Fireworks to follow July 4 festivals

NEW YORK - The nation's largest fireworks show will light up the skies over the Hudson River straddling New York and New Jersey, to celebrate American Independence Day.

Budget cuts have forced communities around the U.Sto pull the plug on the pyrotechnics, but the gigantic Macy's fireworks show will continue on Manhattan's West Side, where it moved in 2009 after eight years on the East River.

In the city that's home to the $1,000 umbrella and the $175 cheeseburger, tickets have been sold at $1,450 a pair for one sweet spot to see the fireworks that are free for anyone standing on a nearby street corner or at a window.

Hudson Terrace, a rooftop bar near the river, sold 250 tickets to watch the fireworks at prices from $150 to $1,450 a couple.

"The fireworks were definitely a huge draw for us," said Erika London, an event planner at the bar.

The views are even better from the Circle Line's sightseeing boats. Sunday night tickets for all seven of the cruise line's vessels sold out a week in advance.

The fireworks show will relocate to the Statue of Liberty next year in honour of Lady Liberty's 125th anniversary and will move around after that.

Sunday's show will be broadcast from a cruise ship called the Norwegian Epic and will feature performances by teen sensation Justin Bieber and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The show will air live on national TV.

- AP