‘Celebrate America’ fireworks rockets into 16th year

Nassau County residents enjoyed an explosive, colorful night sky above Eisenhower Park on June 29 during the 16th annual “Celebrate America” fireworks display, hosted by TD Bank and Fireworks by Grucci at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran joined with Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Phil Grucci, of Fireworks by Grucci, Commissioner of Parks Eileen Krieb and Eric Fishon, of TD Bank on June 28 to preview the event and warn of the dangers of using fireworks illegally.

“Eisenhower Park is one of the most beautiful places in Nassau County, in Long Island and in New York,” said Eric Fishon, of TD Bank, before stressing that the show is a “partnership” and collaborative effort that is six months in the making between Nassau County, TD Bank and Fireworks by Grucci.

Hundreds in Eisenhower Park and more in the surrounding area could view the free event, which kicked off with live music by 45 RPM and the School of Rock. Veterans were admitted early and granted the opportunity to choose their seat and meet ticket collectors, all of who were local veterans.

“The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our independence with family, friends and neighbors,” said Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “Let the professionals do what they do best and enjoy a fireworks show that is safe and memorable for you and your family.”

The day before the display, the NCPD Arson Bomb Squad conducted three displays to emulate what happens when a firecracker goes off in someone’s hand, a backpack full of fireworks preemptively ignites and a sparkler catches fire on someone’s shirt.

An uncooked turkey stuffed with a firecracker, representing a hand holding one, ripped to shreds when squad officers set off the explosive. “That’s your child’s hand when he thinks he’s cool for holding a lit M80 until the last minute and it goes off,” Ryder said.

Next, a backpack full of fireworks burst to pieces after the explosives inside had ignited. And finally, squad officers held a sparkler against a t-shirt and watched as it lit up within seconds.

“There’s nothing worse than picking up the newspaper on July 5 to see that someone lost a finger or a hand or an arm because of a fireworks injury,” Curran said. She reminded residents that the County legislation banned the use of sparkling devices on June 12, 2018.

The State Legislature legalized the sale of sparklers outside New York City in 2014 — as long as they are sold between June 1 and July 5 and between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo authorized county governments to either adopt similar regulations or enact stricter policies, which Nassau County chose to do with the sparkler ban.

Lieutenant Ken Strigaro, of the Arson Bomb Squad, explained that county police have a facility filled with dozens of confiscated fireworks at the county’s Fire Service Academy in Bethpage. When given a court destruction order, they light the fireworks in a steel burner that safely destroys them.

Curran asked residents to “leave it to the professionals” like the Elmont-based Grucci family, whose experience in pyrotechniques dates back to 1850 in Italy. “Our annual fireworks show and concert is a great opportunity for our residents to come together and enjoy their park,” she said.