Millions expected to view New York City July 4 fireworks

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Following the cancellation of last year's July 4th fireworks display, New York will return to the traditional spectacular this year.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday that Macy's department store will again host the fireworks show, after the Coronavirus pandemic led officials to schedule a series of smaller shows in 2020 to prevent large crowds from gathering.

The announcement is the latest about upcoming events marking the reemergence of New York City, following more than a year of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections.

"This will be the biggest show yet," de Blasio said at a news conference, calling the fireworks a "tremendous sign of the rebirth of New York City."

Crowds will again gather along the East River, which separates Manhattan from the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, to watch the fireworks on July 4th.

Also, New Yorkers will have the option of watching from areas reserved for those who have been vaccinated. Other areas will be open to unvaccinated individuals.

In another sign of the ending of Covid restrictions, New York has scheduled a mega-concert in Central Park as part of a week-long celebration of the city's reopening.

The musicians scheduled to perform has not yet been announced.

Just as New York has begun opening, so Chicago, the third-largest city in the country, ended all capacity restrictions on Friday. Philadelphia has also ended its final COVID-19 restrictions - the indoor mask mandate and the 11:00 p.m. last call for restaurants are no longer being enforced.