Photo caption: SKYROCKETS IN FLIGHT Almost 75,000 pounds of fireworks will explode at Macy’s July 4th fireworks show.

Coney Island Fireworks
This year, Brooklynites get a head start on Independence Day—the Coney Island fireworks go off Thursday 3. Beachcombers can also sing karaoke for prizes in front of the Wonder Wheel (we suggest “Yankee Doodle Dandy” or “God Bless the USA”) or head to Coney Island USA (1208 Surf Ave at 12th St) for sleight-of-hand and freak-show  stunts from Albert Cadabra and Gal Friday’s 10pm Skullduggery & Skin Show. Because, really, what celebrates the American spirit like tattooed ladies and forked-tongued fire-eaters?
FREE Deno’s Wonder Wheel, Boardwalk and W 12th, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-449-8836, wonderwheel.com). Thu 3 at 9:30pm.

Jones Beach Fireworks Spectacular
Producers of this 14th annual Long Island celebration had to scramble to find sponsorships this year, but area auto dealers stepped in to save the day with a big fat check. More than 275,000 people are expected to take in a colossal kaleidoscopic display, set to an array of patriotic songs. With the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop, you’ll be halfway to “from sea to shining sea.” FREE Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, New York (631-321-3510). Travel: LIRR to Freeport, then take JB62 bus to Jones Beach. 9:30pm.

Liberty State Park Fireworks
North Jersey is used to being in New York’s shadow 364 days a year. But today, it take the lead with an all-day Liberty Fest, starting at 2pm near the historic railroad terminal. Enjoy free ice cream, a games tent and music from the Persuaders, Ted Mills, Joe Bataan, DJ Omar and others in the daytime, then watch the sparks fly starting at 9pm. FREE Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ (201-915-3403). Travel: PATH train to Exchange Pl, then take the light rail to Liberty State Park. 9pm.

Roosevelt Island July 4th Fireworks Festival
If you want to see the fireworks over the East River but you’re not eager to face the mobs along the FDR, tram it to Roosevelt Island for a unique vantage point. The $20 cover charge keeps the crowd to a minimum, and you can actually sit down as you listen to music from the Jazz Collective, alterna-rockers Citizens of Contrary Knowledge, salsa star Victor Quezada and calypso-soca sextet the Therapy Band. (Keep the little ones occupied with clowns, face painters, stilt walkers and rides.) Working up an appetite waiting for the big lights? Chow down on pork ribs and spice-rubbed wings from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
South Point Park, Roosevelt Island (888-695-0888, roosevelt-island.ny.us). Gates open 5pm, $20 (advance tickets required).

The 32nd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
This year, Macy’s pyrotechnic panoply—the big daddy of fireworks shows—pulls double duty, honoring both the birth of the nation and the department store’s 150th anniversary. More than 35,000 shells will explode into swirling silver fountains, red flashing strobes, peonys and other breathtaking effects. The East River barges have been moved south, to between 10th and 23rd Streets (so the fireworks will better frame the city skyline) and a new color, orange, has been added to the prismatic display. Another new development: The computer firing system has been adjusted to let the fireworks fill more of the night sky—from nearly straight across the water to up to 1,200 feet in the air. “There’s been a lot of preparation for this—testing the shells in the Mojave, figuring out all the cues,” says Gary Sousa, who choreographed the show with his brother James. “Just for this final prep, we’ve had a team of about 50 people working on it for almost two weeks.” There are countless places to get a great views—including the Brooklyn Promenade, Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, and the FDR Drive (which will be closed to traffic 7–10pm)—but the bridges are off limits to pedestrians. FREE Barges located on the East River between 10th and 23rd Sts, and across from South Street Seaport (macys.com). Approximately 9:25pm.

Do-it-yourself fireworks
New York is one of only five states that ban the sale, possession and use of fireworks, but that won’t stop some Gothamites from setting off their own light shows on Independence Day. Not that we condone such things, but in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, nonresidents—and only nonresidents—can purchase all manner of Roman candles and rockets permit-free. The transportation of those goods back into New York, however, is a violation of state law. But isn’t that why our forefathers fought the British? (No, seriously—we didn’t do very well in history class.)—Andrew Frisicano