethan Pack, Sam Goldsmith and Georgett Robertslore[email protected]