The New York skyline lit up in red, white and blue for Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display — but this year, it was Manhattan’s West Side that got the best seats.
The West Side Highway between Christopher and Washington streets was packed to capacity more than two hours before the start of the 48th annual Macy’s fireworks display, marking the first time in a decade that the show sparkled over the Hudson River.
The show closed with the world-famous Jersey City fireworks display, launched by Grucci, five minutes downriver from Macy’s.
“We booked a room at the UN Millennium, thinking the fireworks would be over the East River, like we always remembered,” Brian Sheley, 61, who came from Colorado to see the show with his wife Deborah, told the Post.
“And after we had already booked the room, flight and hotel, we found out they would be on the Hudson and we wouldn’t be able to watch them from our room.”
Although initially disappointed – the couple had booked the trip after watching the show on television for decades – the mistake did not disappoint the couple, who still managed to get front row seats on 29th Street.
The couple enjoyed a Circle Line cruise and dinner before relaxing by the water at 4:30 p.m.
“Someone is rewarding us,” Deborah, 57, said with a smile.
The Centennial State couple weren’t the only ones surprised by the city’s new Fourth of July location — leaving viewers divided over whether they preferred the Hudson River display over the East River one.
Many people were told at the entrance that they would not be allowed to bring their folding or lawn chairs past the security checkpoints, which was previously allowed along the East River.
For the first time, outside food, drinks, coolers, backpacks, umbrellas, packaging and animals were also banned from the event.
“I don’t remember reading anywhere that you can’t bring chairs. You can’t bring chairs, you can’t bring bottles. That should have been publicized. A lot of people had to throw their chairs away,” said a frustrated Anna, who came from Boston for the festivities.
“I care about the experience, but I don’t really care about the fireworks.”
Despite a plethora of new rules, city planners apparently overlooked one key detail: There was no section for people with disabilities on the Hudson.
Caroline Martinez, of Westchester, complained to the Post that she and her disabled friend encountered multiple difficulties despite arriving at the viewing area at 2 p.m.
“They told us they didn’t have specific instructions for a disabled section. At first, they didn’t allow me to bring the chairs. Eventually, I spoke to someone higher up and convinced them that my friend couldn’t stand for that many hours and we were allowed to bring the chairs,” Martinez said.
“We stood for four hours before we sat down. I just wanted to go home.”
The crowd was filled with families, lovers and new friends, all in awe of the annual spectacle.
Three Long Island youths said the wait was long but worth it.
For 12-year-old Ameera, the best part was watching the “countdown and those going down like sparklers.”
“The fireworks were really beautiful. There were so many colors! I loved the colors,” said Hamza, 12, as an 11-year-old boy looked on shyly.
At Pier 66 near 26th Street, David Reiter, 75, of Savannah, Georgia, and Peruvian sculptor Carlo Polar, 32, enjoyed the exhibit together after meeting during the long, long wait.
Polar developed a sore back from standing for so long, but joked that he shouldn’t complain standing next to the Army and Navy veteran, who had been on his feet for 15 hours.
“It’s an honor to watch the fireworks with him,” Polar said.
“We’re just trying to feel patriotic. People don’t feel as patriotic today. But I love this country. And I wasn’t even born here. I love this country. And I’m grateful for it today.”
Polar, who lives in Queens, said he preferred the exhibit when it was held over the East River, noting that there were fewer trees to obstruct the view and less chaos.
The immigrant witnessed jostling, fighting and scuffles between angry people to get in, only to find there were no toilets to accommodate the 3,000 people.
Polar apparently had a strong influence on his new friend: Reiter told the Post he would definitely make the trip to New York again “if they had fireworks on the East Side again.”
Long queues and repetitive rules failed to deter Laura and Michael Wells. The couple arrived from Spain for a two-week holiday focused on their main goal: watching the fireworks.
“I’ve been waiting years to see the Macy’s fireworks. It’s been on our bucket list for years and we’re finally here to see it,” said Laua, 56, to which her husband, 60, added, “I’m glad we can finally say we saw the Fourth of July fireworks in New York.”