The Rockets Red Glare

Queens Gazette wrote about the Astoria Independence Day celebration and Senator Gianaris' participation in the festive evening.

The skies above the East River as seen from Astoria Park lit up as more than 20,000 people gathered in awe on June 30 to celebrate America’s birthday. The fireworks, provided by the Grucci Family, went off at 9:15 p.m., lighting up the skies between the Hell Gate Bridge and Robert F. Kennedy Triborough Bridge.

The fireworks display came after the Astoria Symphony Orchestra performed in front of a crowd on the Astoria Park Lawn. The lawn was filled with people sitting and standing as children blew bubbles and played with glow-in-the-dark swords sold by vendors.

The orchestra chimed away to a piece conducted by David Leibowitz entitled, “Hands Across the Sea”. Leibowitz told the crowd to listen closely as they will hear the sound of waves.

The celebration and musical performance kicked off the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition’s (CALDC) 29th Annual Waterfront Concert Series at Astoria Park. The series will continue Thursday evenings from July 14 through August 11 and will include performances by The Infernos, Nashville Attitude, The Manhattan Skyline, George Gee Swing Orchestra and Joey Dee and the Starliters. CALDC President and Master of Ceremonies George Stamatiades welcomed the crowd and thanked the sponsors who made the celebration possible.

Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. joined Stamatiades, state Senator Michael Gianaris, CALDC Executive Director.

Read the full article here.