New Yorkers had a blast on the Fourth of July after the remains of Hurricane Arthur beat it out of town in time for a spectacular Macy’s fireworks display.
“I loved it, it was so awesome,’’ said Caitlin Robertson, 8, of upstate Poughkeepsie, as she watched from Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “The butterfly ones were my favorite — the purple ones. I want to come back every year now.”
Luis Fonseca, 23, of Brooklyn, agreed. “It was a great show. It’s always a great show,’’ he said. “It’s a good feeling to have it back on the East River. It’s a once-a-year patriotic display. You’ve got to support the red, white and blue.’’
And Carolyn Tharp, 30, of Manhattan, said: “I look forward to these fireworks every year. I’m always struck by their beauty.’’
The storm caused some difficulty for the event, as strong currents in the river forced the repositioning of a fireworks barge.
After the display ended, a smoldering piece of one of the fireworks shot from the Brooklyn Bridge landed on the top of the span’s Manhattan-side tower and caused a small fire.
It was more strange trouble for the Bridge. Earlier in the week, a wall near the bridge’s pedestrian entrance collapsed during heavy rain, slightly injuring five people.
Earlier Friday, New Yorkers celebrated the holiday at parades, a hot-dog-eating contest and by strolling in the rain.
“What other way to spend the Fourth of July?” said Cynthia Conde, 34, of Queens, as she walked along the boardwalk on rainy Coney Island.
Nearby, hundreds gathered under ponchos and umbrellas for the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, cheering as champion chomper Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won both the competition and his girlfriend’s betrothal.
“I can’t live without you,” said Chestnut, down on bended knee and reaching for the hand of fellow competitive eater Neslie Ricasa.
“Will you marry me?” he asked as the crowd roared and Ricasa put her free hand to her face, shrieking, “Yes!”
Chestnut then went on to his eighth consecutive win in the famous frankfurter free-for-all, downing an impressive 61 dogs and buns.
“I was preparing to eat 70-plus hot dogs today,” he said.
Coincidentally, the average American also eats an average of 70 hot dogs — in a year.
Hurricane Arthur spoiled picnics and beach parties from North Carolina up through New England — but caused minimal damage. There were no reported deaths or injuries.