Coney lights up the sky with annual fireworks show

BY JAIME DEJESUS
jdejesus@brooklynreporter.com

A spectacular day in Coney.

On Wednesday, July 4, Coney celebrated Independence Day with a bevy of events, capped off by the annual Fourth of July Steeplechase Spectacular Fireworks Show at the boardwalk.

This marked the fifth annual free fireworks show put on display by the Alliance for Coney Island.

A large group of spectators took to the boardwalk at around 9:30 p.m. to view the show.

“We stand out from other locations because there’s so much more to do in Coney Island than other locations who have fireworks shows,” said Cindy Godla, events, marketing and public relations manager for the Alliance. “We have tons of attractions, amusement rides and eateries to enjoy before and after the fireworks. A lot of our guests spend the entire day in Coney Island.”

Godla also discussed the holiday as a whole in Coney.

“Fourth of July in Coney Island went great,” she said. “We had a large turnout throughout the course of the day for all the different activities happening. From the weather bringing us a beautiful beach day and the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to the Brooklyn Cyclones game at MCU Stadium and the fireworks show in the evening, there was plenty to do.”

Although there are many places for New Yorkers to catch some fireworks, there’s something about Coney Island that makes it special for its attendees, she said.

“We love to be able to show visitors how great Coney Island is,” said Godla. “Many people think of Coney Island as either a beach, an amusement area or a neighborhood but never really connect all three together. When they come to Coney Island and see all the new and exciting changes it really helps breathe a new perspective into them and it’s great to see how excited they are to come here.”

It doesn’t end with the Fourth, Godla added.

“We do weekly fireworks show every Friday night in the summer, so for anyone who missed it, they can join us every Friday night at 9:30 until August 31st,” she said.