The Fourth of July in Brooklyn is so amazing that you don’t even need to leave the borough in order to have a fabulous holiday this year. From lazing around in Prospect Park, having a picnic with your loved ones and besties, to partying the night away for free at Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday July 5th, to getting a triple scoop of salted crack caramel on a cone at Ample Hills Creamery before heading off into the night for a stroll, there are plenty of things to see and do. Following is a teeny sampling of what to expect for the Fourth of July in Brooklyn. See the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, Up Close and Personal Where’s Brooklyn at? Under the bridge is where! After several years of ignoring the fact that many Brooklynites don’t leave Brooklyn on July 4th and once it became increasingly clear that many people actually come to Brooklyn to celebrate this country’s birthday, the Macy’s Fireworks crew finally brought the fireworks back to the East River. This means that you don’t have to cross any bridges to see the lights in the sky. Once again, you can get a seagull’s eye view of the fireworks if you plant yourself somewhere in Brooklyn Bridge Park or on the Promenade. According to the New York Times, thanks to Hizzoner Mayor De Blasio’s talks with Macy’s executives back when he was a public advocate, more areas of Brooklyn and Queens get to see the fireworks, thanks to the double barge that will be parked underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Neighborhoods like Bushwick and Williamsburg can expect much better views than previous years. Come as early as you can; there’s no need to point out that since they’ve built it, the crowds will come. If you want a spectacular, out-of-this-world view, purchase your tickets yesterday to the Fourth of July Fireworks event at The Grange, Brooklyn’s awesome rooftop farm/food coop/event space. For $125 per person, beat the crowds, sit back and relax while the Macy’s fireworks explode overhead. Chow down on awesome summer BBQ fare like mac and cheese, spiced pickles, Nashville-style fried chicken, butter pound cake, triple chocolate brownies and 12-hour pulled pork. Ice-cold beers and other beverages will cool you down as you’re reminded for the millionth time that, in spite of its mortgage-like rents and frenetic pace, this truly is the greatest city on earth and spending the Fourth of July in Brooklyn was your best idea yet! Fourth of July in Brooklyn at a Cyclones Game The Williamsport Crosscutters play the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday, July 4th. If you’ve never been to a Cyclones game, there’s no day like Independence Day to enjoy the game that truly lives up to the phrase “as American as apple pie.” You can’t have a much better Fourth of July in Brooklyn than going to a Cyclones Game. MCU Park in Coney Island is a baseball fan’s dream, but it’s also a great place to spend the day for people who couldn’t give two foul balls about who’s on first. MCU Park has awesome themed nights like Seinfeld Nights where fans can enjoy interactive Seinfeld-themed games and experiences; Like Elaine dancing contests, drawings where you can win prizes if you prove that you’re a latex salesman a la George Costanza. Wolf down hot dogs and beer before the Fireworks while enjoying the game. There’s a fireworks show at the end of the game that’s so spectacular that you won’t even miss the Macy’s fireworks going on on the other side of Brooklyn. Ready to go? Game time’s at 6pm. Brooklyn Cyclones vs. the Williamsport Crosscutters, Saturday, July 4th 2015@6p.m @ MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 Watch People Gorge at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen clips of it online, and now you’ll get to see all the chewing, gnawing, gulping and burping up close and personal when you head to the annual Fourth of July Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest. Food eating contests are always popular; there’s something morbidly fascinating about watching men and women stuff themselves with massive quantities of food no normal human could even think of consuming. There’s something even more awesome when said contest is held on a (hopefully) brilliantly sunny day with the iconic Cyclone rollercoaster providing the perfect backdrop. Qualifying events have been going on around the country, so you’ll be able to see if anyone will be able to knock champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut off of his prize-winning buns! It’s a mob scene, so get there early. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, July 4th 2015 @ Corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island. | Website
