Free Event to Feature Two Stages of Live Music, Amusement Rides, Kids Activities, Food Trucks and Fireworks by Nationally-Renowned Grucci

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the return of New Jerseyâ€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 Americaâ€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 nationâ€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 Macyâ€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 “Americaâ€s First Family of Fireworks.” Their state-of-the-art fireworks performances have been designed for many of the worldâ€s most special events, including seven consecutive U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, the Olympic Games and Worldâ€s Fairs. Guests can download a special Fireworks by Grucci mobile app on their devices to sync the live fireworks display up to the showâ€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 Americaâ€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, childrenâ€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.

TRANSPORTATION TO THE EVENT

Anyone attending the event is encouraged to arrive by foot, bike, or public transportation to Liberty State Park as parking will be extremely limited in the park and surrounding areas.

Guests may arrive on foot or by bike through the Ethel Pesin Liberty Footbridge which connects downtown Jersey City with Liberty State Park. The footbridge is located at Jersey Avenue and Mill Creek Road, and is in close proximity to the Grove Street PATH and three Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Stations:  Marin Blvd, Jersey Avenue, and the Liberty State Park station. Liberty State Park can also be reached on foot via the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway so anyone wishing to attend the event from downtown Jersey City can walk to the park along the walkway.

NJ TRANSITâ€s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) will be providing regular weekday service to Liberty State Park, via the Liberty State Park station.  Due to the high attendance forecasted for the evening fireworks and concerts, attendees are advised that HBLR service capacity is extremely limited and as a result, customers will experience delays leaving Liberty State Park station following the fireworks in particular.

Light rail vehicles can safely transport a maximum of 3,000 customers every hour in each direction.  Current estimates forecast attendance to potentially be in excess of 100,000 people.

Attendees planning to utilize Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th fireworks may encounter overcrowding, service delays due to the limited operating capacity, and extensive wait times which could span in excess of hours.  With this, attendees planning to use the HBLR should build enough time into their travel plans or consider leaving the park before the end of the fireworks or remaining in the park after the fireworks to participate in planned activities. Customers are strongly encouraged to buy roundtrip tickets from ticket vending machines in advance of the fireworks event. The Jersey Ave station will be bypassed in the evening Customers should proceed to the Liberty State Park Station following the festival..

 Ferries are available to guests of the event via Liberty Landing Ferry, a water taxi that runs every 30 minutes to the following locations. You can view their schedule via their website: http://www.libertylandingferry.com/weekend-schedule.aspx

• Liberty Landing Marina – Jersey City, New Jersey
• Warren Street – Jersey City, New Jersey
• World Financial Center Terminal – New York, New York

Water taxi service will be free for guests between 8:00pm and 11pm from Warren St to Liberty State Park. There will be NO stop at World Financial Center during this time.  Guests returning to NYC should take the Water Taxi to Warren St and proceed to the Exchange Place PATH.

Guests may Ciarrive on foot or by bike through the Ethel Pesin Liberty Footbridge which connects downtown Jersey City with Liberty State Park. The footbridge is located at Jersey Avenue and Mill Creek Road, and is in close proximity to the Grove Street PATH and three Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Stations:  Marin Blvd, Jersey Avenue, and the Liberty State Park station. Ample bike racks will be provided to ensure that you have a safe place to lock and store your bicycle during the festivities. City of Jersey City partner BikeJC will also be offering guests free bike valet services from 1pm to 10pm.

Commercial parking will be available throughout the city. Visitors are advised to use only registered and licensed parking facilities. Check with lot operators for fees and hours of operation.

Taxis and Ride Share drop off and pick up will be at the end of Jersey Avenue at the pedestrian bridge.

BAGS/BACKPARKS/COOLERS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH

Please be advised that any bags and backpacks brought to Liberty State Park are subject to search by the New Jersey State Park Police and Jersey City Police Department.

 ABOUT GRUCCI FIREWORKS

The Gruccis have transformed the night skies to the delight of millions across the globe since 1850.  Among their signature performances are countless performances in and around Las Vegas, NV., seven consecutive U.S. Presidential Inaugurations; the Olympic Games in Beijing, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Lake Placid; commemorations such as the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty and star-studded extravaganzas including the grand opening of the Atlantis Dubai and the Palm Jumeirah Island in the United Arab Emirates. On New Yearâ€s Eve 2013, a stunning performance displaying 479,651 fireworks made its debut above Dubaiâ€s iconic skyline. The Gruccis achieved their “Largest Fireworks Display” title with this performance and smashed the Guinness Book of World Recordâ€s preceding mark.

The post 3rd Annual  Jersey City’s Fourth of July “Freedom & Fireworks Festival” Village People to Headline Massive Celebration in Liberty State Park   first appeared on River View Observer.